Daily Devotions
Isaiah
"To the law and to the testimony"
Text: Isaiah 8:20
SEEKING THE OCCULTIC MEDIUMS
Idolatry had become widespread in Israel. There were those who professed that they could consult with those who had died. Many were drawn to these occultic practices.
“And when they say to you,
‘Seek those who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and mutter,’
should not a people seek their God?
Should they seek 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 there is no light in them.”
Isaiah 8:19-20
1. Occultic practices
a) This involves consulting mediums and wizards who whisper and mutter.
b) The law of Moses was very clear on this matter.
“If there arises among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and he gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder comes to pass, of which he spoke to you, saying, ‘Let us go after other gods’—which you have not known—’and let us serve them,’ you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams, for the LORD your God is testing you to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
You shall walk after the LORD your God and fear Him, and keep His commandments and obey His voice; you shall serve Him and hold fast to Him. But that prophet or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death, because he has spoken in order to turn you away from the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of bondage, to entice you from the way in which the LORD your God commanded you to walk. So you shall put away the evil from your midst.”
Deuteronomy 13:1-5
2. Seeking God
a) The nation should be seeking the LORD their God.
b) The people should never engage in occultic practices!
3. The law and the testimony
a) God had given the holy Scriptures.
b) The law and testimony will give the necessary light.
c) Mediums and wizards cannot shed any light!