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Thanks for defending truth here today. Truth from the holy scriptures rather than human tradition. Any defender of the scriptures is a friend of mine. We are instructed to examine all teachings carefully and only hold fast to that which is good (1 Thes. 1:21), and "he who is spiritual appraises all things" (1 Cor. 2:15). Incidentally...

TO ALL:

Please read what the NASB says in Isa. 8:19,20:

And when they [Israel] say to you, "Consult the mediums and the spiritists who whisper and mutter," should not a people consult their God? Should they consult the dead on behalf of the living? TO THE LAW AND TO THE TESTIMONY! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn.

Here are the same two verses from Douay-Rheims:

19 And when they shall say to you: Seek of pythons, and of diviners, who mutter in their enchantments: should not the people seek of their God, for the living of the dead? 20 To the law rather, and to the testimony. And if they speak not according to this word, they shall not have the morning light.

What is the meaning of these verses? Would someone like to paraphrase?

I'll take a crack at it...

And when your people say to you, "Consult the mediums and spiritualists who whisper and mumble," doing all sorts of strange things to make you think they have knowledge, wouldn't it be smarter to consult God? Why would you consult those who are dead for advice for those who are still alive? Why would you consult those who do not know God on behalf of those that do? Any such information must be consistent with the Law, and the testimony of the Law. If these mediums and spiritualists do not speak according to God's Word, it is because they are not of God, and have no light of God's wisdom in them.

Seems pretty straightforward to me...A Christian (or a Jew for that matter) should not be calling Miss Cleo, or John Edwards,or Edgar Cayce, or seeking knowledge of the future, from any other source other than God.

This is simply a warning to the children of Israel not to look to familiar spirits but to the law.

19 And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?

20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

The only other translation I use besides KJV is the Amplified Version, so I'll give it: Isaiah 8:19-20; And when the people [instead of putting their tust in God] shall say to you, Consult for direction mediums and wizards who chirp and mutter, should not a people seek and consult thier God? Should they consult the dead on behalf of the living?

[Direct such people] to the teaching and to the testimony! If their teachings are not in accord with this word, it is surely because there is no dawn and no morning for them.

Check out Ps. 106:28-29 KJV They joined themselves also unto Baal-peor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead. Thus they provoked him to anger with their inventions (deeds) and the plague brake in upon them.

Sounds to me like God doesn't really want us to have trust in the dead.

Becky

What is the meaning of these verses? Would someone like to paraphrase?

I've broached this subject before with one of these passages from Isaiah, they were recieved by deaf ears. When the point is sealed, they cry foul but will not address the blatent nature of the affront their doctrines represent to the Bible. The ears close as they curse the speaker of scripture and cling to their philosophies.