Ezekiel 22
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-5)
The Explanation
There was a big city. Its name was Jerusalem.
In that city, people did bad things. They hurt each other. They were not kind to moms and dads. They were not kind to strangers.
God saw everything. He saw every bad thing.
God said, "This city is full of blood." That means people got hurt. Very hurt.
The people forgot God. They did not think of Him at all.
What Does This Mean?
God was sad. Very sad. And God was angry too.
He said the city was like old metal. Not shiny silver. Just old, dirty metal.
God said He would put the city in a big fire. Like when you melt metal to make it clean again.
The fire was hot. Very hot. God wanted to make things clean.
The Common Thread
But then God said something important.
He looked for one person. Just one.
Someone to stand in a broken wall. Like standing in a gap, to keep the city safe.
God looked and looked. But he could not find anyone.
Not one person stood in the gap.
Many, many years later, God found someone. His name was Jesus.
Jesus stood in the gap. He stood there for us. He was not afraid.
Jesus loves us so much, He stood right in the broken place.
For You
Sometimes you do something not kind. Maybe you push. Maybe you say a mean word.
God sees that. But God does not stop loving you.
God still looks for someone to stand in the gap. Jesus stands there.
You can talk to Jesus. Every day. He listens.
Talk About It
Have you ever seen a broken wall or a big hole? What did it look like?
Why do you think Jesus wanted to stand in the gap for us?
Praying Together
Dear God, Thank You for Jesus. Thank You that He stands close to us. Help me to be kind today. Amen.
Questions about Ezekiel 22
Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.
What is Ezekiel 22 about?
What does Ezekiel 22 say?
What does Ezekiel 22 teach us about God?
What others discovered
I will scatter you among the nations, and disperse you through the countries. I will consume your filthiness out of you." The scattering sounds like abandonment until you read that last line. What sat comfortably in Jerusalem could not survive the road. Sometimes the place you lose is the place your sin felt safest.
Because you have all become dross, therefore, behold, I will gather you into the middle of Jerusalem." Dross was never a separate thing. It was mixed in with the silver all along, hidden until the heat came. God does not say you are worthless. He says the fire will show what is real in you. That gathering feels like judgment. It is also the only way anything pure gets out.
Looking for something for slightly older children?
We also have dedicated versions for elementary age (6-12) and teens (13 and up).
Open in the Children's Bible tool
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