Week 443 · Old Testament · about 2 minutes · 294 words
🎺 Ezra 4
Ezra 4 opens with these words: “Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity were building a temple to Yahweh, the God of Israel;” The line to keep is Ezra 4:1: “Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity were building a temple to Yahweh, the God of Israel;” Carry the word “adversarie” from that verse into the rest of the day.
Ezra 4 is a real chapter from the Old Testament. It starts, “Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity were building a temple to Yahweh, the God of Israel;” 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, “Be it known now to the king that if this city is built and the walls finished, they will not pay tribute, custom, or toll, and in the end it will be hurtful to the kings.” Ezra 4 opens with these words: “Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity were building a temple to Yahweh, the God of Israel;” The line to keep is Ezra 4:1: “Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity were building a temple to Yahweh, the God of Israel;” Carry the word “adversarie” from that verse into the rest of the day.
The line worth learning out loud is Ezra 4:1: “Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity were building a temple to Yahweh, the God of Israel;” If the rest of the chapter feels crowded, hold that one sentence until the room is quiet.
What happens first in Ezra 4? Then try this: Read “Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity were building a…” 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.
“Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity were building a temple to Yahweh, the God of Israel;”
Ezra 4:1 · Ezra 4
Say it
Practice Ezra 4:1
Tap the words in order. The blanks follow the verse from left to right.
NowwhentheadversariesofandBenjaminheardthechildrenofthewerebuildingatempletoYahweh,theGodofIsrael;
Talk about it
- What happens first in Ezra 4?
- Read “Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity were building a…” once more. What does it show you about God?
- Who can you tell one sentence from Ezra 4 before bedtime?
Prayer
Father, thank you for Ezra 4. Help us remember Ezra 4:1 when we wake up, and teach us to notice you in an ordinary night. Amen.
Parent tip
If Ezra 4 is long, read Ezra 4:1 twice and ask one of the talk-about questions. The chapter page has every verse if you want more tomorrow.
Week 443 · the whole night
🎺 Ezra 4
Story, coloring page, word search, and the verse to trace.
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