VIII. Isaiah’s Futile Appeal to Disobedient Israel

In the course of time, darkness had deepened about the nation. The Assyrians had come, and in alarm and panic the people again betook themselves to seeking guidance from occult sources. Thus it had been with Saul, as we have seen, when he forsook God and consulted the witch of Endor in his difficulties. But the lesson was not learned.CFF2 1169.3

The prophet Isaiah denounced the sources upon which Israel was relying for counsel and guidance-upon those that had “familiar spirits” (Isaiah 8:19). By their iniquities the children of Israel had again turned away from God even as Saul had done. And like Saul they had turned to demonic spirits for guidance and help. In other words, Spiritualism was prevalent then, as now, and the people had turned to the spirits for guidance-“unto wizards that peep, and that mutter” (Isaiah 8:19). “Peep” means “chirp,” “cheep.” But they were not the spirits of the dead. The personating spirits were demons, or fallen angels. ^{2525) 2 Peter 2:4; Revelation 12:9; Jude 6Revelation 16:14.} They were seducing, deceptive spirits. ^{2626) 1 Timothy 4:1-3; 2 Timothy 1:13; 2 Thessalonians 2:10.}CFF2 1169.4

1. TURNED FROM AUTHOR OF LIFE TO AUTHOR OF DEATH

Isaiah urged the people to seek unto their God. That was the alternative to resorting to Spiritualism-to search the revelation of God through His prophets. But they deliberately sought the subtleties of necromancy, consulting the “dead” instead of the living God. Such was Israel’s tragedy in Isaiah’s day-of turning from the God and Author of life to seek help from Satan, the author of death and misery.CFF2 1170.1

Isaiah asks, On behalf of the living should they consult the dead? God had expressly declared that the dead “know not any thing” (Ecclesiastes 9:5). It is therefore obvious that any response from the “dead” must be a simulating deception and a perilous fraud. A clear understanding of the unconscious state of the dead is imperative for protection against the subtle attempts of Satan’s legions to convince through spiritualist mediums and supposed communications with the “departed.”CFF2 1170.2

2. FROM SUBTLETY OF DEMONS TO WISDOM OF GOD

Seek the law (torah), said Isaiah-the revealed word and will of God, the inspired writings, particularly those of Moses. And Moses was instructed to condemn necromancy, sorcery, witchcraft, trafficking with “familiar spirits.” ^{2727) Leviticus 19:31; 20:6, 27; Deuteronomy 18:10, 11.} The prophet Isaiah makes the sorrowful declaration: “Thou hast forsaken thy people the house of Jacob, because they be replenished froze the east, and are soothsayers like the Philistines” (Isaiah 2:6). Turn, the prophet appealed, from the subtlety of demons and the folly of man to the wisdom of God through His appointed spokesmen, the prophets. That is the source of revealed truth and the guide to life for God’s people. Too late, many in Israel saw their errors. But their lesson is for us.CFF2 1170.3

3. WARNED AGAINST REPLENISHING “FROM THE EAST

“Coupled with this question of “familiar spirits” is the expression “replenished from the east”—its astrologers, soothsayers, and sorcerers (Daniel 2:2, 27; Daniel 4:7; Daniel 5:7, 11). It was because Israel turned from the Lord God to dabble in the occult religions of the East that they forfeited His favor. The pagan inhabitants had been driven out of Palestine because of their “abominations”—because they “hearkened unto observers of times,” and diviners (Deuteronomy 18:14; 1 Samuel 6:2).CFF2 1171.1

Nevertheless, the professed people of God proceeded to follow their fateful example. Instead of going to God for their light, they were consulting with those who were in league with the prince of darkness. But these warnings to Israel of old are “written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come” (1 Corinthians 10:11). The lesson is crystal clear. The issues are identical. Satan is ever seeking to manipulate the affairs of men through his multiple evil channels.CFF2 1171.2