V Is for View It: ABC: Deuteronomy for Me: Raising a Caleb Kid in a Disrupted World
Discover the stories of Moses and Aaron at Meribah, and Moses and Aaron's deaths on Mt. Nebo and Hor. Discuss Lot's viewing of the Jordan area and what he viewed round Sodom. Learn about the Jewish holiday Simchat Torah, or 'Joy in the Torah' and how it's associated with the last chapter in Deuteronomy. Sing a Simchat Torah song, and make a flag too. Make a Movable Moses with a unique "V Viewer!" and a Moses Story Tube. And vow to put no evil things before your eyes! (Ps. 101:3)
V Is for View It!
V is for view it,
Moses do it,
It's a command,
See it, behold it--
the Promised land!
Little Kids: Ages 4-7
Journal It: V Is for View It!
In our story today God tells Moses to go up Mt. Nebo, and look in every direction to see the special land God had promised to the Israelites. Have you ever been up a mountain? What could you see from way up high? What did you see below you, around you?
What did Moses use to help him view the Promised Land? Did he have binoculars? Did he wear glasses? No, God said his eyes were good even though he was 120 years old! What do we use to view things? Yes, we use our eyes too. Moses was looking at or viewing something good, and we should do that as well. We must be careful with our eyes to view good things rather than bad things. Can you name some good things to view? bad things?
Print "V Is for View It!" Identify the letter and the Vv word. Let little ones print that. For 1st./2nd let them copy the rhyme; and talk about it. Have each one illustrate things they could see from a high place. Have them draw too some good things to view with their eyes!
Listen to It: The Back Story: Moses' Sin at Zin
In our lesson today there are two stories to tell. The first one happened to Moses as he led the people along toward their special land. In it Moses gets angry or mad. Let me tell you about it. Moses was leading God's people through this dry, dusty, rocky "Wilderness of Zin." Along the way the people kept getting thirsty. The old people were thirsty. The parents were thirsty. The kids were thirsty. Their animals were thirsty too!
So they started to moan and complain, "We are thirsty! Why did you bring us here in this hot dry place? Give us water!" Moses, and Aaron felt bad, so they fell on their face and prayed to God for water. God heard their prayers. And God said, "Moses, here's a rock. I want you to speak to the rock, and it will give you water."
Did Moses obey? Did he use his voice to speak to the rock like God said? No, he did not! Instead, he got mad at the people. He spoke to them. He called them "rebels!" He said, "Why do you make us get water for you?" Then, he took his rod and he made a sad choice. He hit the rock twice. Like this. "Smack!, Smack!" Out gushed water--lots of water for everyone to drink.
Was God pleased with Moses? No, he was not! God said, "I told you to speak or talk to the rock, but you did not! You sinned before all the people. And because of that, you will not go into the Promised Land You will only be allowed to see it." Numbers 20:1-13
Psalm 106:33 tells us about Moses. It says the people made him angry. It says then Moses spoke unwise words with his lips. We often do that too. And God hears us and sees us. There's a song that says, "He sees what we do, He hears what we say, my God is watching all the time, time, time, He sees what we do. He hears what we say. My God is watching all the time!*
Some versions "writing." Find this song here:
Learn It: "The Eyes of the Lord Are In Every Place"
In our lesson "view it" means "see it," or "behold it." Proverbs says God sees the good and the bad. He saw Moses when he obeyed, and he saw Moses when he did not. He sees you too.
Proverbs 15:3 "The eyes of the LORD are in every place beholding the evil and the good." Let's find this verse in our Bibles. Go to the big book of Psalms; then go over one more book to find Proverbs 15:3. Highlight it! K: Write "The ... place...." 1st./2nd: Write verse in journal.
Move It: Moses "V" Viewer
Prep It: Moses image, colored paper, bendable straw, small V cutout, cotton, small straw, markers, hole punch, pencil, glue, scissor, small scissors ....
