Read an Excerpt
The Kids' Devotional Bible
Zondervan
Copyright © 2006 The Zondervan Corporation
All right reserved. ISBN: 0-310-71243-2
Chapter One
Exodus
In Exodus Moses tells about the people who live after Abraham. Some of these people are called the Israelites.
The Israelites are special to God. But they are in trouble. They are slaves in Egypt. God saves them! He makes Pharaoh let the Israelites go. Then God gives the Israelites rules to live by. They must obey these rules and love God.
The People of Israel Are Slaves in Egypt
1 Here are the names of Israel's children who went to Egypt with Jacob. Each one went with his family.
2 Jacob's sons were Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, 3 Issachar, Zebulun, Benjamin, 4 Dan, Naphtali, Gad and Asher. 5 The total number of Jacob's children and grandchildren was 70. Joseph was already in Egypt.
6 Joseph and all of his brothers died. So did all of their children.
7 The people of Israel had many children. They greatly increased their numbers. There were so many of them that they filled the land.
8 Then a new king came to power in Egypt. He didn't know anything about Joseph.
9 "Look," he said to his people. "The Israelites are far too many for us. 10 Come. We must deal with them carefully. If we don't, they will increase their numbers even more. Then if war breaks out, they'll join our enemies. They'll fight against us and leave the country."
11 So the Egyptians put slavedrivers over the people of Israel. The slave drivers beat them down and made them work hard. The Israelites built the cities of Pithom and Rameses so Pharaoh could store things there.
12 But the more the slave drivers beat them down, the more the Israelites increased their numbers and spread out. So the Egyptians became afraid of them. 13 They made them work hard. They didn't show them any pity. 14 They made them suffer with hard labor. They forced them to work with bricks and mud. And they made them do all kinds of work in the fields. The Egyptians didn't show them any pity at all. They made them work very hard.
The people practice evil magic, just as the Philistines do. They make ungodly people their friends.
7 Their land is full of silver and gold. There is no end to their treasures. Their land is full of horses. There is no end to their chariots. 8 Their land is full of statues of gods.
THURSDAY
He will judge between the nations. He'll settle problems among many of them. They will hammer their swords into plows. They'll hammer their spears into pruning tools. Nations will not go to war against one another. They won't even train to fight anymore (Isaiah 2:4).
From Bullies to Buddies
Today's Bible Reading: Isaiah 2:1 - 5
Are you the biggest bully on the block? Do you hit your brother or sister when you're mad? Then watch out. Jesus is coming!
What will Jesus do when he comes? Will he spank you? Will he yell at you for fighting all the time? No way!
Jesus will do something wonderful. In this verse, it says he will turn swords into plows. That means he can turn guns into gardens. Or he can turn bullies into buddies. If you let him, Jesus will take your hitting hands and turn them into helpful hands.
Peace starts with you. Don't fight. Don't hit. Give your hands to Jesus, and see the great things you will do!
Ask Yourself: Do you sometimes fight and hit? Who can help you to not fight?
I have read this devotion
For your next reading, turn to page 839. If you want to read more, see Matthew 5:9 on page 1188 and James 3:17 - 18 on page 1558.
THE WEEKEND
"Abram, do not be afraid. I am like a shield to you. I am your very great reward" (Genesis 15:1). I have read this devotion For your next reading, turn to page 21.
Saturday: Genesis 15:1 Sunday: Psalm 5:11 - 12
God was Abram's shield. He watched over Abram in every way. He guarded Abram's life, his heart and his happiness.
He led Abram safely through strange countries. He kept Abram safe during battles. He warned Abram away from evil cities.
God blessed Abram with riches. He surrounded Abram with honor. He gave Abram a long, rich, full life.
That's unusual, isn't it? Abram was a special case, right? Wrong!
God promises to watch over all who trust him.
He also promises to bless them. He promises to surround them with his favor. God still says, "Do not be afraid. I am like a shield to you."
Trust in God, then sing for joy!
God will bless you. He will surround you with love. He will shield you completely, just as he shielded Abram.
Some things to think about: What adults do you trust? Can they watch over you completely? Do they help God watch over you?
Some things to do: Trust God. Ask him to watch over you all the time. Help friends in trouble.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from The Kids' Devotional Bible Copyright © 2006 by The Zondervan Corporation. Excerpted by permission.
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