Topical Bible: Divination: Could not Injure the Lord's People

◄ Divination: Could not Injure the Lord's People ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Divination, in biblical terms, refers to the practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown through supernatural means. It is often associated with pagan rituals and is explicitly condemned in Scripture. Despite its prevalence in ancient cultures, the Bible consistently affirms that divination holds no power over the people of God.

One of the most illustrative accounts of divination's impotence against the Lord's people is found in the account of Balaam and Balak in the Book of Numbers. Balak, the king of Moab, was fearful of the Israelites as they encamped on the plains of Moab. In an attempt to curse them, Balak summoned Balaam, a diviner, to pronounce a curse upon Israel. However, Balaam found himself unable to do so, as God intervened directly.

Numbers 23:23 states, "For there is no sorcery against Jacob, no divination against Israel. It will now be said of Jacob and of Israel, ‘See what God has done!’" This verse underscores the futility of divination against those whom God has blessed. Despite Balaam's reputation as a seer, he could only speak the words that God put in his mouth, resulting in blessings rather than curses for Israel.

The narrative of Balaam and Balak highlights a fundamental biblical principle: the sovereignty of God over all spiritual forces. The Lord's protection over His people renders any attempt at divination powerless. This theme is echoed throughout Scripture, where God's authority and the security of His people are emphasized.

In Deuteronomy 18:10-12 , the Israelites are warned against engaging in divination and other occult practices: "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, and because of these detestable things the LORD your God is driving out the nations before you."

The prohibition against divination is not merely a cultural or ceremonial law but a reflection of the spiritual reality that God alone is the source of true wisdom and guidance. The Lord's people are called to rely on Him rather than seeking forbidden knowledge through occult means.

In the New Testament, the powerlessness of divination is further demonstrated in Acts 16:16-18 , where Paul encounters a slave girl possessed by a spirit of divination. The spirit enabled her to predict the future, bringing profit to her owners. However, when Paul commanded the spirit to leave her in the name of Jesus Christ, it departed immediately, illustrating the superior authority of Christ over any form of divination.

Throughout the biblical narrative, the consistent message is that divination cannot harm those who are under God's protection. The Lord's sovereignty and the faithfulness of His promises ensure that His people remain secure, regardless of any attempts to manipulate spiritual forces against them.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Numbers 23:23
Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What has God worked!
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Second vision "On Earth"
... are like serpents, having heads, and with them they do injure.]. ... xxii.10, John was
told "Seal not the words of ... was to pass before Daniel's words could be known. ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the second vision on earth.htm

The Confessions of St. Augustin Index of Subjects
... Divination, the soothsayers used sacrifices in their, [363 ... between, and one of our
Lord's temptations, [762 ... her confidence that she could not die without seeing ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/the confessions of st augustin.htm

The First Apology of Justin, the Martyr
... frank statements about everything, it will not injure us, since ... universe [and consider]
whether they could be governed ... the ship; the land is not plowed without ...
/.../richardson/early christian fathers/the first apology of justin.htm

Against Jovinianus.
... read too [4387] "So Joshua sent the people away, every ... son of Nun, the servant of
the Lord, died, being ... only saw the land of promise; he could not enter: and ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/against jovinianus.htm

A Holy Life the Beauty of Christianity: Or, an Exhortation to ...
... a prince who was bribed, to injure or destroy ... the wench that had a spirit of divination
did acknowledge ... exhort us to that which be could not perform himself. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a holy life the beauty.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... him, he cried out in amazement, "Ah, Lord God! ... the nation whose language thou knowest
not, neither understandest thou what they say."* Men could still picture ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm