The Psychic Hotline

Introduction:

A. We cannot watch TV for very long before we see a commercial for the psychic networks. The promises are simple. You want to know about your future, your relationships, your financial fortune, children, or job just call a number and specially endowed psychics will tell you what is going to happen. If you watch those commercials carefully reading the fine print at the bottom of the screen, each one will say something like “for entertainment purposes only.”

B. The occult has been around for a long time. Psychic readings although presented as fun and delightful is just another form of witchcraft. In our culture we take a laid back approach publicly about such things. But in some cultures, witchcraft is not a fun experience. It is serious business in which the demons, the dead, and the future are brought into direct contact with the present. The one who is trying to contact the dead or see into the future may use a variety of methods to complete the task. The death of an animal may be necessary, incantations, or Satanic ritual. The psychic network may provide entertainment for some but the basis of it all comes from Satan.

C. In 1 Samuel 28, Saul makes contact with a witch — a diviner of the dead — in order to discern the future. This episode is here for a reason. It is to show us just how far from God Saul is. Since 1 Samuel 16, the focus has been on David and his escapes from Saul. But the author inserts this chapter to basically show us something — nothing is worse than leaving the presence of God. We have gathered this morning to be in God’s presence. I hope you came today with your mind prepared to enter God’s throne room to praise and learn. Today we will realign ourselves with God. Today we will renew our faith. Let’s turn our minds to a time of prayer as we enter into God’s throne room. Then we will sing a set of praise songs as we ask God to be near to us.

What About the Future?

A. The Philistines and the Israelites are preparing for battle. In verse 3 we are told that Saul had done the right thing by expelling the mediums and spiritists from the land. Saul sees the large Philistine army and he is scared out of his wits. He inquired of the Lord but the Lord did not answer him by dreams, Urim, or prophets. There is no communication between Saul and God. Saul is seeking God’s guidance and God is not talking. So Saul seeks out a witch. He wants to find someone who is skilled at conjuring up the spirit world. He wants to talk with Samuel. Since God will not talk with him, perhaps Samuel will. Saul disguises himself to go to this witch. The witch is not willing that anyone would know what she does. Notice verse 10. It is highly ironic.

B. Saul swears by God’s life that he will not harm the woman. Saul swears by God’s life to do something God has forbidden. Do you see the irony? God doesn’t endorse evil. Yet, Saul uses God’s name to confirm safety for this woman. It is similar to using God’s name to curse something. We flippantly throw God’s name around without understanding that God wouldn’t do half the things that we say he will do. God will damn things in his own time, but he probably doesn’t damn as many things as someone says. The words “oh, my God” should be used for praise and not to express surprise. He isn’t surprised. I’m not trying to talk in riddles, but I don’t want to be offensive just to make a point. Saul made a promise using God’s name when God himself would not make that promise. We would do well to only use God’s name reverently rather than flippantly. How dare we presume that we can speak for God? Saul makes a promise using God’s name. God wouldn’t want to be included in this practice.

C. The witch is persuaded to engage the world of the dead. Samuel is called for. Samuel arrives. We have no idea what he looked like. This passage says he looked old and had on a robe. This passage also tells us that only the woman sees Samuel. Saul carries on a conversation with Samuel although he never sees him. Samuel wants to know why he has been disturbed. Saul’s questions for Samuel express how separated he is from God. “I am in great distress. The Philistines are fighting against me. God has turned away from me.” This discussion quickly centers on Saul. Samuel’s response is to reprioritize Saul’s thinking. Saul you are estranged from God. Israel will fall. You and your sons are going to die in battle tomorrow.

D. Saul was only concerned about himself. Samuel reminds Saul that he has forgotten about Israel. The king has forgotten about his people. Samuel reminds Saul of a previous prophecy and that this battle will not result in victory. Saul is overwhelmed. He has been fasting and all his strength was gone. The witch comes to Saul and offers him nourishment. But verse 21 begins in a peculiar way. Saul has already promised not to harm the woman, but the woman approaches Saul from the standpoint of being concerned about her life. Why? Bad news sometimes results in killing the messenger. But I do not think that the author intends for us to feel good about this witch at the end of the story. She provides food to strengthen Saul, but there are two clues we need to look at very carefully.

