History of Divination vs. Discernment in Hebrew Tradition

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the word bibliomancy  “divination by books, or by verses of the Bible” was first recorded in 1753

Although some Christian and Jewish groups believe that the Bible forbids divination in general, Deuteronomy strictly forbids specifically nahash and me’onen. The literal meaning of nahash is hissing, though it can be extended to whispering, and it has historically been understood to refer to enchantment; me’onen is derived from the word “onah” meaning time/period/season, therefore “me’onen” is one who prescribes certain times as being good or bad for certain activities.

According to the the Book of Jewish Law (the Shulchan Aruch ) it is not the sin of necromancy to divine an answer using the “goral“,the practice of opening the Chumash to see an answer to a question, or asking a child for the first piece of scripture that comes to his mind. (Wikipedia)

As with many of our words, the meanings have become twisted and misused. To divine something truly is the same as discerning it, just to set that record straight.

However, the popular meaning of “divination” is “to gain knowledge of the unknown through some outside source, usually associated with a means like cards, a crystal/crystal ball, a medium or other type of “spiritual” intermediary.” Why is this a problem? Because in the spirit world (which is where you are seeking your answers from) there are ONLY two “sides”: God’s. And Satan’s. The problem comes in where you try to seek an answer to your problem/question/etc. through Satan’s minions instead of God’s guidance.

Satan and his minions copy EVERYTHING God has established – or at least try to. That’s where all the ancient sooth-sayers, wizards, necromancers, etc. came in. It’s where all the current “spirit guides”, channeling and Tarot cards come from. Satan and the demons will ALWAYS lie. They may mix a little truth in with the lie to deceive and try to validate it, but the end purpose of what they are telling you is to draw you in further and further into the kingdom of darkness, and eventually into the pit of Hell for eternity. Their plan, in giving you “answers” for questions about the past or future, are for your destruction – not your growth in the Lord.

And so God is VERY clear that His children do NOT seek answers from these type of sources:

Isaiah 8:19-20  When they say to you, “Consult the mediums and the spiritists who whisper and mutter,” should not a people consult their God? Should they consult the dead on behalf of the living? To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn.

Leviticus 20:6  ‘As for the person who turns to mediums and to spiritists, to play the harlot after them, I will also set My face against that person and will cut him off from among his people.

On the other hand, God uses means like a Word of Knowledge, a Prophecy, a Holy Spirit guided opening of the Bible, Bible Promises book or other holy, anointed book, casting lots, using Rhemas from many different sources. He sends these messages/words in order to encourage, to warn, to make His will known and to guide. To lovingly draw a soul further into the Kingdom of God.

I Cor. 12:8 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit.

Acts 1:21-26 Therefore it is necessary that of the men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us— ²² beginning with the baptism of John until the day that He was taken up from us—one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.” ²³ So they put forward two men, Joseph called Barsabbas (who was also called Justus), and Matthias. ²⁴ And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, show which one of these two You have chosen ²⁵ to occupy this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” ²⁶ And they drew lots for them, and the lot fell to Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.

These methods are not only God-ordained, they are tested, tried and true when used in full faith in God, a child-like faith that is asking the Father for a fish, and surely not receiving a serpent.

Carol Jennings