Enchantment, sorcery, witchcraft among many vile practices of demonology and necromancy have been age-long practices across the world. In every generation, different manifestations of these practices are seen. In Biblical history, we see different instances where God warned people to stay away from such practices. However, the desire for these things seemed so enshrined that even after a national cleansing, there still remained practitioners who were able to escape. For example, in his zeal for God, King Saul got rid of all such practices in Israel. However, in one of his lowest moments, Saul requested for a medium to seek help. 1 Samuel 28:5-7 states this, "When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid; terror filled his heart. He inquired of the Lord, but the Lord did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets. Saul then said to his attendants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, so I may go and inquire of her.” “There is one in Endor,” they said." In the days of the prophet Ezekiel, such practices existed as well. Just as Saul looked for help from a woman practitioner, in the days of Ezekiel, women were at the forefront of these things.
and say, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to the women who sew magic charms on all their wrists and make veils of various lengths for their heads in order to ensnare people. Will you ensnare the lives of my people but preserve your own? (Ezekiel 13:18)
Women throughout history seem to be susceptible to familiar spirits and witchcraft. The women in the days of Ezekiel practiced magic and sorcery. The word of the Lord came to the prophet Ezekiel saying: “Now, son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people who prophesy out of their own imagination. Prophesy against them and say, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to the women who sew magic charms on all their wrists and make veils of various lengths for their heads in order to ensnare people. Will you ensnare the lives of my people but preserve your own? You have profaned me among my people for a few handfuls of barley and scraps of bread. By lying to my people, who listen to lies, you have killed those who should not have died and have spared those who should not live." (Ezekiel 13:17-19). The women were enchantresses prophesying their own imagination. They did not hear from God. These women clothed themselves with magical charms and their target is to make people susceptible to their vile prophecies. These enchantresses were liars who deceived people for money (handfuls of barley and scraps of bread). Their lies led innocent people to die and wicked people to live.
These women did not just trap the people. They put fear in their patrons, causing them to run for help all the time. This was God's verdict to these enchantresses (Ezekiel 13:20-23): "I am against your magic charms with which you ensnare people like birds and I will tear them from your arms; I will set free the people that you ensnare like birds. I will tear off your veils and save my people from your hands, and they will no longer fall prey to your power. Then you will know that I am the Lord. Because you disheartened the righteous with your lies, when I had brought them no grief, and because you encouraged the wicked not to turn from their evil ways and so save their lives, therefore you will no longer see false visions or practice divination. I will save my people from your hands. And then you will know that I am the Lord. ” God decreed that those in the bondages of the enchantresses would be set free and the power of enchantment will be destroyed. Thus, these women have no real power.
Sometimes, when we are hard-pressed with life, there is the tendency to visit mediums and spiritualists for help. Even born-again Christians sometimes seek help from mediums, sorcerers, necromancers, fetishes, enchanters among many others. We need to understand that the power of God is above all powers. Practitioners of these things are condemned to hell and we don't want to follow them to their destination (Revelation 22: 15).
The Bible doesn't look down on women as the likely practitioners of these things. Women throughout generations have been mostly attracted to these practices. If you are already into these things, I pray for you to repent. I pray that the Holy Spirit convicts you of your error. If you are now looking forward to consulting these things, remember that real power comes from God. Trust in God for your breakthrough. Pray, study the word is God and seek help from your church leadership. Don't run away from God. Run to God. Real solutions are found in the presence of God.
Great piece!