What can we learn from the king's use of divination in Ezekiel 21:21? Setting the Scene Ezekiel 21 paints the picture of God’s imminent judgment on Jerusalem. Verse 21 zooms in on the moment when Nebuchadnezzar reaches the fork in the road: “ For the king of Babylon stands at the fork in the road, at the junction of the two roads, to cast lots with arrows, to consult idols, and to inspect the liver.” What the King Actually Did • Cast lots with arrows – an archery-based form of lot-casting to determine yes/no answers. • Consulted idols – bringing household gods for oracular guidance. • Inspected the liver – a form of hepatoscopy, reading the shape and markings of an animal’s liver. Why God Highlights This Moment • Demonstrates God’s sovereignty: though the king uses pagan methods, the Lord still directs the outcome (cf. Proverbs 16:33; Jeremiah 27:6–7). • Shows the futility of human superstition contrasted with the certainty of God’s word already spoken through Ezekiel (Ezekiel 21:1–7). • Underscores Judah’s guilt: God allows a pagan king’s divination to seal Jerusalem’s fate because His own people ignored His prophets (2 Chronicles 36:15–17). Key Lessons for Us Today • God rules even over ungodly means. He can steer a pagan ritual to fulfill His clear purposes (Isaiah 46:9-11). • Divination is forbidden for God’s people (Leviticus 19:26; Deuteronomy 18:10-12). Trust in revelation, not superstition. • When God’s word is ignored, people grasp for counterfeit guidance; judgment often follows (Amos 8:11-12). • The appearance of “success” in ungodly practices never legitimizes them (Psalm 37:7-9). • Scripture is the sure guide; anything else is shifting sand (Psalm 119:105; Matthew 7:24-27). Scripture to Reflect On • Proverbs 16:33 – “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.” • Isaiah 44:24-25 – God “frustrates the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners.” • Acts 13:8-12 – the apostle rebukes Elymas the sorcerer, showing God’s opposition to occult practices. Personal Application Points • Examine sources of guidance: are they grounded in Scripture or in cultural superstition? • Rest in God’s sovereignty; He directs even what seems random. • Replace curiosity about hidden knowledge with diligent study of God’s revealed word. |
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