Talking to Witches

Where do you turn to when you need advice. Did you know that a lot of people like to look to their horoscope, or “horror-scope” I like to call it? Did you know that there are a lot of people that would be more likely to go into a psychic’s lair than to go to God in prayer?

I remember once when I was very little and we had gone to a church fall festival that there was a lady at the church fall festival, nonetheless, who was telling fortunes. We didn’t know what that was as kids and so we went to every booth the church had set up. I went there and she took my hand in hers and looked at my palm and told me that I was going to be a sailor one day.

Unless you count this the Good Ole Gospel Ship, she was wrong. I do like boats though!

She no more knew what I was going to be than someone throwing darts at a board and the truth is, she was probably a church lady that didn’t even know what she was doing was very wrong.

People look for answers in their lives in a lot of different places and a lot of wrong places. Saul was no exception as he resorted to talking with witches. I want us to look at 1 Samuel 28 tonight to see what happened and why he did this and how it affects us.

1 Samuel 28:3–10 ESV

3 Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had put the mediums and the necromancers out of the land. 4 The Philistines assembled and came and encamped at Shunem. And Saul gathered all Israel, and they encamped at Gilboa. 5 When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly. 6 And when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets. 7 Then Saul said to his servants, “Seek out for me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her.” And his servants said to him, “Behold, there is a medium at En-dor.” 8 So Saul disguised himself and put on other garments and went, he and two men with him. And they came to the woman by night. And he said, “Divine for me by a spirit and bring up for me whomever I shall name to you.” 9 The woman said to him, “Surely you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off the mediums and the necromancers from the land. Why then are you laying a trap for my life to bring about my death?” 10 But Saul swore to her by the Lord, “As the Lord lives, no punishment shall come upon you for this thing.”

Pray.

Saul’s Offenses:

So Saul had blown it with God.

He had disobeyed God twice and God had rejected him.

He had gone mad and was pursuing David to kill him.

He even tried to kill his own son once for defending David.

1. Don’t let sin hinder your relationship with God (v.6)

1 Samuel 28:6 ESV

6 And when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets.

2. Don’t seek answers from the world (v.7)

1 Samuel 28:7 ESV

7 Then Saul said to his servants, “Seek out for me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her.” And his servants said to him, “Behold, there is a medium at En-dor.”

3. Repent of your sin when you become aware of it (vv. 15-20)

1 Samuel 28:15–20 ESV

15 Then Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” Saul answered, “I am in great distress, for the Philistines are warring against me, and God has turned away from me and answers me no more, either by prophets or by dreams. Therefore I have summoned you to tell me what I shall do.” 16 And Samuel said, “Why then do you ask me, since the Lord has turned from you and become your enemy? 17 The Lord has done to you as he spoke by me, for the Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David. 18 Because you did not obey the voice of the Lord and did not carry out his fierce wrath against Amalek, therefore the Lord has done this thing to you this day. 19 Moreover, the Lord will give Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me. The Lord will give the army of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines.” 20 Then Saul fell at once full length on the ground, filled with fear because of the words of Samuel. And there was no strength in him, for he had eaten nothing all day and all night.

Difference between being afraid and repenting.

Difference between being sorry you got caught and godly remorse.

Compare what David said in Psalm 51.

Psalm 51:1–4 ESV

1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.

It’s ironic in this story what Saul does next.

1 Samuel 28:20–25 ESV

20 Then Saul fell at once full length on the ground, filled with fear because of the words of Samuel. And there was no strength in him, for he had eaten nothing all day and all night. 21 And the woman came to Saul, and when she saw that he was terrified, she said to him, “Behold, your servant has obeyed you. I have taken my life in my hand and have listened to what you have said to me. 22 Now therefore, you also obey your servant. Let me set a morsel of bread before you; and eat, that you may have strength when you go on your way.” 23 He refused and said, “I will not eat.” But his servants, together with the woman, urged him, and he listened to their words. So he arose from the earth and sat on the bed. 24 Now the woman had a fattened calf in the house, and she quickly killed it, and she took flour and kneaded it and baked unleavened bread of it, 25 and she put it before Saul and his servants, and they ate. Then they rose and went away that night.

I have never caught this before, but Saul is encouraged to eat by his servants and the woman and notice what they eat.

The woman had a fatted calf and unleavened bread. Both of these were used in the worship of God in the temple.

Don’t miss the message here.

Saul had everything at his disposal to repent of his sins and seek God, both before he sinned by inquiring of the medium and after he sinned. He could have repented of his sins and I truly believe God would have forgiven him if his heart was pure. He had the means for a sacrifice right there and could have sought the favor of God. Instead he satisfies his carnal cravings.

To be fair the servants and the woman encouraged him to eat. However, Saul had the choice to deny himself and seek God’s forgiveness. He didn’t.

Conclusion

As we close out our time tonight, we have the same choices. We can choose to seek the favor of God and repent of our sins or keep trying to satisfy our own sinful cravings.

We can look to the world for answers to our problems, or go to the God who knows all things and can direct our steps. We can go to the Word of God that as a light for our feet and a lamp for our path.

If your relationship with God is strained today, seek His forgiveness. Jesus made it possible for you to be accepted and forgiven. All you have to do is ask!

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