Make It: Print Moses figure. (See pattern at end.) Cut out; glue to small piece of colored paper; cut round it. Parents use small scissors cut slit for straw top of head, cut round bottom of beard, and slit in sleeve for end of straw. Also cut or punch hole in rt. hand for straw "rod." Use pencil to poke out tiny mouth. Put glue on lil beard; stick on cotton. Let child carefully color, or outline small figure. Cut out small "V" --punch two "eye holes." Tape on "V." Do look at finished marker at end of lesson!!!
Move It: Push straw behind head, under beard, and through sleeve to move "Moses." Attach "V" viewer end of straw. As retell Meribah story insert small "rod straw." Remove rod to use as a book mark. Peek through "V" holes or between V to locate "v" words or "Bible" words. Move beard to make Moses speak. What fun kids can have with this versatile V viewer, Moses, and marker!
Make It: Moses Story Tube
Prep It: small color page, images of story parts, towel tube, 9"X12" colored paper, scissors, tape, glue...
Make It: Roll towel tube in colored or tissue paper; tape; and tuck. Color Moses striking the rock page; cut out arm so rod is out. Run off map image of Kadesh, photo image of Zin, and picture of Moses angrily raising rod. Tape round the tube so pictures line up all the way down tube. Print captions as: Story Tube, Numbers 20, Desert of Zin, Moses at Zin, Psalm 106 etc. Glue, tape round tube.
Use It: Help child to tell story using each picture in turn. Hint: Make sure each separate image overlaps as you place it round the tube! Make a Nebo story tube too.
Find tube pages here:
Find photo pages here:
Wilderness of Zin Map: wilderness of zin map - Bing images
View tube at end here:
Hear It: Moses Views Canaan
In Deuteronomy 32, Moses taught all the people a song, and in Deuteronlmy 33 Moses wrote blessings for all the people.. And in Deuteronomy 34 Moses climbed Mt. Nebo. Now, Moses was old, but he was still strong. Yes, Moses was old, but his eyes were still good. When Moses got to the very top of Mt. Nebo God told him to look in every direction to see the land. Moses did.
And God said to him, "This is the land I promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to give it to them." After Moses, the servant of the Lord, died there in the land of Moab and God buried him in the valley. Then the children of Israel wept and cried for thirty days because their leader Moses had died. After Joshua, full of a spirit of wisdom, was all ready to be their new leader.
At the end, Deuteronomy says in Israel there wasn't another prophet like Moses who knew the Lord face to face. No prophet was like Moses in all the signs and wonders he did in Egypt, and before all the people. No prophet was like Moses in all that mighty hand, and in all that great things Moses did before all Israel.
Move to It: "Up, Up on Mt. Nebo" (Tune: "On Top of Old Smoky")
Up, up on Mt. Nebo,
Mountain so high,
Moses did climb up,
up, up to the sky.
(Pretend to climb.)
Up, up, on Mt. Nebo,
Moses did view
the Promised Land
like God said to do.
(Both hands over
eyes.)
For Moses obeyed God,
obeyed his command,
for that was the way
he saw all the land! Yes!
(Wag finger; shout
"Yes!")
Create It: "My Mini Vee Book"
Vary It: Cut three Vs from solid violet, patterned violet prints, light violet, and solid white paper. twelve in all. Begin with a violet cover. Use these words: violet, vee, vex, vim, vow, verb, view, vigor, voice, vista, valley, and vocabulary. Print words/write words. Glue to left side of "V". Print definitions/write them on rt. side of "V," Use these words/definitions: violet/color between red/blue; like purple; vee/22nd. letter of alphabet; vex/trouble/upset; vim/energy; vow/solemn promise; verb/action word; view/to look at; vigor/good health; voice/sound produced by God or humans; vista/pleasing view; valley/low area between mts./hills; and vocabulary/lots of words. See photograph sample below.
Voice It: Use each vocabulary word in a sentence.
