Child Sacrifice

Child sacrifice is a practice that is explicitly condemned in the Bible and is associated with pagan worship and idolatry. The act of sacrificing children, particularly by fire, is mentioned in several passages as an abomination to the Lord. The Israelites were repeatedly warned against adopting the detestable practices of the surrounding nations, which included child sacrifice.

In Leviticus 18:21 , the Lord commands, "You must not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molech, for you must not profane the name of your God. I am the LORD." Molech was a Canaanite deity associated with this horrific practice. The Israelites were instructed to maintain holiness and purity, avoiding the customs of the nations that God was driving out before them.

The severity of this sin is further emphasized in Deuteronomy 12:31 , where it is stated, "You must not worship the LORD your God in their way, because in worshiping their gods, they do all kinds of detestable things the LORD hates. They even burn their sons and daughters in the fire as sacrifices to their gods." This passage highlights the stark contrast between the worship of Yahweh and the idolatrous practices of the nations.

The historical books of the Old Testament record instances where the Israelites fell into the sin of child sacrifice, leading to severe consequences. In 2 Kings 16:3 , King Ahaz is described as walking "in the ways of the kings of Israel and even sacrificing his son in the fire, following the detestable ways of the nations the LORD had driven out before the Israelites." Such actions provoked the Lord's anger and led to judgment upon the people.

The prophets also spoke out against child sacrifice. Jeremiah 7:31 declares, "They have built the high places of Topheth in the Valley of Ben Hinnom to burn their sons and daughters in the fire—something I did not command, nor did it enter My mind." This passage underscores the utter foreignness of such practices to the character and commands of God.

Divination

Divination is the practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown through supernatural means. The Bible consistently condemns divination as contrary to the will of God, associating it with paganism and false worship. The Israelites were instructed to rely on God for guidance and wisdom, rather than turning to occult practices.

In Deuteronomy 18:10-12 , the Lord commands, "Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD, and because of these detestable practices the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you." This passage clearly lists divination among practices that are abominable to God.

The narrative of King Saul consulting the medium of Endor in 1 Samuel 28 illustrates the dangers and futility of divination. Despite having previously expelled mediums and spiritists from the land, Saul, in desperation, seeks out a medium to summon the spirit of Samuel. This act of disobedience leads to his downfall, as he is rebuked by the spirit of Samuel and ultimately faces defeat and death.

The prophets also denounced divination. Ezekiel 13:6-7 speaks against false prophets who "see false visions and speak lying divinations. They claim, ‘This is the declaration of the LORD,’ when the LORD did not send them; yet they wait for the fulfillment of their word." This highlights the deceit and falsehood inherent in divination, contrasting it with the true word of God.

In the New Testament, the practice of divination is similarly rejected. Acts 16:16-18 recounts the account of a slave girl possessed by a spirit of divination, who is delivered by the Apostle Paul. This act of deliverance demonstrates the power of God over demonic forces and the rejection of divination as a legitimate source of knowledge or power.

Throughout Scripture, the consistent message is that God’s people are to seek Him alone for guidance and wisdom, rejecting the practices of child sacrifice and divination that are rooted in idolatry and rebellion against God’s revealed will.