Modern-Day Divinations
Reflective Reading: Psalm 115:3-8
My studies this week drew me to the Psalms. I learned we will become like whatever (or whoever) we worship.
“But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased. Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat. They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them” (Psalm 115:3-8).
Idolatry, or idol worship, comes in many forms. In most cases, it is what we hold on to as being most important. If crops were most important, then many ancient cultures worshipped the gods of nature. Some worshipped the sun, as in Egyptian culture, and the list of idol worship goes on and on.
When things didn’t go well, such as a famine or drought, the people believed that they had displeased their god (Baal) and were being punished. This led them to sacrifice their animals. If those sacrifices didn’t work, they went to greater lengths by cutting themselves and eventually sacrificing their own children. Obviously, these practices did not lead to abundant crops, more rain, or more sun. Whenever mankind worships the gods of their own making, it always leads to more requirements, work, intensity, self-effort, and self-worship. It always leads to the exact opposite of what the Lord required,
“What does the LORD require of me, but to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with thy God” (Micah 6:8).
Self-worship is both an ancient and present-day practice. Wherever there are people, there is likely to be some form of self-worship. Some native Americans built totem poles, which depicted the values of the tribe. Some aboriginal tribes carved animals as a means of connecting with the spiritual world or to depict a value of importance. For example, they might carve a bear to represent strength, which was highly regarded. If the value was intelligence or cunning, then the carving might be a fox. If they valued wisdom, then they might carve an owl. Carving representations of what they esteemed most often led to the worship of their own values, otherwise known as the worship of self.
Another form of idol worship pertained to the human body. People of Corinth had an idol for every part of the body. This may sound crazy, but if they were sick or had a continual sore throat, they could worship the tonsils! If they had an eye problem, they would worship an eye that was set in a jar. The strange list goes on and on.
One form of idol worship that helped to determine the will of a god was Hepatoscopy. Hepatoscopy is the study of the liver. In the ancient culture of Mesopotamia, they believed the liver was the seat of intelligence and memory. To determine their god’s will, they would sacrifice an animal and study its liver. Depending on its shape, texture, and color, priests would divine their god’s will. In Ezekiel 21:21 we read:
“For the king of Babylon stood at the parting of the way, at the head of the two ways, to use divination: he made his arrows bright, he consulted with images, he looked in the liver.”
Isn’t that just crazy? The king of Babylon “looked in the liver.” And not only did he look in the liver as a method for his divination but also added two other forms of divination just to make sure he was covering all his bases!
Today, the practice of divination and idol worship is as strong as it has ever been. Again, what we hold onto as most important can easily evolve into idol worship and divination. One has only to examine their checkbook or credit card statement to see where their priorities lie.
Just like the church of Corinth, we can become obsessed with our bodies and health. When we become preoccupied with our bodies, we can become dominated by the latest treatment, ancient Chinese cure, essential oils, tropical fruit drinks, teas, supplements, sleep aids, grass fed “chickens,” natural doctors (with no real medical degree or years of research), and the like.
As I write, I must give you a full confession; I have followed these practices from time to time and some of the “cures” have actually worked—for a time. Does this mean we should stop being involved in these things? Of course not. Often times, these resources have tangible benefits. The danger is becoming so attached and dependent upon these things that you no longer rely upon God. Whenever we become dependent upon something more than God, we are making it an idol. God is our great Physician and he promises to heal all of our diseases (Psalm 103:2-3).
In Proverbs 3:13-18 we read:
“Happy is the man that finds wisdom, and the man that gets understanding. For the merchandise of wisdom is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou can desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that strongly hold onto her: and happy is everyone that holds her close.”
In chapter 4:20-22, Solomon writes,
“My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.”
Are you presently a prisoner of modern-day divinations? Have you been seduced into idol worship? Has your prayer life and study of God’s love letters dwindled in exchange for worldly wisdom? There is a way to break free from these binding practices! The Apostle Paul writes regarding how to discern the will of God:
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Rom 12:1,2).
“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore, whoever disregards this disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you. Now concerning brotherly love, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another” (I Thess 4:2-9).
Paul continues in chapter 5 regarding the will of God:
Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you (1 Thess 5:16-18).
So the question is: Are we becoming joyful? More prayerful? More thankful? More sacrificial? More Holy? If the answer is yes, then we are becoming like the One we worship—Jesus Christ, and less like the idol influences of our day.
Sincerely,
Mark Hamby
M.S., M. Div., Th. M., D. Min.
Recommended Reading and Listening:
Trusty Gets Off Track (Ages 4+)
Crown of Success book/audio drama (Ages 6+)
House of Love book/audiobook (Ages 9+)
Charlie’s Choice book/audio drama (Ages 9+)
Palace of Deceit book/audiobook (Ages 12+)
Idols of the Heart (Ages 12+)
Dashed to Pieces book/audio drama (Ages 12+)
