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Hosea 6 · Grade 4

I Desire Mercy

Name Date

Read and Think

Hosea 6 begins with words of return. Come! Let's return to Yahweh; for he has torn us to pieces, and he will heal us. The people trusted that God would revive them. Let's press on to know Yahweh. As surely as the sun rises, Yahweh will appear.

These were good words, but God saw that they did not last. Ephraim, what shall I do to you? Judah, what shall I do to you? For your love is like a morning cloud, and like the dew that disappears early. Their sorrow faded before it changed how they lived.

God then said what He truly wanted. For I desire mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. Offerings mattered, but they could not replace a loving, faithful heart. Instead, the people had broken the covenant.

Show What You Know

  1. What did the people say God would do after tearing them?

  2. What did they say was as sure as the sunrise?

  3. What was their love like?

  4. What does God desire more than burnt offerings?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

cloudGodgoodreturnsun
  1. Hosea 6 begins with words of .
  2. The people trusted that would revive them.
  3. As surely as the rises, Yahweh will appear.
  4. These were words, but God saw that they did not last.
  5. For your love is like a morning , and like the dew that disappears early.

Think About It

  1. Israel's love disappeared like morning dew. How can your love for God become steady and lasting?

  2. God wants mercy more than sacrifice. How can you show mercy to someone this week?

Memory Verse

“For I desire mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.”

Hosea 6:6 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for coming to us like the rain. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

  • What did Israel break, like Adam?
  • The people said, let us press on to know Yahweh. How could you and a friend help each other keep learning about God?

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.