Matthew Poole and continuators on Hosea 4:12

12 ¶ My people ask counsel at their stocks , and their staffe declareth unto them : for the spirit of whoredom hath caused them to erre , and they have gone a whoring from under their God .

Whom I chose, brought out of Egypt, and setled in this land who are not yet cast off, though they deserve it, who call themselves my people.

Enquire about future things, and what shall befall them; I threaten from Heaven, they believe not me, but flatter themselves 'twil be better than my Prophets say it will, and they enquire of their Idolatrous priests concerning their Fate.

Wooden Statues or Idols with which their priests consult, and make them give answer suiting to the hope of these people.

This was an other kind of forbidden consulting with the Devil; an art much in use in those times and places. You read of this Ezek. 21.21. These were parts of their sottish Idolatry. So they thought, they believed what their false Prophets reported from the staffe or stock; unparallel'd folly not to believe God speaking from heaven, but at the same time believe a Stock or Staffe that knows not in whose hand 'tis, or what use 'tis put to.

A Heart addicted to, and ensnared with whoredoms Spiritual and Corporal.

Hath blinded, misled and deceived them. So Isa. 40.20. and 44.14, 18.

So they have left their God, refusing to be under his guidance, endeavouring to evade his Corrections; and to fortifie themselves, Rebel like, against his Armies raised to Chastise them, trusting herein to Idols.

Marginal references: chap. 5.4.