Eat It: Vel"vee"ta Cheese "V Words"
Cut slices of Velveeta Cheese into strips; use to form your "Vee" words. Do show kids the wrapper with the word Velveeta and ask them if they see the "vee" in the middle. Enjoy!
Create It: "My Mini 'View It' Synonym Book"
Vary It: Cut four Vs from solid orange and green. Cut four Vs from concordance or other map print showing Mt. Nebo, and Jordan area. Assemble booklet beginning with solid orange page, green page, and map page using twelve pages in all. For cover print: "My Mini 'View It' Book" Print words View it" eleven times; glue to left, and to right glue synonyms. Synonym list: behold, check out, examine, eye, gaze at, look over, observe, peer at, see, and survey. Explain that "view it" has many synonym verbs or action words that mean the same thing.
Journal It: 4s: Write "See it!" K: write three synonyms. 1st: write five, and second all of them.
Voice It: Read the words with the kids like this: "Moses did behold the land. Moses did check out the land. Moses did examine the land." etc. Ask children to find Mt. Nebo on their map "V." What else can they see? Look at photo of mini book at close of lesson.
Apply It: Which Story? M or N?
1st./2nd: To enable the kids to use their Vv vocabulary words ask these questions about the Meribah or Nebo story? Let them answer M or N. In which story did Moses .....?
1. ... raise his voice in anger? M
2. ... look at a pleasant vista? N
3. ... hear God use his voice to say, "Speak to the rock!?" M
4. ... hear the people use their voices to complain against him and Aaron? M
5. ... still have vim and vigor? N
6. ... look in all directions to view the Promised Land? N
7. ... see "the plain of the valley of Jericho?" N
8. ... hear God's voice say, "Because you didn't obey me you can't enter the land.?" M
9. ... view a vale or a valley? N
10. ... use his voice unwisely against the rebels? M
Learn About It: Celebrating Simchat Torah!
Way back in the Introductory Deuteronomy Lesson, we learned that there were five books in the Book of the Law or the Torah: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. In Jewish synagogues today they read the Torah--out loud--from Genesis to Deuteronomy over a whole year. When they get to the last chapter--chapter thirty-four--then they start all over at Genesis again. To celebrate this yearly completion of the Torah Jewish people celebrate "Simchat Torah" which means "Joy in the Torah." They empty out all the Torah scrolls from their aron or ark and adults carry them round and round the synagogue seven times. Kids march too and carry small flags often with an apple on top of the flag stick.
Chaya Burstein's Jewish Holidays and Traditions Coloring Book (Dover Publications, Inc., New York, c. 1990) has three great coloring book pages (pp.18-20) to color. One shows Moses on Mt. Nebo, a second shows the parading of the Torah in the synagogue, and the blessing page with kids under the tallit shawl. Not only is it a great color book, but is full of wonderful information kids (adults too!) should know. Order a copy here:
Review It: "Books of Moses--Pentateuch Rhyme"
In first Deuteronomy lesson we learned this rhyme:
Hold out your fingers just like so, ready, set, let's go:
"Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy!"
Hold out your fingers again once more:
let's say those books just like before:
"Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy!"
(Hold left hand palm up; with right hand touch each finger.)
If you've never read the first lesson do scroll back to find it!
Watch It: Sammy Spider's First Simchat Torah
An informative book Sammy Spider's First Simchat Torah by Slyvia A. Rouss is read aloud on line. This book is about an imaginary family that will celebrate Simchat Torah and a spider who observes this. Its first page begins: "Again, and ...and again ...and again ... and again." On the very next page you'll meet Josh and his mom, Mrs. Shapiro. Josh is begging his mom to read a book his teacher gave to him. He wanted to hear it once again! Above, on the ceiling listening, is Sammy Spider. When his mom is finished reading, Josh begs to hear it once more. Find out what happens next by clicking here:
While the story is fiction, the lessons and facts it gives are not. The emphasis on the repetative words: "again and again refrain!" is what Jewish people do as they listen to the Torah read aloud every week on Shabbat over and over. Yes, little folks and adults learn best by repetition. This book teaches an important lesson we often miss --that is the Word-- needs to be read aloud consistently. And as we've learned, Deuteronomy teaches the importance of instilling and instructing your child in the Word every chance you get! It also teaches through its Simchat Torah celebration there is "joy in the Torah." And as written in the book--signified by the apples--that the reading of the Torah is sweet!
