Topical Bible: Divination: Those Who Practised: Regarded With Awe

◄ Divination: Those Who Practised: Regarded With Awe ►

Topical Encyclopedia

Divination, the practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown by supernatural means, is a recurring theme in the Bible. Throughout the Scriptures, individuals who practiced divination were often regarded with a mixture of awe and fear, as their abilities were perceived to tap into hidden realms of knowledge and power. However, the Bible consistently warns against such practices, emphasizing reliance on God alone for guidance and wisdom.

Old Testament Context

In the ancient Near East, divination was a common practice among various cultures, including the Egyptians, Babylonians, and Canaanites. The Israelites, surrounded by these influences, were explicitly warned against adopting such practices. Deuteronomy 18:10-12 states, "Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, practices divination or conjury, interprets omens, practices sorcery, casts spells, consults a medium or spiritist, or inquires of the dead. For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD."

Despite these prohibitions, certain individuals in the biblical narrative are noted for their engagement in divination, often eliciting awe from those around them. One such figure is Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet whose account is recounted in Numbers 22-24. Balaam was sought by Balak, the king of Moab, to curse the Israelites. Although Balaam's divinatory practices were condemned, his reputation as a seer was such that Balak believed he could alter the course of events through his pronouncements.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the practice of divination continues to be acknowledged, though it is consistently portrayed in a negative light. Acts 16:16-18 recounts the account of a slave girl in Philippi who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much profit by fortune-telling. The girl followed Paul and his companions, proclaiming them as "servants of the Most High God." Paul, troubled by the spirit, commanded it to leave her in the name of Jesus Christ, and she was freed from its influence. This incident highlights the tension between the awe inspired by divinatory powers and the Christian imperative to reject such practices.

Cultural and Religious Significance

The awe surrounding practitioners of divination in biblical times can be attributed to the human desire for control over the unknown and the future. In a world where uncertainty was a constant, those who claimed to possess insight into hidden truths were often revered. However, the biblical narrative consistently points to the sovereignty of God as the ultimate source of wisdom and guidance. Isaiah 8:19 admonishes, "When men tell you to consult the spirits of the dead and the spiritists who whisper and mutter, should not a people consult their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?"

Conclusion

While divination and its practitioners were often regarded with awe in biblical times, the Scriptures unequivocally direct believers to seek guidance from God alone. The awe inspired by divinatory practices is contrasted with the biblical call to trust in the Lord, who alone knows the future and holds all wisdom.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 8:9,11
But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:
Torrey's Topical Textbook