Hosea 11
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)
The Explanation
Listen. God is talking. And God sounds a little sad.
God says: "Long ago, Israel was still small. Like a little child. And I loved that child so much."
Do you know what God did? God taught Israel to walk. Just like Mommy or Daddy taught you. God held two little hands. Step by step. Slowly forward.
And when the child fell, God kissed the ouchie better. When the child was hungry, God bent down low. God gave food. Warm bread. Good food.
God loved that child so, so much.
But then the child got bigger. And the child walked away. Away from God. The child did not listen anymore. The child said: "I don't want God. I want to do it myself."
That hurt God's heart.
What Does This Mean?
God says: "How can I let you go? You are my child!"
Do you hear how God feels? God's heart is full. So full of love. God cannot stop loving. Even when the child walks away, God keeps loving.
God says: "I am not going to be angry forever. I am God. My love is very, very big."
The Common Thread
God calls, like a Daddy calls his children home. "Come back! Come home!"
And you know what? Long, long later, God sent Jesus. Jesus came to bring all the children home. Jesus opened His arms wide. Jesus said: "Come to Me."
God still calls today. Every day. God whispers: "Come. I love you."
For You
Think about your hands. Little hands. Look at them.
Once, when you were very small, someone held your hands. And you learned to walk. Wobble, wobble, plop. Wobble, wobble, plop. And then you could walk!
God is like that. God holds your hand. Every day. When you are happy, God is close. When you are sad, God is close. When you are scared in the dark, God is close.
And sometimes you forget God. That is okay. Because God never, ever forgets you. God's heart is too full of love for that.
Can you hear God whispering? "You are My child. I love you."
Talk About It
Who taught you to walk? Did you fall a lot?
God loves you so much. What do you want to say back to God?
Praying Together
Dear God,
Thank You that You hold my hand.
Thank You that You love me so much.
When I forget You, please call me back.
I want to walk with You.
Amen.
Questions about Hosea 11
Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.
What is Hosea 11 about?
What does Hosea 11 say?
What does Hosea 11 teach us about God?
What can toddlers learn from Hosea 11?
Why is Hosea 11 an important Bible story?
What others discovered
The sword will fall on their cities, and will destroy the bars of their gates, and will put an end to their plans." Israel bolted the gates against the wrong enemy. They barred the city while leaving their hearts wide open to Baal. What are you reinforcing right now? Some of our strongest defenses are built around the very places God is trying to reach.
God says, "for I am God, and not man; the Holy One among you; and I will not come in wrath." Notice the logic. His holiness is the reason He spares, not the reason He strikes. We would have burned the bridge by now. That is exactly the point. His mercy is not a softer version of ours. It is a different kind altogether.
They won't return into the land of Egypt; but the Assyrian will be their king, because they refused to repent." God had carried this people out of slavery, taught them to walk. Refusing to turn back to him never leaves you free. It just hands you a different master. Who is ruling you while you keep putting off that return?
Yet I taught Ephraim to walk. I took them by his arms; but they didn't know that I healed them."
God bending down, holding a child's wrists, taking step after patient step. And the child never knew. Think of what you healed from and called luck, or your own strength, or time. Those were his hands. He steadied you when you were too busy falling to look up.
Looking for something for slightly older children?
We also have dedicated versions for elementary age (7-12) and teens (12 and up).
Open in the Children's Bible tool
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