Should You Open Up to a Diviner.
But here’s the twist — the figure wasn’t Samuel. It was a familiar spirit, a deceptive entity adept at mimicking those it had observed.
When we delve into the realm of witchcraft and divination, it’s essential to understand their true nature, not just the cultural fascination surrounding them. Witchcraft, from the Old English wiċċecræft, hints at a mystical, hidden knowledge. Yet, in biblical terms, practices like divination are encapsulated in the Hebrew word qecem.
Consider the story of Saul and the witch of Endor to see why qecem is something to avoid. Saul, once a formidable king, now drenched in anxiety and fear, feels utterly abandoned by God. The Philistines are closing in, and his desperation drives him to seek forbidden guidance from a medium. Desperate times, indeed, often lead to desperate measures.
Saul’s figure now cloaked and trembling, sneaking through the night with his servants. The witch’s house, nestled in the dark outskirts, awaits them. It’s an eerie setting, thick with tension. The Philistine camp noises, not too far off, remind them of the looming threat.
Saul arrives at the witch’s door, her hesitation evident. After all, Saul had outlawed all necromancers and mediums, a law now ironically turned on its head by the very king who enacted it. Disguising his identity, he promises her safety, invoking the Lord’s name no less. “By the Lord who lives, you will not be punished for this,” he assures, a stark betrayal of his own decree.
With reluctant agreement, the witch begins her incantations. The air grows heavier, her chants twisting the night. Suddenly, she gasps, eyes wide with terror. “I see a god coming up out of the earth,” she exclaims. Saul, heart pounding, demands a description. She describes an old man, wrapped in a robe. Saul recognizes the figure and bows low.
The witch, perhaps sensing the depth of his despair, insists he eat to regain strength.
But here’s the twist — the figure wasn’t Samuel. It was a familiar spirit, a deceptive entity adept at mimicking those it had observed. Familiar spirits eavesdrop, gathering intimate details to use in deception. This spirit, knowing Saul’s history with Samuel, seized the opportunity to impersonate the prophet convincingly.
“Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” the spirit intones. Saul, desperate and broken, spills his woes. The Philistines press hard, and without God’s guidance, he feels lost. This is the moment the familiar spirit takes full advantage of.
“Why do you consult me, now that the Lord has turned away from you and become your enemy?” the spirit continues, echoing Samuel’s past prophecies. It foretells doom: the kingdom torn away, David the new king, Israel and Saul delivered into Philistine hands. Tomorrow, it declares, Saul and his sons will be with it — in death.
These chilling words strike Saul to his core. He collapses, utterly spent, having fasted all day and night. The witch, perhaps sensing the depth of his despair, insists he eat to regain strength. She prepares a meal, and Saul, dazed, eats before leaving, his fate now seemingly sealed.
Why does this matter today? Divination, like the one Saul turned to, promises insight and power, appealing especially to those in distress. Yet, it leads away from God, ensnaring believers in spiritual traps. These practices mimic divine wisdom but are ultimately deceptive and destructive.
In our modern world, qecem appears in various guises — horoscopes, psychic readings, and more. They offer a sense of control, leading only to confusion and spiritual bondage.
So, what’s the takeaway from Saul’s encounter with the witch of Endor? Divination isn’t just a harmless curiosity. It’s a serious spiritual misstep with dire consequences. True guidance and wisdom come from God alone, not from deceiving spirits masquerading as familiar faces.
Just as Saul’s faith in the spirit’s words led to his downfall, so too can modern dabbling in such practices lead us astray. By understanding and avoiding qecem, we protect ourselves from these subtle yet powerful deceptions. The path to true peace and insight lies not in the shadows of witchcraft but in the light of God’s word.
