Ask Your Preacher - Archives

Ask Your Preacher - Archives

“Consulting The Crystal”

Categories: GRAB BAG, OCCULT, OLD TESTAMENT, RELIGIONS

(This is a follow-up to “Laban’s Luck”)

I have another question similar to the last question about divination.  According to Genesis 44:5, Joseph uses a cup for divination.  Again the Bible doesn't give much information about this.  So far I can think of two possible methods: hydromancy (which is divination using water or maybe other liquids) and/or scrying (which is an occult practice by means of seeing physically on anything clear such as glass, gemstone, crystal, and water or anything that reflects such as mirrors and, again, water).  The most popular object is a crystal ball.  If scrying is it, then either Joseph filled the cup with water and scryed, or if the cup can reflect, then he can scry on the cup.  But I don't know.  Do you know exactly what method he used?  If not, then do you know where I can get more information about this?

Sincerely,
Crying For Scrying

Dear Crying For Scrying,

The Bible gives absolutely no details on how Joseph used that cup for divining… it doesn’t even say that he does – it just mentions that Joseph’s steward was supposed to say that to Joseph’s brothers (Gen 44:1) as part of his ruse to get them to come back (Gen 44:14).  The proof that Joseph actually did use the practice of divining is tentative at best.  Regardless, divining is wrong today.  Though God spoke to the prophets in various forms in the past, today God speaks to us through His Son’s Word (Heb 1:1-2).  When we become christians, we throw away all occult practices (Acts 19:19).  There is nothing to divine that the Lord hasn’t already taught us in His Word (2 Pet. 1:3).