Week 218 · Old Testament · about 3 minutes · 266 words
📖 Deuteronomy 23
Deuteronomy 23 opens with these words: “He who is emasculated by crushing or cutting shall not enter into Yahweh’s assembly.” The line to keep is Deuteronomy 23:5: “Nevertheless Yahweh your God wouldn’t listen to Balaam; but Yahweh your God turned the curse into a blessing to you, because Yahweh your God loved you.” Carry the word “neverthele” from that verse into the rest of the day.
Deuteronomy 23 is a real chapter from the Old Testament. It starts, “He who is emasculated by crushing or cutting shall not enter into Yahweh’s assembly.” That is not a motto invented for a poster. It is the first sentence a family hears when this page is opened at night.
Keep going a little further. The chapter also says, “You shall have a trowel among your weapons. It shall be, when you relieve yourself, you shall dig with it, and shall turn back and cover your excrement;” Deuteronomy 23 opens with these words: “He who is emasculated by crushing or cutting shall not enter into Yahweh’s assembly.” The line to keep is Deuteronomy 23:5: “Nevertheless Yahweh your God wouldn’t listen to Balaam; but Yahweh your God turned the curse into a blessing to you, because Yahweh your God loved you.” Carry the word “neverthele” from that verse into the rest of the day.
The line worth learning out loud is Deuteronomy 23:5: “Nevertheless Yahweh your God wouldn’t listen to Balaam; but Yahweh your God turned the curse into a blessing to you, because Yahweh your God loved you.” If the rest of the chapter feels crowded, hold that one sentence until the room is quiet.
What happens first in Deuteronomy 23? Then try this: Read “Nevertheless Yahweh your God wouldn’t listen to Balaam; but Yahweh your God turned the curse into a blessing…” once more. What does it show you about God? You do not have to finish every verse. You can close the book after the memory verse and still have read the Bible together.
“Nevertheless Yahweh your God wouldn’t listen to Balaam; but Yahweh your God turned the curse into a blessing to you, because Yahweh your God loved you.”
Deuteronomy 23:5 · Deuteronomy 23
Say it
Practice Deuteronomy 23:5
Tap the words in order. The blanks follow the verse from left to right.
NeverthelessYahwehyourGodwouldn’tlistentoBalaam;butYahwehyourGodthecurseintoablessingtoyou,becauseGodlovedyou.
Talk about it
- What happens first in Deuteronomy 23?
- Read “Nevertheless Yahweh your God wouldn’t listen to Balaam; but Yahweh your God turned the curse into a blessing…” once more. What does it show you about God?
- Who can you tell one sentence from Deuteronomy 23 before bedtime?
Prayer
Father, thank you for Deuteronomy 23. Help us remember Deuteronomy 23:5 when we wake up, and teach us to notice you in an ordinary night. Amen.
Parent tip
If Deuteronomy 23 is long, read Deuteronomy 23:5 twice and ask one of the talk-about questions. The chapter page has every verse if you want more tomorrow.
Week 218 · the whole night
📖 Deuteronomy 23
Story, coloring page, word search, and the verse to trace.
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