Here’s an interesting fact about the story of Saul and the Witch of En Dor.
After the Roman Catholic Church church came into existence this whole story was denounced as a fake.
Luther, Calvin, Eustathius, and other early gentile church fathers all concluded this was a made-up story concocted by the devil himself.
Why?
Because they couldn’t imagine God would speak His Word via such an ungodly situation that had a necromancer at the center of it.
Only Origen believed this story was true.
Well homies, I side with Origen.
Why?
There are two reasons.
First, there ain’t no reason good reason to discount this story.
It’s part of Scripture.
We shouldn’t willy-nilly discount a part of Scripture just because it doesn’t jive with our sensibilities.
Second, there’s actually a piece of Scripture that speaks directly to this type of incident.
It’s Ezekiel 14:1-8.
Let’s take a look at it right now.
Pay special attention to the parts I have bolded.
14:1 Then certain of Isra’el’s leaders came to me; and while they were sitting with me,
2 the word of ADONAI came to me:
3 “Human being, these men have taken their idols into their hearts, thus setting in front of themselves the stumbling block that leads to sin. Should I let them consult me at all?
4 Therefore speak to them, and tell them that Adonai ELOHIM says, ‘Everyone in the house of Isra’el who takes his idols into his heart, thus setting in front of himself the stumbling block that leads to sin, and then comes to the prophet, I myself, ADONAI, will answer him in a manner suited to his many idols,
5 in order to grab hold of the house of Isra’el in their hearts; since, through their idols, they have all fallen away from me.’
6 “Therefore say to the house of Isra’el that Adonai ELOHIM says, ‘Repent! Turn yourselves away from your idols, turn your faces away from all your disgusting practices!
7 For everyone, whether from the house of Isra’el or a foreigner living in Isra’el, who separates himself from me and takes his idols into his heart, thus setting in front of himself the stumbling block that leads to sin, and then comes to the prophet, asking him to consult me for him, I myself, ADONAI, will answer him.
8 I will set my face against that person, make him a warning sign and an example, and cut him off from my people. Then you will know that I am ADONAI.
So there you go folks.
These verses describe the exact situation we witnessed at En Dor.
This passage is all about idolatrous Israelites seeking God through forbidden means.
What does God say He will do when one of His chosen people does such a thing?
He says He will speak to them while they are consulting these idols, and tell them to repent of their idolatry or they will be cut off from Israel.
Now isn’t that exactly what took place with Saul and the necromancer at En Dor?
God Himself took control of that situation and answered Saul.
Remember God never paid heed to Saul’s request.
He was like a stern teacher who had just entered a classroom where all the students were engaged in idolatrous hanky-panky.
God took control of the situation.
Remember, the Lord doesn’t offer blessings via manmade ways of worship or via anything that goes against the Torah (which is why I think Christianity is doomed).
Instead, He warns His people that their actions will bring a curse.
He is telling them to stop now and repent!
If they don’t, they will become just a warning sign and a bad example for future generations.
Are you feeling me here?
CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT
“Dear children,
keep yourselves from idols.”
-1 John 5:21
“The acts of the flesh are obvious:
sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;
idolatry and witchcraft;
hatred, discord, jealousy,
fits of rage, selfish ambition,
dissensions, factions and envy;
drunkenness, orgies, and the like.
I warn you, as I did before,
that those who live like this
will not inherit the kingdom of God.“
-Galatians 5:19-21
“Therefore, my dear friends,
flee from idolatry.“
-1 Corinthians 10:14
NEXT TIME WE BEGIN FIRST SAMUEL CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
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