Which Old Testament kingdoms do the two sticks in the prophecy represent?
The two sticks represent the Old Testament's northern kingdom and southern kingdom. Placed end to end, they picture God joining the divided kingdoms together, so the two sticks become one stick, signifying restoration. The prophecy points to Israel's future regathering from among the Gentiles into their own land.
Les explains that the Prophet was told to take two sticks and put them end to end. One stick stands for the northern kingdom as it was known in the Old Testament, and the other stands for the southern kingdom. When the two are joined, one stick appears instead of two. Les connects this to God's promise in verse 21 that He will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, or the Gentiles, gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land. That is God talking, and it is His promise.