Topical Bible: Divination: Frustrated by God

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Divination, the practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown through supernatural means, is consistently portrayed in the Bible as contrary to the will of God. Throughout Scripture, divination is associated with pagan practices and is explicitly condemned as an abomination to the Lord. The Bible provides numerous accounts where God frustrates the efforts of those who engage in divination, demonstrating His sovereignty and the futility of seeking guidance apart from Him.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, divination is often linked with idolatry and false prophecy. The Law of Moses explicitly forbids the Israelites from engaging in divination, emphasizing its incompatibility with the worship of Yahweh. 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, and because of these detestable things the LORD your God is driving out the nations before you."

The narrative of Balaam in the Book of Numbers illustrates God's frustration of divination. Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet, is hired by Balak, the king of Moab, to curse the Israelites. Despite his attempts to use divination, Balaam is unable to curse Israel because God intervenes, compelling him to bless them instead (Numbers 22-24). This account underscores God's control over the spiritual realm and His ability to thwart the plans of those who seek to manipulate it through divination.

Prophetic Denunciation

The prophets of Israel frequently denounce divination, associating it with false prophets who lead the people astray. In Ezekiel 13:6-7 , God condemns the false prophets, saying, "They see false visions and speak lying divinations. They claim, ‘Thus declares the LORD,’ when the LORD did not send them; yet they wait for the fulfillment of their message. Have you not seen a false vision and spoken a lying divination when you proclaim, ‘Thus declares the LORD,’ even though I have not spoken?"

Jeremiah also speaks against divination, warning the people not to listen to those who practice it. In Jeremiah 27:9-10 , he declares, "So do not listen to your prophets, your diviners, your dreamers, your soothsayers, or your sorcerers who say to you, ‘You will not serve the king of Babylon.’ For they prophesy to you a lie, to remove you far from your land; I will banish you and you will perish."

New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, the practice of divination continues to be rejected. The account of Simon the Sorcerer in Acts 8:9-24 illustrates the incompatibility of divination with the Christian faith. Simon, who had practiced sorcery in Samaria, attempts to buy the power of the Holy Spirit from the apostles. Peter rebukes him, saying, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!" (Acts 8:20). This incident highlights the distinction between the power of God and the deceptive practices of divination.

Another significant New Testament account is found in Acts 16:16-18, where Paul encounters a slave girl possessed by a spirit of divination. The girl, who earns money for her owners by fortune-telling, follows Paul and his companions, proclaiming them as servants of the Most High God. Paul, troubled by the spirit, commands it to leave her in the name of Jesus Christ, and she is immediately freed. This act demonstrates the authority of Christ over demonic forces and the ultimate futility of divination.

Theological Implications

The consistent biblical condemnation of divination underscores the importance of seeking guidance and revelation solely from God. Divination represents a reliance on powers and entities outside of God's ordained means of communication, such as prayer, Scripture, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. By frustrating the efforts of those who practice divination, God reaffirms His sovereignty and the sufficiency of His revelation to His people.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 44:25
That frustrates the tokens of the liars, and makes diviners mad; that turns wise men backward, and makes their knowledge foolish;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Last King of Judah
... and the exiles, and would have frustrated the merciful ... heart from turning unto the
Lord God of Israel ... more any vain vision nor flattering divination within the ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 36 the last king.htm

The Ascension of Isaiah.
... the beloved hath frustrated thy purpose, and the ... and the worship of Almighty God
(Eth ... multiplied there; incantation, augury, divination, fornication, adultery ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the ascension of isaiah.htm

The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
... they met with no opposition from the inhabitants, headed for Delos, where Datis
offered a sacrifice to Apollo, whom he confounded with his god Mithra; finally ...
/.../chapter iithe last days of 2.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... Speaking as the prophet of Jahveh, it was to Jahveh that he attributed the impending
downfall of the oppressor: "Jahveh is a jealous God and avengeth; Jahveh ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm