Topical Bible: Divination: Effected Through: A Lucrative Employment

◄ Divination: Effected Through: A Lucrative Employment ►

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Divination, the practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown by supernatural means, is addressed in various contexts throughout the Bible. It is often associated with practices that are condemned by God, as they rely on sources other than Him for guidance and insight. In the ancient world, divination was not only a spiritual practice but also a lucrative employment for many who claimed to possess the ability to interpret omens, dreams, or communicate with the spiritual realm.

Biblical Instances and Warnings

The Bible provides several instances where divination is linked to financial gain. One notable example is found in the New Testament, in the account of the Apostle Paul in Philippi. Here, a slave girl possessed by a spirit of divination brought her owners much profit through fortune-telling. Acts 16:16-19 states:

"Once, as we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl with a spirit of divination, who earned a large income for her masters by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, 'These men are servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation.' She continued this for many days. Eventually Paul grew so aggravated that he turned and said to the spirit, 'In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!' And it came out at that very moment. When her owners saw that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities."

This passage highlights the financial motivation behind the practice of divination and the economic impact of its disruption. The girl's owners were more concerned with their loss of income than the spiritual liberation she experienced.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, divination is frequently associated with pagan practices and is explicitly forbidden by God. Deuteronomy 18:10-12 warns the Israelites:

"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 underscores its incompatibility with the worship of Yahweh, as it often involved reliance on false gods and spirits. Despite this, divination remained a profitable enterprise in many ancient cultures, as people sought guidance and assurance from sources other than God.

Economic and Social Implications

The practice of divination as a lucrative employment reflects the human desire for control over the unknown and the future. Those who claimed to possess such abilities often held significant social influence and economic power. This is evident in the account of Balaam, a diviner whose services were sought by Balak, king of Moab, to curse the Israelites. Numbers 22:7 notes:

"The elders of Moab and Midian left with the fees for divination in hand. They came to Balaam and relayed to him the words of Balak."

Balaam's account illustrates the intersection of divination, economic gain, and political maneuvering. Although Balaam ultimately could not curse Israel as God intervened, his initial willingness to engage in divination for profit is clear.

Spiritual Consequences

The Bible consistently portrays divination as a practice that leads people away from reliance on God. It is often associated with deception and spiritual bondage, as seen in the case of the slave girl in Acts. The financial benefits derived from divination are temporary and ultimately lead to spiritual consequences, both for the practitioners and those who seek their services.

In summary, divination as a lucrative employment is depicted in the Bible as a practice that exploits human fears and desires for profit, while leading individuals away from true faith and reliance on God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Numbers 22:7
And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came to Balaam, and spoke to him the words of Balak.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 16:16
And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:
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