Divination @ of false prophets Deuteronomy:18:10Deuteronomy:18:14Micah:3:6-7, 11), of necromancers ( 1Samuel:28:8), of the Philistine priests and diviners ( 1Samuel:6:2), of Balaam Joshua:13:22). Three kinds of divination are mentioned in Ezekiel:21:21, by arrows, consulting with images (the teraphim), and by examining the entrails of animals sacrificed. The practice of this art seems to have been encouraged in ancient Egypt. Diviners also abounded among the aborigines of Canaan and the Philistines Isaiah:2:6; 1Samuel:28). At a later period multitudes of magicians poured from Chaldea and Arabia into the land of Israel, and pursued their occupations Isaiah:8:19; 2Kings:21:6; 2Chronicals:33:6). This superstition widely spread, and in the time of the apostles there were "vagabond Jews, exorcists" Acts:19:13), and men like Simon Magus Acts:8:9), Bar-jesus (13:6-8), and other jugglers and impostors (19:19; 2Timothy:3:13). Every species and degree of this superstition was strictly forbidden by the law of Moses Exodus:22:18; Leviticus:19:26Leviticus:19:31Leviticus:20:27; Deuteronomy:18:10-11). But beyond these various forms of superstition, there are instances of divination on record in the Scriptures by which God was pleased to make known his will. (1.) There was divination by lot, by which, when resorted to in matters of moment, and with solemnity, God intimated his will Joshua:7:13). The land of Canaan was divided by lot Numbers:26:55-56); Achan's guilt was detected Joshua:7:16-19), Saul was elected king ( 1Samuel:10:20-21), and Matthias chosen to the apostleship, by the solem lot Acts:1:26). It was thus also that the scape-goat was determined Leviticus:16:8-10). (2.) There was divination by dreams Genesis:20:6; Deuteronomy:13:1-3; Judges:7:13-15; Matthew:1:20Matthew:2:12-13, 19, 22). This is illustrated in the history of Joseph Genesis:41:25-32) and of Daniel (2:27; 4:19-28). (3.) By divine appointment there was also divination by the Urim and Thummim Numbers:27:21), and by the ephod. (4.) God was pleased sometimes to vouch-safe direct vocal communications to men Deuteronomy:34:10; Exodus:3:4Exodus:4:3; Deuteronomy:4:14-15; kjvKings:19:12). He also communed with men from above the mercy-seat Exodus:25:22), and at the door of the tabernacle Exodus:29:42-43). (5.) Through his prophets God revealed himself, and gave intimations of his will ( 2Kings:13:17; Jeremiah:51:63-64).
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