Priests

In the biblical context, priests hold a significant role as mediators between God and His people. The priesthood is primarily associated with the tribe of Levi, particularly the descendants of Aaron, who served as the first high priest. The role of the priest was established in the Mosaic Law, where priests were responsible for performing sacrifices, maintaining the Tabernacle (and later the Temple), and teaching the Israelites the statutes of the Lord.

The Book of Exodus details the consecration of Aaron and his sons as priests: "Then bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the Tent of Meeting and wash them with water. Take the garments and clothe Aaron with the tunic, the robe of the ephod, the ephod itself, and the breastpiece. Fasten the ephod on him with its woven waistband" (Exodus 29:4-5). This consecration set apart the Aaronic priesthood for service to God.

Priests were tasked with offering sacrifices for the atonement of sins, as outlined in Leviticus. They also played a crucial role in the Day of Atonement, where the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies to make atonement for the people (Leviticus 16). The priesthood was a hereditary office, passed down through the generations of Aaron's descendants.

In addition to their sacrificial duties, priests were also teachers of the Law. Malachi 2:7 states, "For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, because he is the messenger of the LORD of Hosts" . This highlights the priestly role in guiding the spiritual and moral life of the community.

The New Testament reinterprets the concept of priesthood through the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is described as the ultimate High Priest. The Epistle to the Hebrews elaborates on this, stating, "But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God" (Hebrews 10:12). This signifies the fulfillment and completion of the Old Testament sacrificial system.

Diviners

Diviners in the Bible are individuals who claim to possess the ability to predict the future or uncover hidden knowledge through supernatural means. The practice of divination is explicitly condemned in the Scriptures, as it is often associated with pagan religions and idolatry. Deuteronomy 18:10-12 warns, "Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, practices divination or conjury, interprets omens, practices sorcery, casts spells, consults a medium or spiritist, or inquires of the dead. For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD" .

Despite the prohibition, instances of divination appear throughout the biblical narrative. In the Book of 1 Samuel, King Saul, in desperation, seeks the counsel of a medium at Endor to summon the spirit of the prophet Samuel (1 Samuel 28:7-20). This act is portrayed negatively, highlighting Saul's departure from God's guidance.

The Bible contrasts divination with true prophecy, which is a gift from God. Prophets, unlike diviners, receive direct revelation from the Lord and speak His words to the people. The distinction is clear in Jeremiah 14:14: "The prophets are prophesying lies in My name," declares the LORD. "I did not send them or appoint them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a false vision, worthless divination, and the deceit of their own minds" .

In the New Testament, the practice of divination is further denounced. In Acts 16:16-18, Paul encounters a slave girl with a spirit of divination. Paul commands the spirit to leave her in the name of Jesus Christ, demonstrating the power of God over such practices.

The biblical stance on divination underscores the importance of seeking guidance and wisdom from God alone, rejecting any form of occult practices that attempt to circumvent His sovereign will.