Deuteronomy 18:9-12 "When you come into the land that the Lord your God is giving you..."

"When you come into the land that the Lord your God is giving you, you must not learn to imitate the abhorrent practices of those nations. No one shall be found among you who makes a son or daughter pass through fire, or who practices divination, or is a soothsayer, or an augur, or a sorcerer, or one who casts spells, or who consults ghosts or spirits, or who seeks oracles from the dead. For whoever does these things is abhorrent to the Lord; it is because of such abhorrent practices that the Lord your God is driving them out before you" (Deuteronomy 18:9-12).

Question:

If someone has special abilities, especially to connect to those who have crossed over or having a knowing about things, this passage would be very negative towards a person. If the person is connected and focused on Christ, how would a person respond to those who consider it to be evil?

Comment:

Those biblical books—especially Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy—that outline in great specifics the rules according to which the Hebrew tribes were to govern themselves during their sojourn in the wilderness and beyond are very challenging today for those who insist that every word is to be taken literally. Rules and regulations that made practical sense for a primitive, nomadic tribe trying to survive in a harsh world have less practical or moral imperative for us today. Jesus was adamant that we had to recognize that old laws might not be applicable once we've advanced in spiritual awareness. To the Pharisees who constantly challenged him for disobeying the letter of the law, he patiently replied according to his teaching construct, "You have heard it said ... but I say to you." What's important is the underlying spiritual principle; that never changes. But laws which seemed an appropriate expression of that principle at one time—slavery, or the subjugation of women, for example—seem very different as we grow in spiritual awareness.   On the metaphysical level, however, these passages contain important spiritual truth. Here I think the important lesson is that no one who believes himself or herself to possess 'special gifts' can be completely trusted. Each of us is equal in our relationship to God. That relationship will express differently in each of us, but the underlying Source is the same Presence and Power of God. When Joseph believed himself to be a uniquely gifted interpreter of dreams, his arrogance brought about some very painful life experiences. When he came to realize that the power was God, and he was only a channel, things went much better. Jesus himself goes to great pains to distance himself from any egocentric credit for the healings he performs. "It is not I, but the father within that does the work."   I have encountered well-meaning people who have insisted that they had a message from God to be delivered to me. I may appreciate the intention, but I decline the advice. No one is every given directions for anyone else's life. We are equal in our connection to God. Others may be very helpful in their ability to help us see and express that connection. But the flow of God is never about feeling unique in our expression of God, but about affirming and supporting that expression in others. God is our Source—our only Source. This passage metaphysically describes the negative results that occur when we turn to other sources instead.   Blessings!

Rev. Ed