Leviticus 20:6-10: a reflection

6“‘The person that turns to those who are mediums and wizards, to play the prostitute after them, I will even set my face against that person, and will cut him off from among his people. 7“‘Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be holy; for I am the LORD your God. 8You shall keep my statutes, and do them. I am the LORD who sanctifies you. 9“‘For everyone who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death. He has cursed his father or his mother. His blood shall be upon himself. 10“‘The man who commits adultery with another man’s wife, even he who commits adultery with his neighbor’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.

Among these laws is a warning against turning to mediums and those who consult the dead, seeking guidance and knowledge from spiritual sources other than God. The person who turns to such, God says, I will set my face against. God takes seriously the temptation to seek spiritual guidance, security, or knowledge from sources other than himself, treating it as a turning away from him. He calls his people to seek him alone, not other spiritual powers.

Notice what God warns against here: seeking spiritual guidance or knowledge from sources other than himself. The temptation to consult mediums, to seek knowledge of the future or hidden things from spiritual sources apart from God, was a real one; and God treats it as a serious turning away from him, a seeking elsewhere for what should be sought from him alone. To turn to other spiritual sources is to turn from God, who alone is to be sought and trusted for guidance and security.

That warning has application beyond ancient mediums, for the temptation to seek spiritual guidance, security, or knowledge from sources other than God takes many forms. We can be tempted to look for guidance about the future, or security, or hidden knowledge, from spiritual sources or practices apart from God, seeking elsewhere what should be sought from him alone. But God calls us to seek him alone, not other spiritual sources; to turn to such is to turn from him. Do not seek spiritual guidance, security, or knowledge from sources other than God, whatever form the temptation takes; seek God alone, who is to be trusted for guidance and security, rather than turning to other spiritual sources. God sets his face against those who turn to such things; seek him alone, trusting him for what you would be tempted to seek elsewhere, rather than turning from him to other spiritual sources for guidance or security.

Lord, among these laws is a warning against turning to mediums and those who consult the dead, seeking guidance and knowledge from spiritual sources other than you; the person who turns to such, you say, I will set my face against, treating it as a serious turning away from you. Show me what you warn against: seeking spiritual guidance, security, or knowledge from sources other than yourself. To turn to other spiritual sources is to turn from you, who alone are to be sought and trusted for guidance and security. That warning has application beyond ancient mediums, for the temptation takes many forms. I can be tempted to look for guidance about the future, or security, or hidden knowledge, from spiritual sources or practices apart from you, seeking elsewhere what should be sought from you alone. But you call me to seek you alone; to turn to such is to turn from you. Keep me from seeking spiritual guidance, security, or knowledge from sources other than you, whatever form the temptation takes; help me seek you alone, who are to be trusted for guidance and security. You set your face against those who turn to such things; help me seek you alone, Lord, trusting you for what I would be tempted to seek elsewhere, rather than turning from you to other spiritual sources.