God says in Hosea 4:12 that the people of Israel have asked counsel of their stocks and staffs. They were doing this instead of looking to him for answers to their problems.
The pagan people had mythical customs which the Israelites were mimicking. Sometimes they would take two sticks and drop them. Then a ‘wise’ person would look at how the sticks landed and make an interpretation. This ‘reading of the sticks’ was supposed to give answers to a question asked. Another custom was to have two sticks in a container. One stick would have a ‘yes’ answer engraved on it. The other stick would have a ‘no’ answer engraved on it. A person would reach in and pull a stick out. Whichever one came out was the answer to the question. Another custom was to take a stick and shave all the bark off one side. This stick would then be dropped. Whichever side was facing up gave the answer. If it was the shaved side, it was a ‘yes.’ If it was the side with bark, it was a ‘no.’
There are people today who do such silly things. They will look at crystals for answers. Some will look at leaves in a bowl. Some will look at cards being turned over. Some will look at skin creases in their palms. Some will look at the stars. Some will simply look to a fortuneteller.
God says we are to look to his Word for the answers to our problems. It contains the answers to make us the persons God wants us to be (2 Timothy 3:16-17). And God wants us to pray to him. He is always ready and willing to help us and give us comfort.
Do not be like the sinning Israelites. Do not look to the things that will give vain help. Look to God and his Word. Get advice from godly individuals who are following God. And if any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to help you.
