NECROMANCY

1 Samuel 28:8—So Saul disguised himself, putting on other clothes, and at night he and two men went to the woman. “Consult a spirit for me,” he said, “and bring up for me the one I name.”

Highway 58 in Virginia is a beautiful four lane road that eventually ends in the Norfolk, Virginia Beach area for those who are traveling east. Tiny towns like Edgerton and Capron straddle the road. We have crossed through a great number of small communities in our adventure across America. It’s absolutely amazing how many First Baptist Churches exist! But another most surprising pattern emerged—in town after town our eyes were drawn to the neon beckon of the local palm reader.

Evidently, the practice of analyzing lines across hands is alive and well. I only hope that palms that open before the soothsayer are not the same that fold in prayer to an unseen Father across the street. For God’s people the operative word should be faith—trust that though I do not know what will come tomorrow, I am confident in the leading of the One Who made time. If we think it is a harmless act of curiosity to consult a soothsayer we in actuality are rebelling against the Lord Who commanded, “Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God.” (Lev.19:31)

Mediums were to be put to death by the Israelites. Does that sound unbelievably harsh? Well consider that these people were consulting spirits—not the Holy Spirit. They were setting themselves up in league with Satan to access information regarding the future—a total act of rebellion. Light cannot work in cooperation with the dark to shed new light. Is God’s primary concern for us that we know tomorrow’s outcome or that we live obediently today? What fuels those who consult spirits—is it perhaps fear, distrust and insecurity? What marks God’s children—should it not be love, peace and abiding hope?

Our Bible tells the sad story in 1 Samuel of King Saul in desperation seeking the help of a witch to determine the outcome of a battle he faced. His broken relationship with God led him to disobey his own edict and consult a medium. Do not play with the toys of the occultist—those who deal in secrets. Do not embrace the dead to understand the living. To do so is to play with unholy fire.

Inspiration

If we turn to necromancy even in such seemingly ridiculous ways of telling fortunes in teacups or by cards or planchette, we commit a crime against our own souls, we are probing where we have no right to probe. People say, “There’s no harm in it.” There is all the harm and the backing of the devil in it. The only One who can open up the profound mysteries of life is God, and He will do it as He sees we can stand it.—Oswald Chambers in The Servant as His Lord