For Kids · 3 min with a grown-up
God gave Ezekiel messages for the lands all around Jerusalem — the neighbors. God had been watching how the neighbors acted when His people were having a hard time.
Today's Story
God told Ezekiel to send a message to the lands next door to Jerusalem.
There were several neighbor lands — places with names like Ammon and Moab and Edom, and the land of the Philistines. They lived right nearby, like neighbors on your street.
Here was the problem. When hard times came to God's people, the neighbors did not feel sad for them. They did not run over to help. Instead, they clapped. They laughed. They pointed and said, “Ha! Look what happened to you!”
God saw all of it. And God was not pleased. He said to the neighbors, “I saw how you cheered when My people were hurting. That was not kind. You will learn that I am the real God, and I care how everyone treats each other.”
It is never kind to laugh when someone else is having a hard day. God wants us to be the kind of people who run toward someone who is hurting — to help, not to giggle.
God watches over everyone, near and far. And He cares about kindness, every single time.
A Big Word
Talk About It
- Have you ever seen someone laugh at a person who got hurt or made a mistake? How do you think that felt for the person?
- The neighbors cheered instead of helping. What is one kind thing you could do for someone who is having a hard day?
- God said He cares how everyone treats each other. Why do you think kindness matters so much to God?