Hosea 7 · Grade 4

Ephraim Is a Pancake

Name Date

Read and Think

Hosea 7 begins with God's desire to heal: When I would heal Israel, then the iniquity of Ephraim is uncovered. Each time God reached out, more sin came to light. They don't consider in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness.

Hosea uses everyday pictures. Their anger burned like a hot oven. Ephraim mixes himself among the nations. Ephraim is a pancake not turned over, cooked on only one side. Strangers had taken his strength, and he doesn't realize it, like gray hairs a person does not notice.

Ephraim is like an easily deceived dove, without understanding. They call to Egypt. They go to Assyria. God said, They haven't cried to me with their heart. They return, but not to the Most High. They were like a faulty bow that misses its target.

Show What You Know

What happened each time God wanted to heal Israel?
What does a pancake not turned over picture?
What did Ephraim not realize?
What were they like when they returned, but not to God?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

doveEphraimpancakeGodoven

Each time reached out, more sin came to light.
Their anger burned like a hot .
mixes himself among the nations.
Ephraim is a not turned over, cooked on only one side.
Ephraim is like an easily deceived , without understanding.

Think About It

Ephraim was weak and didn't realize it. How can we notice when we are drifting from God?
They called to Egypt instead of God. Who or what do you turn to first when you need help?

Memory Verse

“They haven’t cried to me with their heart, but they howl on their beds. They assemble themselves for grain and new wine. They turn away from me.”

Hosea 7:14 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for calling me back to You. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

Israel's hearts were hot like an oven. How can you cool down when you feel angry?
How did their anger burn?