As a side note, some years ago I wrote a book Celebrate the Bible. Below are several pages from it. Perhaps, you too might set aside a special time to celebrate the Word with your youngsters! See down below:
Make It: Simchat Torah Flag/Celebrate the Bible Pennant
Prep It: Simchat Torah flag print, colored paper, glue, scissors, markers, colored pencils straw, pipecleaner, tape....
Make It: Glue flag pic to colored paper. Cut out carefully. Use markers/colored pencils to outline color page. Put pipecleaner through straw*; turn over tape flag to it. Move to songs.
* Makes it so much strudier than just a pipecleaner, or straw alone! Find flag images here:
See sample flag below!
Prep It: Celebrate the Bible Pennant page find in photographs; use same materials as above.
Note! Remember you can click on photos and enlarge it to see it, and even trace it. Or you can find pennant shapes on line. After print, or write out "Celebrate the Bible!"
Make It: Add other details. Check below to see flag.
March to It: "Celebrate the Bible!"
Celebrate the Bible
with a boom, boom, boom.
Celebrate the Bible,
march around the room.
Celebrate the Bible
with a ring, ring, ring.
Celebrate the Bible;
Praise the Lord and sing.
Celebrate the Bible
with a cheer, cheer, cheer.
Celebrate the Bible
every day of the year!
LEP
Sing It I: A Jewish Simchat Torah Song to Sing
Hear this catchy Simhat Torah song by Stephen Melzack here: :
Sing It II: Read the Torah! Tune: Chorus: "Give Me Oil in My Lamp"
Read the Torah,* read the Torah, read the Torah, celebrate today,
Read the Torah, read the Torah, read the Torah and obey!
* your Bible, or the Bible
May also sing third verse of "Give Me Oil in Lamp." Give me joy in my heart, keep me praising,
Give me joy in my heart today, Give me joy in my heart keep me praising, praising to the break of day! Hear it here: Sing Hosanna - Give Me Oil In My Lamp | Bible Songs for Kids - Bing video
Say It: Be Wise!
Be wise what you
put before your eyes,
(Point to eyes.)
Be wise what you
hear with your ears,
(Point to ears.)
Cling to wholesome
things!
(Hug self.)
Vow now to do it!
( Shake finger; raise voice!)
Older Kids: Ages 8-12:
Hear It: Aaron at Mt. Hor
Once again, there are back stories to explore. There's Aaron at Meribah and there's Aaron's death at Mt. Hor. After, there is Moses on Mt. Nebo. Here are some read-aloud scriptures to share first: Numbers 20:1-13, 22-29; Numbers 27:13; and Deut. 32:50. Read and discuss.
Discuss It: Think About It!
What were the people complaining about? Against whom were they fighting? What did the people wish they had done? After this what did Moses and Aaron do? What was Aaron's part (v.10) in the rock command? Moses? Notice verse 12: What did God say to both Moses and Aaron? Where did everyone go from Kadesh? What did the Lord say about Aaron? Why couldn't he see the land? Who went with Aaron up Mt. Hor? Who was watching? What did God command Moses to do?* Then what happened?
Note: Perhaps, you wonder why Moses took off Aaron's priestly garments. Exodus 29:29 gives us an answer. It says, "And the holy garments of Aaron shall be his sons' after him, to be anointed therein, and to be consecrated in them."
