Ezekiel 5 · Grade 5
In the Middle of the Nations
Read and Think
Ezekiel 5 continues the acted prophecies. God told Ezekiel to shave his head and beard, weigh the hair on balances, and divide it into three parts. Each third pictured a different outcome for Jerusalem's people when the city fell, and the details are severe. A shaved head was a sign of mourning and shame, so the sign itself was a lament.
One small action carried hope. Ezekiel was to take a small number of these and bind them in the folds of his robe. Even some of those would be tested, but the picture shows God preserving a remnant. Later chapters build on this idea, describing a people God would gather and give a new heart.
God then explains the meaning: This is Jerusalem. I have set her in the middle of the nations. Jerusalem had the privilege of God's law and God's house, and she was meant to show the nations what God is like. Instead she rebelled more than the nations, did not walk in his statutes, and defiled his sanctuary. Greater privilege brought greater responsibility, and the people would know that Yahweh had spoken in his zeal.
Show What You Know
Why was shaving the head a fitting sign?
What does the small number of hairs in the robe picture?
Why was Jerusalem's rebellion so serious?
What principle about privilege does this chapter show?
Crossword
Across
- I have set her in the middle of the ____
Down
- This is ____
- And have not walked in my ____
- You shall take a small number of these and bind them in the folds of your ____
Think About It
Jerusalem had great privileges but did not use them well. What spiritual privileges do you have, and how can you use them faithfully?
God judged sin seriously but still kept a remnant. How do both God's holiness and his mercy show up in this chapter?
Memory Verse
““The Lord Yahweh says: ‘This is Jerusalem. I have set her in the middle of the nations, and countries are around her.”
Ezekiel 5:5 (WEB)
Copy It
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for keeping Your people safe. Help me . Amen.
Take It Home
For families: talk about these together.
- How should the blessings you have change how you live?
- How can you admit your sin and still rest in God's kindness?
- What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?
Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.