“When someone tells you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?”
In college, I was attending my field camp class called Geology 660. It was a 6 week trip where we went all over the Rocky Mountains mapping everything from road cuts to quadrangles. We would pull into a campground or hotel or college dorm for the night and then the next morning get up early and find out what we’re going to do that day. When we were mapping a quadrangle in Montana along the Sawtooth ridge we were given a topo map so we could know where we’re going in the woods. You had to make sure you oriented the map because if you didn’t, you would be trying to find your way around using a map that was not pointed north. In other words, you were lost thinking north was south and east was west. We all had to master the first step which was get oriented on the map.
Isaiah, in this verse, is warning the people of Israel of consulting the wrong things to get guidance. In today’s world we don’t say mediums or spiritists, (although they are still around) we use the terms like horoscope and zodiac signs to help us guide our day to day thinking. You might even use social media or a quick article from a magazine (Six ways to impress your boss) to help you. You may even go the tarot cards for direction or even worse a practicing witch by dabbling in the dark arts.
Isaiah asks a question, “should not a people inquire of their God?” Have you asked this question? Simple question I know but I mean, have you, in the middle of your issue, stopped and thought to yourself, “I need to see what God thinks about this”? We all remember Yul Brenner putting the lifeless body of his first born son on the statue of his god in the movie Moses. By this time, everyone watching the movie is like why is he still believing this statue has any power at all after he just witnessed the plagues handed to the Egyptians by God. Sad to think we still do the same things. We use what we can get our hands on and hope it provides some direction or comfort while in reality, it is like Pharaoh putting his lifeless son on the altar of an idol made by human hands.
Matthew 10:29-31 says, “Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.” If the Lord is focused on something as small as a sparrow falling to the ground and the number of hairs on your head, then how much more does He want us to consult Him?
The last couple verses of this chapter play out what someone’s life looks like when they consult the wrong source, here are the adjectives. Distressed, hungry, roaming, famished, enraged, they will curse the king and God, when they look at the earth they will only see darkness and fearful gloom. If this describes some of what you are going through, then you might ask yourself if you are consulting the wrong sources. Find out what the God of the universe thinks about every detail of your life by reading the Bible. He knows you better than you know yourself.
Prayer: Father, help us to consult only you on everything in life. Help us to offer up a fervent and righteous prayer concerning everything we are going through. Life without you will leave us distressed, hungry, roaming, famished and enraged. I pray that today all of us will humble ourselves before you oh Lord and acknowledge you in all of our ways. Let you and only you direct our paths forevermore. In Jesus name, amen.
Let It Go 
Leave a comment