Hear It: Moses at Mt. Nebo
Moses went up a mountain too. Unlike Aaron, he viewed the Promised Land before he died. As you listen, think how Moses' story was like Aaron's or different than Aaron's account. Numbers 27:12-15 tells us of Moses going up Mt. Nebo to see the land, and after he'd seen it he'd be gathered unto his people. Why couldn't he enter the land? Verse 14 gives the answer--because he didn't honor God's command to speak to the rock at the waters of Meribah in Kadish.
Deuteronomy 3 tells us more. It records that Moses begged the Lord to let him go over and see the good land. But, writes Moses, the Lord was angry at him for asking, and told him not to speak to him any more of this matter. But, he was to go up to the top of Pisgah (mountain range), and lift up his eyes in all directions to behold it or view it. But, it was Joshua who would get to go into the land!
And Deuteronomy 32 explains that Mt. Nebo was in the land of Moab. From it he was to behold Canaan. Again it says "because" you trespassed or sinned at the waters of Meribah-Kadish, and didn't honor me before all the children of Israel you can't go into the land.
Finally, in Deuteronomy 34 we learn exactly which land the Lord showed him and what the Lord said about his land promise. As before, we read at 120 year old Moses would "see it" with his eyes but not go in. Sadly we read that Moses, the servant of the Lord, died there. After it was the Lord who buried him in a Moab valley without anyone knowing where his grave was!
The last three verses tell us in the Old Testament there wasn't any other prophet in Israel like unto Moses whom the Lord knew face to face.* For not only in Egypt, but in the wilderness the Lord had allowed Moses to do powerful miracles in the sight of all Israel!
*References: Deut. 18:15 Deut.18:18
Learn It: Two Verses to Know-- Acts 3:20,22
In Acts Peter quotes Moses' words from Deuteronomy 18 that state God would raise up a Prophet to whom they should listen. And that Prophet was Jesus Christ!
Here's the Deuteronomy 18:15 prophecy verse: "The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet* from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me, unto him shall ye hearken." *Note: Prophet is capitalized! Also a "cross reference" below my verse says: "Deut. 18:15"
Say It! Acts 3:20,22 "And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: ... For Moses truly said unto the fathers, a Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things, whatsoever he shall say unto you."
What great tools markings/cross references are! e.g. in my Bible Deuteronomy 18:15 and Acts 3:22 are starred. Here's the note in the front about "star" markings: A "star" beside a verse in the O.T. indicates a Messianic prophecy. In the N.T., a "star" beside a verse indicates a prophecy that has been fulfilled.
Make It: Star It: Print Verses onto Oversized Stars
Either cut out two oversized stars and print the verses inside. Or instead glue words to a page surrounding them with shiny stars. See sample at end:
Visit It: A Mt. Nebo Tour Via Video
There's a number of video virtual tours taking one right atop Mt. Nebo; pick one, view it, and then share parts with your children afterward discussing what is shown. Note that Mt. Nebo is in the country of Jordan, and that from it among other areas one can view the Jordan valley. Here are some videos available that you can choose: mt nebo tour video - Bing
Compare It, Contrast It: The Mt. Hor Vs. The Mt. Nebo Story Make It!
Prep It: Print two oversized outline Vs.; print words/phrases listed below, brown, blue paper, markers, crayons,scissors, glue. ....
Make It: Trace Vs onto br. paper; cut out. Turn upside down for mts. Glue onto blue paper. Cut apart words printed in list; glue on and around 'mountains." Glue Mt. Hor-Aaron and Mt. Nebo-Moses at top of mountains. If you wish older kids can just draw upside down mountain "V" and write the phrases round their mountains. For younger kids make two big V mountains on the white board first, and write in the phrases/words that go with each one. After, let first/second graders do it alone using printed strips, or printing their own! Find sample photo at end of lesson.
Explore It: Simchat Torah--"Let's Hear It for the Torah!"
