Hosea 11: Cords of Love

Hosea 11 shows God's love like a parent's. When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt. God taught Ephraim to walk and drew them with ties of love. Though they turned away, God said, How can I give you up, Ephraim? My heart is turned within me, my compassion is aroused. One day His children would come trembling like a dove and settle in their houses.

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Bible:

Read Hosea 11

World English Bible · 12 verses

¹ “When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
² They called to them, so they went from them. They sacrificed to the Baals, and burned incense to engraved images.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³ Yet I taught Ephraim to walk. I took them by their arms, but they didn’t know that I healed them.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴ I drew them with cords of a man, with ties of love; and I was to them like those who lift up the yoke on their necks; and I bent down to him and I fed him.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵ “They won’t return into the land of Egypt; but the Assyrian will be their king, because they refused to repent.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁶ The sword will fall on their cities, and will destroy the bars of their gates, and will put an end to their plans.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁷ My people are determined to turn from me. Though they call to the Most High, he certainly won’t exalt them.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁸ “How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned within me, my compassion is aroused.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁹ I will not execute the fierceness of my anger. I will not return to destroy Ephraim, for I am God, and not man—the Holy One among you. I will not come in wrath.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁰ They will walk after Yahweh, who will roar like a lion; for he will roar, and the children will come trembling from the west.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹¹ They will come trembling like a bird out of Egypt, and like a dove out of the land of Assyria; and I will settle them in their houses,” says Yahweh.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹² Ephraim surrounds me with falsehood, and the house of Israel with deceit. Judah still strays from God, and is unfaithful to the Holy One.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org

Worksheets

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Hosea 11 · Preschool

God Loves Me

Name Date

Color the parent and child walking!

Can you find these in the picture? Circle each one!

Bible Verse

“I drew them with cords of a man, with ties of love; and I was to them like those who lift up the yoke on their necks; and I bent down to him and I fed him.”

Hosea 11:4 (WEB)

Prayer

Thank You, God, for making me!

Take It Home

Read the verse aloud. Say: God loves His people like a parent who teaches a child to walk. Thank God for His love.

Open Grade 4 on its own page

Hosea 11 · Grade 4

My Compassion Is Aroused

Name Date

Read and Think

Hosea 11 is one of the most tender chapters in the prophets. When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt. Yet I taught Ephraim to walk. I took them by their arms, but they didn't know that I healed them.

God describes His care: I drew them with cords of a man, with ties of love. I bent down to him and I fed him. But God said, My people are determined to turn from me. Because they refused to repent, Assyria would rule over them.

Then God's heart speaks: How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? My heart is turned within me, my compassion is aroused. I will not execute the fierceness of my anger. God said He would settle them in their houses. In the New Testament, Matthew writes that Out of Egypt I called my son points to Jesus (Matthew 2:15).

Show What You Know

What didn't Israel know?
What did God bend down to do?
Why would Assyria rule over them?
What is aroused in God?
In the New Testament, who does Matthew say the verse points to?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

heartwalkchildGodlove

When Israel was a , then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.
Yet I taught Ephraim to .
God describes His care: I drew them with cords of a man, with ties of .
But said, My people are determined to turn from me.
My is turned within me, my compassion is aroused.

Think About It

God taught Israel to walk, but they didn't know He healed them. In what ways has God cared for you that you might not notice?
How can I give you up? What does this tell you about how God feels when His people wander?

Memory Verse

“How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned within me, my compassion is aroused.

Hosea 11:8 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for loving me like a child. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

How could you show kindness to a younger child?
Why will God not destroy Ephraim?

Open Grade 5 on its own page

Hosea 11 · Grade 5

I Am God, and Not Man

Name Date

Read and Think

Hosea 11 shows God as a loving parent. When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt. Israel's story began with rescue. But they sacrificed to the Baals, and burned incense to engraved images. Yet I taught Ephraim to walk. I took them by their arms, but they didn't know that I healed them.

God's love was gentle and patient: I drew them with cords of a man, with ties of love. He was like one who lifts a heavy yoke and bends down to feed. Still, God said, My people are determined to turn from me. The sword will fall on their cities, because they refused to repent.

Then comes one of the great turns in Scripture. How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? My heart is turned within me, my compassion is aroused. I will not execute the fierceness of my anger. I will not return to destroy Ephraim, for I am God, and not man. God's mercy is greater than human mercy. In the New Testament, Matthew writes: Out of Egypt I called my son (Matthew 2:15).

Show What You Know

How did Israel's story begin?
What did God draw them with?
What would fall on their cities?
Why will God not execute the fierceness of His anger?
In the New Testament, what does Matthew quote?

Crossword

Across

with ties of ____

Down

Yet I taught Ephraim to ____.
like a ____ out of the land of Assyria

Think About It

For I am God, and not man. How is God's mercy greater than human mercy?
God led Israel with cords of love, not chains. How does God draw you to Himself?

Memory Verse

“I will not execute the fierceness of my anger. I will not return to destroy Ephraim, for I am God, and not man—the Holy One among you. I will not come in wrath.”

Hosea 11:9 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for loving me like a child. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

When have you come near to God after drifting?
How has God cared for you?
How could you show God's patient love to someone this week?

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‹ All Hosea chapters · All books

Hosea 11: Cords of Love

Read Hosea 11

Worksheets

God Loves Me

Prayer

Take It Home

Cords of Love

Trace the Words

Match the Pictures

Mini Maze

Draw It

Prayer

Take It Home

God Teaches Us to Walk

Trace the Words

Match the Pictures

God’s Love for His Child

Prayer

Take It Home

Ties of Love

Read the Story

Show What You Know

Word Search

Prayer

Take It Home

How Can I Give You Up?

Read the Story

Answer the Questions

God’s Love for His Child

Word Search

Prayer

Take It Home

My Compassion Is Aroused

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Word Bank Fill-In

Think About It

Copy It

Prayer

Take It Home

I Am God, and Not Man

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Crossword

Think About It

Copy It

Prayer

Take It Home

More print options