Leviticus 19.31

“Do not turn to mediums or wizards; do not seek them out, and so make yourselves unclean by them: I am the LORD your God.”

Isaiah 8.19, 20; Acts 16.16-18

Leviticus 20.6

“If a person turns to mediums and wizards, whoring after them, I will set my face against that person and will cut him off from among his people.”

Exodus 22.18

“You shall not permit a sorceress to live.”

Leviticus 20.27

“A man or a woman who is a medium or a wizard shall surely be put to death. They shall be stoned with stones; their blood shall be upon them.”

A medium was a person or object that allowed the living to make contact with the dead, or with the spirit world, as a means of gaining enlightenment or direction. This was a common practice in pagan religions. Mediums could consult animal entrails, tossed sticks or bones, or even the stars on behalf of those willing to pay for their services. They could conjure dead spirits, as we see in the case of the witch of Endor (1 Sam. 28).

A “medium” is simply a “means” or an “avenue” by which the living connect with the dead. I find it interesting to reflect on today’s “media” – television and pop culture, especially – in the light of such a definition. For certainly these can be means through which the living are put into contact with dead worldviews, harmful values and practices, and sinful ways, and be encouraged to believe that such are normal and acceptable.

We must be continually on guard against any such medium drawing us away from love for God.

This series of In the Gates we present a detailed explanation of the Law of God, beginning with the Ten Commandments, and working through the statutes and rules that accompany each commandment. For a practical guide to the role of God’s Law in the practice of ethics, get The Ground for Christian Ethics by going to www.MyParuchia.com and click on our Book Store.