E. First, the author specifically mentions unleavened bread. Why not just bread? In a similar situation in Genesis 18:6 when bread had to be made quickly, it is just called bread. It would have had to be unleavened because one can’t make leavened bread quickly. Why then does the author mention unleavened bread? Unleavened bread was used for covenant or fellowship meals. Second, the word “butchered” in verse 24 comes from the root word which means “slaughter” and is usually used to describe a sacrifice. This word “butchered” is used several times in Leviticus and is translated “offer.” In Lev. 17:7 it is used to describe a sacrifice to idols.

F. What we may have here is a covenant meal with the dead. The witch certainly would not prepare a meal for worship of God. She reminds Saul of his promise and offers to perform an additional strengthening exercise in which with unleavened bread and a sacrificed calf, perhaps Saul’s demise can be allayed. Saul is looking for any solution to manipulate the future. So what is the point of this chapter?

Application

A. First, there is nothing more hopeless than to be abandoned by God. Saul searches for God’s answers. But God has left him. In 1 Samuel 22, God wasn’t consulted when Saul killed all the priests and yet he uses the Urim, a priestly stone, to try to discern God’s will. God has left him. Saul is right when he speaks in verse 15, God has turned away from me. Sadder words could not be spoken. Samuel refers to the episode in 1 Samuel 15 in which Saul had not obeyed God’s word. In 15:22—23, Samuel says that God wants us to hear his voice and obey. Saul didn’t listen then. Saul hasn’t been listening. God is now no longer listening to Saul.

1.  If we despise God's word, he will take it from us. If you persistently refuse to obey God's word, then you will have to endure God's silence. When we hear the word of God, we need to respond. To wait or to ignore will only result in missed opportunities and the development of heart that refuses to hear and obey.

2.  Saul waited too long. His heart had turned away from God. Here he was in a witch's house seeking God's voice. Instead of seeking reconciliation and repentance, Saul turns to the occult. Saul is completely faithless. Seeking answers through evil is not the answer. Listening to God when you have the opportunity is the point.

B. Second, we need to notice the author’s intent in 1 Samuel. Since chapter 16, the focus has been on David and his escapes from Saul in order to become king. We see the numerous times that God has delivered and protected David. Saul has only been mentioned in passing and is clearly in the wrong every time he is mentioned from chapter 16 onward. When we come to the end of chapter 27, David is in the heart of enemy territory. He is being hired to become the chief bodyguard of a Philistine king. Then all of sudden here comes this story about Saul. In chapter 29 David’s story picks up again. Why insert this story here?

1.  I don't want to be flippant, but have you ever been watching a tv program when the words "we interrupt our regular programming for a special news bulletin." That is what is going on here. It seems as if the author is trying to get us to compare David and Saul.

2.  David is in the heart of enemy territory. So is Saul. David is talking with the enemy. So is Saul. David is in bad shape. He is going through some tough times. He is forced away from the land God had promised to give him. But look at Saul. He has chosen to separate from God. He is face down in a witch's house trying to find meaning.

3.  God is still with David. God has left Saul. Who is in worse shape? I think the author wants us to compare the two main characters and see who is going to be taken care of. The author wants us to compare the two and understand that there is something worse than being among the Philistines, namely, being cut off from all communion with God.

4.  The author illustrates through story selection and breaking up the main plot that there is nothing worse than getting to your darkest hour and finding out that you have long ago placed yourself outside of God's voice and that you are totally alone. David and Saul have troubles, but Saul is without God.

C. The point is not that “someone always has it worse than you do.” The point is that with all our trials and sufferings, do you realize how great it is that we can take those things to our Father? Can you imagine trying to deal with life’s darkest hours without God? Can you imagine having those problems and having to say “God has turned away from me” and know that it is true?” I am not saying “get over the pain.” I am saying keep the right perspective. We are not alone. God has not turned away from us. If you hear his voice then respond to it today. Do not wait. Do not hesitate. Do not act like you will get another chance. Hear the word of God today and obey. Invitation. Hebrews 3:7—15.

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