Hosea 4:12 My people ask counsel from their wooden [idols], And their staff informs them. For the spirit of harlotry has caused [them] to stray, And they have played the harlot against their God.
Wood is a common material on Earth, and if we say precious material, then diamonds get counted in it. But when we look at the universe, one would be surprised to know diamonds are very common, and large diamond meteorites roam the galaxy, but wood is the most precious material a thousand times over.
In Hebrew, the word ‘ets’ used for ‘wood’ comes from the root word ‘to shut’. They were initially used to make doors and then for other things. In battle, they used them to make shields, but later had to be covered with leather so as to strengthen them and make them more effective.
In Bible symbolism, wood symbolises the earthly/carnal nature of man. Coal, which comes from wood, means ‘to be black’.
Our human/Adam nature prevents us from walking in the spirit, which is why Jesus, as man in OT prophecies, did not use the word ‘Adam’ for Himself as man but used the word ‘Ishi’. Adam means ‘reddish’, which symbolises being ‘full of life’, while Ishi means ‘mortal’, symbolising ‘to die’.
As Christians, we are called not to seek earthly life but to look forward to leaving it; but only after doing our mission, in other words, we are on a work visa.
The Hebrew word for ‘staff’ comes from the root word ‘to germinate’, to have growth.
Through today’s scripture, the Lord is telling us His people have made men of the world, walking in worldly knowledge, power and wisdom as their idols, so take counsel from them. They look at their worldly growth and take pride in it. This idolatry has caused them to go whoring spiritually, making themselves enemies of God.
[Prayer Starter]
Lord, You are Almighty God. You, Lord, created the Heavens, and when darkness came, You created man to be the light that overcomes darkness, by the power of Truth. Lord, we pray that we walk by faith and not by sight. We do not let this world and its principles affect us, but walk in the principles and power of Your Kingdom…
This prayer we make in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
[Reference Scriptures]
Proverbs 26:21 [As] coals [are] to burning coals, and wood to fire; so [is] a contentious man to kindle strife.
Philippians 3:17-21
17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, [that they are] the enemies of the cross of Christ:
19 Whose end [is] destruction, whose God [is their] belly, and [whose] glory [is] in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
Dated 03 Feb 2026
Bro Rollwyn