Week 446 · Old Testament · about 3 minutes · 294 words
🌙 Ezra 7
Ezra 7 opens with these words: “Now after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah,” The line to keep is Ezra 7:27: “Blessed be Yahweh, the God of our fathers, who has put such a thing as this in the king’s heart, to beautify Yahweh’s house which is in Jerusalem;” Carry the word “blessed” from that verse into the rest of the day.
Ezra 7 is a real chapter from the Old Testament. It starts, “Now after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah,” 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, “and to carry the silver and gold, which the king and his counselors have freely offered to the God of Israel, whose habitation is in Jerusalem,” Ezra 7 opens with these words: “Now after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah,” The line to keep is Ezra 7:27: “Blessed be Yahweh, the God of our fathers, who has put such a thing as this in the king’s heart, to beautify Yahweh’s house which is in Jerusalem;” Carry the word “blessed” from that verse into the rest of the day.
The line worth learning out loud is Ezra 7:27: “Blessed be Yahweh, the God of our fathers, who has put such a thing as this in the king’s heart, to beautify Yahweh’s house which is in Jerusalem;” If the rest of the chapter feels crowded, hold that one sentence until the room is quiet.
What happens first in Ezra 7? Then try this: Read “Blessed be Yahweh, the God of our fathers, who has put such a thing as this in the king’s heart, to beautify…” 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.
“Blessed be Yahweh, the God of our fathers, who has put such a thing as this in the king’s heart, to beautify Yahweh’s house which is in Jerusalem;”
Ezra 7:27 · Ezra 7
Say it
Practice Ezra 7:27
Tap the words in order. The blanks follow the verse from left to right.
beYahweh,theGodofourwhohasputsuchathingasthisintheking’sheart,tobeautifyYahweh’shouseisinJerusalem;
Talk about it
- What happens first in Ezra 7?
- Read “Blessed be Yahweh, the God of our fathers, who has put such a thing as this in the king’s heart, to beautify…” once more. What does it show you about God?
- Who can you tell one sentence from Ezra 7 before bedtime?
Prayer
Father, thank you for Ezra 7. Help us remember Ezra 7:27 when we wake up, and teach us to notice you in an ordinary night. Amen.
Parent tip
If Ezra 7 is long, read Ezra 7:27 twice and ask one of the talk-about questions. The chapter page has every verse if you want more tomorrow.
Week 446 · the whole night
🌙 Ezra 7
Story, coloring page, word search, and the verse to trace.
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