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Ezra Read the LawDear Parents,
Thank you for continuing this journey of The Gospel Project® for Kids. Today’s Bible story takes place at a special worship service after the Jews finished rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls. Ezra was a priest in Babylon at the end of the exile. Just as God had been with Nehemiah, He was with Ezra—granting Him favor with the Persian king, who gave him permission to go to Jerusalem. Ezra had a special purpose for returning to Jerusalem. God’s people had lived in exile for 70 years. They needed to be reminded how to live holy lives before God. As a scribe, Ezra was an expert on the law of Moses. Ezra had “determined in his heart to study the law of the Lord, obey it, and teach its statutes and ordinances in Israel” (Ezra 7:10). After the walls were rebuilt, everyone gathered together at the Water Gate to hear Ezra read the law. Men, women, and children—anyone who could understand—came to listen. From early morning to midday, Ezra read from the book of the law of Moses. He stood on a platform so everyone could see and hear him. The Levites helped listeners understand the words of the law. When they understood, they wept. The law revealed their sin. Ezra told the people not to weep, for the joy of the Lord is their strength. Yes, the people had sinned. But God would keep His promise to forgive. God’s Word is powerful. When Ezra read God’s Word, the people changed their ways and loved God more. The Bible says that Jesus is “the Word.” Jesus is God who came to live with people on earth. Jesus has the power to change our hearts. |
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Ezra Read the Law
Nehemiah 8:1-12
The walls around Jerusalem were nished—at last! The people
had worked hard, and with God’s help they nished rebuilding the walls and the city gates in just 52 days. All the people in Jerusalem gathered together very early in the morning at one of the city gates. Men, women, and children—anyone who could understand—came to listen to the reading of God’s Word.
As the sun was just coming up, Ezra (EZ ruh) the priest brought out the book of the law of Moses that God had given to His people. God’s words were written on a scroll. Ezra stood on a high wooden platform. Some men stood next to Ezra on his right and on his left. Ezra opened the book where everyone could see it.
Ezra began to read. He read the law for several hours, and all the people listened carefully. All the people stood up. They had respect for God’s Word. Ezra praised God, and the people lifted up their hands.
“Amen! Amen!” they said. The people in the crowd bowed down with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped God.
Some of the leaders there—the Levites (LEE vights)—explained the law to the people and helped them understand the words Ezra read. As the people heard the words of the law, they began to weep. The law was God’s rules for living, and the people had disobeyed God. They realized they had sinned.
Ezra, the Levites, and Nehemiah (nee huh MIGH uh) the governor said, “This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.” Even though the people’s sin made them sad, this was a happy day.
Then Ezra said to them, “Go home and prepare a feast! Eat rich food and drink sweet drinks. Share what you have prepared with those who have nothing prepared.” And again Ezra said, “Today is holy to the Lord our God. This is not a day to be sad because the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
The people obeyed Ezra. They prepared a feast. They ate rich food and drank sweet drinks. They shared what they had with people who did not have food and drinks, and all the people had a big celebration. They were glad because they understood the words of the law that were explained to them.
Christ Connection: God’s Word is powerful. When Ezra read God’s Word, the people changed their ways and loved God more. The Bible says that Jesus is “the Word.” Jesus is God who came to live with people on earth. Jesus has the power to change our hearts.
Nehemiah 8:1-12
The walls around Jerusalem were nished—at last! The people
had worked hard, and with God’s help they nished rebuilding the walls and the city gates in just 52 days. All the people in Jerusalem gathered together very early in the morning at one of the city gates. Men, women, and children—anyone who could understand—came to listen to the reading of God’s Word.
As the sun was just coming up, Ezra (EZ ruh) the priest brought out the book of the law of Moses that God had given to His people. God’s words were written on a scroll. Ezra stood on a high wooden platform. Some men stood next to Ezra on his right and on his left. Ezra opened the book where everyone could see it.
Ezra began to read. He read the law for several hours, and all the people listened carefully. All the people stood up. They had respect for God’s Word. Ezra praised God, and the people lifted up their hands.
“Amen! Amen!” they said. The people in the crowd bowed down with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped God.
Some of the leaders there—the Levites (LEE vights)—explained the law to the people and helped them understand the words Ezra read. As the people heard the words of the law, they began to weep. The law was God’s rules for living, and the people had disobeyed God. They realized they had sinned.
Ezra, the Levites, and Nehemiah (nee huh MIGH uh) the governor said, “This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.” Even though the people’s sin made them sad, this was a happy day.
Then Ezra said to them, “Go home and prepare a feast! Eat rich food and drink sweet drinks. Share what you have prepared with those who have nothing prepared.” And again Ezra said, “Today is holy to the Lord our God. This is not a day to be sad because the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
The people obeyed Ezra. They prepared a feast. They ate rich food and drank sweet drinks. They shared what they had with people who did not have food and drinks, and all the people had a big celebration. They were glad because they understood the words of the law that were explained to them.
Christ Connection: God’s Word is powerful. When Ezra read God’s Word, the people changed their ways and loved God more. The Bible says that Jesus is “the Word.” Jesus is God who came to live with people on earth. Jesus has the power to change our hearts.