Simchat Torah, (pronounced sim-kaht-toe-rah) is a Jewish holy day of rest and joy, celebrated the day after Sukkot (Feast of Booths). On that day all go to synagogue to the hear the last of the Torah read, the first of it begun again, and to sing and dance with the Torah. Read more in The Torah for Dummies by Arthur Kurtweil. Especially read chapter thirteen: "Walking Through the Torah Synagogue Service" where Kurtweil highlights the respect for the Torah they were to show as each hearer followed along reading his own copy.
Great care is given to the handling of the Torah from taking it out of its coverings, to carefully handling it, to redressing it, and putting it away. As often stressed in these lessons there's huge dividends to be had from reading aloud the Word to and with your kids. Bill Randles, a wonderful pastor from Iowa, demonstrates this aloud reading of the Word so beautifully nearly always reading through his sermon texts verse by verse.
Note: Christians read both the Old and New Testament, while Jewish people read only the Old Testament. Why is this? It is because as Christians we believe that the Prophet that Moses talked about in Deut.18 was Jesus, the Messiah who was born in Bethlehem. Whereas, Jewish people believe that Jesus the Messiah has not yet come. John 1:4,5 says, "He (Jesus, the Messiah) came unto his own (the Jews) and they received him not. But, as many as received him , to them gave he power to become the sons of God....." Notice John 1:45 references Deut.18;18! Therefore, we celebrate Jesus' birth, life, death, resurrection, and coming again. Oh, praise His name!
To View It, Or Not? A Verse to Remember!
Psalm 101:3a tells us to use our eyes wisely viewing things that are good rather than worthless. It says,
"I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes:...." In Genesis we read about a man and his family that found that difficult to do for they lived where they were continually surrounded by evil.
Now, that man was Lot, a nephew of Abraham, who traveled with his uncle into Promised Land territory where their workers quarreled. Therefore, Abraham suggested they separate. He told Lot to look at the land nearby, and choose an area in which he'd like to live. So, the Bible says, Lot lifted up his eyes and chose the lush, green, well-watered Jordan plain.
After, Lot moved to a sinful city called Sodom. There every day Lot and his family were viewing and hearing evil things. II Peter 2:7,8 says because of the wickedness all around it vexed Lot's righteous soul--or upset him. Meanwhile, the Lord also looked down seeing all the wickedness and sent angels to take Lot and his family out the city. Then, the Lord destroyed Sodom. Read more here: Genesis 13, 18-19; Luke 17 Explore More! What happened when Lot's wife turned back to view Sodom again?
Today just as in Lot's time we too are surrounded by many evil things, and that's why we need to focus in on good things to use our eyes for. Here are images that help us think about this verse; view them. Then print several, and use as book marks reminders!
Pray It: A Prayer to Say!
Dear Lord:
I vow now today
to be wise, to obey,
and not to allow
"...any wicked thing
before my eyes."
Amen.
Teachers, Parents, Grandparents, YOU:
What Are Your Grands Viewing? Your Kids? You?
Whether young or old we're constantly being confronted via television, games on the internet or phones, I Pads, or other tech toys with unsuitable things to view. Recently, I heard about a four-year-old boy who loved watching Bendy which is a trendy demonic cartoon figure. The little guy so liked this Mickey Mousish-like character that he wanted it on his birthday cake. Perhaps, you think this unusual, but sadly it is not for game characters like this abound.
Examining an ABC book, on a video I viewed, was a little tot sitting on his mom's lap being coached to say words he would never begin to understand. Who would believe we'd see the day when such books are specifically focused on our smallest children? (Oh, and on their naive and undiscerning parents and grandparents too!) Like a friend said these books, programs, and toys should grieve us for they surely should vex our very hearts!
Know what's happening all around. Remind others whether young or old as Psalm 101:3 says, "I will set no evil thing before mine eyes." Instead, as Amos 5:15 records, "Hate the evil, love the good, ...."
Light House Trails Kids' Corner is a great site full of kids' books, and movies that honor the Lord. View them here:
Click on photos to make them larger!
