Topical Bible: Abomination to God: Sorcery and Necromancy

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◄ Abomination to God: Sorcery and Necromancy ►

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Definition and Context:
Sorcery and necromancy are practices that involve the use of supernatural powers or communication with the dead, often for the purpose of divination, manipulation, or gaining hidden knowledge. These practices are considered abominations in the biblical context, as they are seen as attempts to circumvent God's authority and seek power or knowledge from sources other than Him.

Biblical References:

1. Old Testament Prohibitions:
· Deuteronomy 18:10-12 : "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 an abomination to the LORD, and because of these abominations the LORD your God is driving out the nations before you."
· Leviticus 19:31 : "You must not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out, or you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God."
· Leviticus 20:6 : "Whoever turns to mediums or spiritists and prostitutes himself with them, I will set My face against that person and cut him off from his people."

2. Historical Instances:
· 1 Samuel 28:7-8 : King Saul, in desperation, seeks out the witch of Endor to summon the spirit of the prophet Samuel, an act that ultimately leads to his downfall. "Then Saul said to his servants, 'Find me a woman who is a medium, so I may go and inquire of her.' 'There is a woman at Endor who is a medium,' they replied. So Saul disguised himself by putting on different clothes, and he set out with two of his men. They came to the woman by night, and Saul said, 'Consult a spirit for me,' he said. 'Bring up for me the one I name.'"
· 2 Kings 21:6 : King Manasseh's reign is marked by his engagement in sorcery and necromancy, which provokes God's anger. "He sacrificed his own son in the fire, practiced sorcery and divination, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger."

3. Prophetic Condemnations:
· Isaiah 8:19 : The prophet Isaiah warns against seeking guidance from the dead. "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?"
· Isaiah 47:12-14 : A denunciation of Babylon's reliance on sorcery and astrology. "Persist, then, in your spells and in your many sorceries, at which you have labored from your youth. Perhaps you will succeed; perhaps you will inspire terror! You are wearied by your many counselors; let them come forward now and save you—your astrologers who observe the stars, who monthly predict your fate. Surely they are like stubble; the fire will burn them up. They cannot even save themselves from the power of the flame."

4. New Testament Warnings:
· Galatians 5:19-21 : Sorcery is listed among the works of the flesh that prevent inheritance of the kingdom of God. "The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."
· Revelation 21:8 : Sorcerers are among those who face the second death in the lake of fire. "But to the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death."

Theological Implications:
Sorcery and necromancy are seen as direct affronts to God's sovereignty and holiness. They represent a rejection of divine guidance and an attempt to gain control or insight through illicit means. The Bible consistently portrays these practices as spiritually dangerous and morally corrupt, leading to separation from God and His community.

Nave's Topical Index

Deuteronomy 18:10,11
There shall not be found among you any one that makes his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that uses divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Unclean Spirits.
... beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched ... all that do these things
are an abomination unto the ... of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the unclean spirits.htm

The Second vision "On Earth"
... in Jerusalem is clear from 2 Thessalonians 2:4, for Antichrist is to sit as God
there; and "the abomination of desolation" is to be there set up (Matthew 24:15 ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the second vision on earth.htm