Ella 
Read the Daily Bible Verse – Leviticus 20:27 To Strengthen Your Spiritual Journey.
Leviticus 20:27 is a part of the Mosaic law that emphasizes the need for holiness and the rejection of sinful behaviors. In this article, we will explore the meaning of Leviticus 20:27 and its context within the Bible. We will also look at how this passage applies to our lives today, as well as the overarching lessons that can be drawn from it.
The Context of Leviticus 20:27 KJV
The Book of Leviticus
Leviticus is the third book of the Old Testament and focuses on the laws that God gave to the Israelites. The central theme of Leviticus is holiness—being set apart for God. The book contains instructions about worship, sacrifices, clean and unclean practices, and moral behavior. These instructions were given to help the Israelites live in a way that reflected God’s holiness and to set them apart from the pagan nations around them.
Leviticus 20 contains a collection of laws regarding morality, sexuality, and worship. It addresses the behaviors that were forbidden among the Israelites and the punishments for engaging in those behaviors. It is a call to the people of Israel to be obedient to God’s commands and to live in a manner that honors Him.
The Larger Context of Leviticus 20
Leviticus 20 as a whole deals with a variety of offenses that are punishable by death or other severe consequences. The chapter includes laws about idolatry, sexual immorality, child sacrifice, and necromancy, among other things. The purpose of these laws was to protect the people of Israel from spiritual defilement and to preserve their relationship with God.
The first part of Leviticus 20 addresses punishments for practices such as sacrificing children to idols (verse 2), sexual sins (verses 10–21), and consulting mediums or spiritists (verse 6). The laws are very specific and are meant to guide the Israelites in maintaining a relationship with a holy God. It is within this context that Leviticus 20:27 is found.
The Context of Leviticus 20:27
Leviticus 20:27 addresses the issue of consulting mediums and spiritists. In the ancient world, people often turned to mediums, necromancers, and spiritists to communicate with the dead or seek guidance from spiritual beings. The practice was not only forbidden but also considered a grave sin. God commanded the Israelites to avoid these practices in order to remain pure and devoted to Him.
This verse specifically forbids individuals from seeking out “a man or a woman who is a medium or a spiritist” (NIV). These people were believed to have the ability to communicate with the dead, and their practices were deeply rooted in the occult. For the Israelites, engaging in such practices was seen as an act of rebellion against God and His laws.
Leviticus 20:27 (KJV)
Leviticus 20:27 (KJV):
“A man also or a woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them.”
Key Words and Phrases
“A man also or a woman” – This phrase indicates that both men and women who engage in these practices are equally guilty. There is no distinction in this law based on gender.
“That hath a familiar spirit” – A “familiar spirit” refers to a spirit that is believed to communicate with humans through a medium or spiritist. The person possessing a familiar spirit was thought to be able to communicate with the dead or gain supernatural knowledge.
“Or that is a wizard” – A wizard in this context refers to someone who practices magic or sorcery. This includes those who engage in occult practices such as divination, witchcraft, or sorcery.
“Shall surely be put to death” – The punishment for engaging in these practices was severe. God commanded that those who practiced witchcraft or consulted with spirits be put to death, a sign of how serious the sin was in God’s eyes.
“They shall stone them with stones” – Stoning was a form of execution prescribed by the law of Moses for certain crimes. It was a communal punishment where the congregation would participate in carrying out the judgment.
“Their blood shall be upon them” – This phrase indicates that the guilt for their actions rests solely on the individual who engages in these sinful practices. They are responsible for their own actions, and their punishment is a direct result of their sin.
Leviticus 20:27 Meaning
The Sin of Divination and Witchcraft
Leviticus 20:27 speaks against the practices of divination, witchcraft, and necromancy. These were serious offenses in the eyes of God, and engaging in them was seen as rebellion against God’s sovereignty. The Israelites were not to seek guidance or knowledge from spirits, mediums, or witches. Instead, they were to trust in God alone for wisdom and direction.
The Bible consistently condemns these practices. In Deuteronomy 18:10-12, for example, God warns the Israelites not to practice divination or sorcery, saying, “Let no one be found among you who… is a medium or spiritist… anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD.” In the New Testament, we see similar condemnations of occult practices (Acts 16:16-18 and Galatians 5:19-21).
The reason these practices are so strongly condemned is that they involve seeking power and knowledge outside of God. God desires that His people rely on Him for their guidance, protection, and wisdom, and turning to occult practices is a form of spiritual adultery.
The Consequences of Disobedience
The severe punishment prescribed in Leviticus 20:27—death by stoning—highlights the gravity of the offense. God does not take lightly the act of turning to false sources of wisdom and power. The punishment serves as a warning to others and as a means of purging the sin from the community.
In the case of the Israelites, these laws were given to maintain the purity of the people and to protect them from the corrupting influence of pagan nations. The Israelites were called to be a holy people, and engaging in occult practices would have defiled that holiness.
Though we are no longer under the Old Testament law, the principle remains that we must not turn to false sources of power or wisdom. God alone is the source of true wisdom, and seeking guidance from anything other than Him is spiritually dangerous.
Leviticus 20:27 Application in Life
The Danger of Occult Practices Today
While the specific punishment of death by stoning does not apply today, the principle behind Leviticus 20:27 still holds true. In modern society, we continue to see people engage in occult practices such as astrology, witchcraft, spiritism, and other forms of divination. These practices may seem harmless or even attractive to some, but they are spiritually harmful and can lead people away from God.
For Christians, it is important to avoid any form of the occult. The Bible repeatedly warns against consulting mediums, practicing witchcraft, or seeking knowledge from supernatural sources other than God. As Christians, our ultimate source of wisdom and guidance should always be God, as revealed through Scripture and prayer.
Trusting in God for Guidance
Leviticus 20:27 serves as a reminder to trust in God alone for wisdom and guidance. God is a loving and faithful Father who desires to lead His people in righteousness. In James 1:5, we are promised, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” When we seek God’s guidance, He will provide it. We don’t need to turn to occult practices or false sources of knowledge. God is always ready to lead us in His truth.
Avoiding Spiritual Defilement
The practice of seeking guidance from occult sources defiles the soul and distances us from God. Just as the Israelites were commanded to avoid practices that would defile them spiritually, Christians today are called to keep themselves pure by avoiding sin and anything that would defile their relationship with God. This includes avoiding practices that open the door to spiritual deception.
In 2 Corinthians 6:14-18, Paul urges believers to be separate from the world and not to be yoked together with unbelievers. This includes avoiding practices that contradict God’s commands, such as those found in the occult.
Living a Holy Life
Leviticus 20:27 also speaks to the importance of holiness in the life of a believer. God calls His people to live holy lives, set apart from sin and the world. This means rejecting any behavior or practice that would defile our relationship with Him, including occult practices. As Christians, we are called to reflect God’s holiness in our actions, our thoughts, and our attitudes.
Conclusion
Leviticus 20:27 is a strong warning against the practices of witchcraft, divination, and necromancy. God forbids these practices because they lead people away from Him and invite spiritual deception. The verse highlights the severity of turning to false sources of wisdom and power, and it serves as a reminder to trust in God alone for guidance.
While we are not under the Old Testament law, the principles behind this verse are still relevant today. Christians must avoid occult practices, trust God for wisdom, and strive to live holy lives. By doing so, we honor God and protect ourselves from the spiritual dangers of turning to sources other than Him.
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