Courtney Gilmore Where do we go for answers to the future? Should we see a fortune teller or read our horoscope? How do we determine which direction to go or what decision to make? Do we look for an omen, or maybe a sign in the stars? How do we understand ourselves and those around us? Maybe we need to study the zodiac signs.
What about when we miss our loved one who passed away? Should we find someone who can speak to the dead, a medium who can communicate between this world and the spirit world? What can we do about our enemies? Maybe we can find someone to cast a spell on them? Where’s a good Voodoo Dr. when you need him?
All the things mentioned above fall into the realm of divination – the discerning of divine things. We all long for divine revelation. But, God tells His people not to practice divination.
There shall not be found among you anyone who… practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or a charmer, or a medium, or a necromancer, or one who inquires of the dead. For whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord.
Deuteronomy 18:10-12
But why are these things forbidden? Maybe they don’t work, but isn’t it worth a try? Or maybe it’s all just fun and games. What can be the harm?
A Diviner
Balak, the king of Moab, was concerned when the Israelites settled on the edge of his land. He knew what they ‘d done to the Amorite nations of Bashan and Sihon, and he was afraid they would eventually rise up against him too. There were so many of them and it was obvious that their God was powerful in everything He had done against the Egyptians too. Balak would need divine intervention himself if he had any chance against the Israelites.
He knew of a man named Balaam who was a diviner. It was said that whoever he cursed, was cursed and whoever he blessed, was blessed. So he hired Balaam to curse the people, but the Lord forbid him from cursing them, saying that He had already blessed them. But Balak was insistent and he took Balaam to three separate places asking him to curse them. Each time the Lord pronounced further blessings through Balaam towards Israel.
Balaam took up his discourse and said, “Rise, Balak, and hear… God is not a man that He should lie. He is not a son of man, that He should change His mind. Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will he not fulfill it?
Behold, I received a command to bless: He has blessed, and I cannot revoke it. He has not beheld misfortune in Jacob, nor has He seen trouble in Israel. The Lord their God is with them and the shout of a king is among them. God brings them out of Egypt and is for them like the horns of the wild ox. For there is no enchantment against Jacob, no divination against Israel.”
Numbers 23:18-23
All Spirits Are Not the Same
There is no point in consulting anyone who claims to be able to curse or put a spell on anyone, because no one can change the will of God or stand against Him.
The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.
Proverbs 16:1 & 33
There is no reason for us to ask anyone about the future or for any sort of divine understanding because only God knows.
Daniel answered the king and said, “No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers can show to the king the mystery that the king has asked. But there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and He has made know to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the ladder days. Your dream and visions of your head, as you lay in bed, are these: …”
Daniel 2:27-28
All spirits are not the same.
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.
1 John 4:1
The Divine
He created the world and He is sovereign over it. He alone has power and knowledge.
Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, who formed you from the womb: “I am the Lord who made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by myself, who frustrates the signs of liars and makes fools of diviners, who turns wise men back and makes their knowledge foolishness.
Isaiah 44:24-25
He alone is worthy of seeking.
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever… Give thanks to the God of gods… to the Lord of lords… to Him who alone does great wonders… to Him who by understanding made the heavens… to Him who spread out the earth above the waters… to Him who made the great lights… the sun to rule over the day… the moon and stars to rule over the night…
To Him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt… and brought Israel out from among the… with a strong hand and an outstretched arm… to Him who divided the Red Sea in two… and mad Israel pass through the midst of it… but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea… to Him who led His people through the wilderness… to Him who struck down great kings… and killed mighty kings… Sihon, king of the Amorites… and Og, king of Bashan… and gave their land as a heritage… a heritage to Israel His servant…
It is He who remembered us in our low estate… and rescued us from our foes… He who gives food to all flesh… Give thanks to the God of heaven, for His steadfast love endures forever.
Each line is followed by the phrase “for His steadfast love endures forever”
Psalm 136
God Alone
So if you have questions or you need direction, if you are seeking to understand the world, yourself, your circumstances, or the people around you, or if you want to know the divine will, seek the One who alone is Divine.
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His glory and excellence.
2 Peter 1:3
Excerpt from Episode 97 “What are Your Intentions?” on Podcast and YouTube
All Podcasts
