El Pulpo Paul

When Kathy and I went to get groceries the other day, she at one point snatched a small can from the shelves and declared, “We need to buy some pulpo.”

We looked at each other, laughed, and then she quickly put the can back.

Pulpo is octopus. Ugh.

If you’ve followed the World Cup last month, an interesting side story emerged from behind the scenes in an aquarium in Germany. Paul, an octopus, began predicting matches involving Germany. His handlers would lower two clear boxes in his tank; each with food, and each bearing a different flag. As Paul would predict, Germany would follow suit. He correctly guessed all eight World Cup matches. He chose Spain (much to the chagrin of German fans) who ended up beating Germany in the semifinals, and then chose Spain again to win it all. He was hailed as a prophet!

However, it turns out that the Octopus Oracle didn’t have a perfect track record after all. He missed some games during the European Soccer Finals and as a result only boasts an 86% lifetime record predicting games (he is currently retired). He wasn’t a true prophet. The mark of someone who speaks on God’s behalf is 100% accuracy. 100%.

Paul reminds me of a classic source of guidance from my youth; a shiny black orb otherwise known as the “Magic Eight-Ball.” I would consult with it while I was in drugstores waiting for my mom to get our prescriptions filled. Inevitably, I’d ask if a particular girl liked me, or if I’d get something I wanted. If it didn’t give the message I desired, I’d shake it up and try again … and again ... and, well, you get the picture. I never thought of it as a slight against God…I just thought that it might be cool if it was true.

The issue with divination touches upon God’s deep desire to share life with us despite our refusal to walk with Him. It’s not that He doesn’t want us to know what’s around the corner; it’s that He wants us to trust in Him and walk with Him. Attempting to consult with the supernatural world by any means other than through the Creator of life is forbidden in Scripture. It results in trying to catch shifting shadows as opposed to entering the presence of the Author of light. It’s dangerous.

Why do people sometimes try to look elsewhere for guidance? Are we afraid to approach God with our requests? Are we afraid of meeting with God because of what He might tell us? I vividly remember spending several days during college where I wouldn’t look at the Bible or even pray; I was afraid that God would tell me something I didn’t want to hear. Why was I so afraid?

It’s one thing to make decisions about our lives by thinking through possible scenarios, making lists, deciding pros and cons, etc. You make a decision and live with it. It’s an entirely different thing when you approach God. If you ask, He will lead you…but maybe not in the direction you expect (or even want) to go. When God speaks, you end up with only two choices; obey or disobey.

The one thing God demands of all who would follow Him is trust. That’s not an easy way to live in a world as upside down as ours is. God wants us to trust Him. To take Him at His word. To experience the innumerable miracles He constantly parades around us through the eyes of faith.

How do we make and live out our choices in life? Our instincts? Our strategizing and planning? The Magic Eight-Ball? El Pulpo Paul? God?
Has God asked you to do something that would change your life and the lives of others?

Where do we put our trust?

Joe

Deuteronomy 18:17-22
“Then the LORD said to me, ‘What they have said is right. I will raise up a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites. I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell the people everything I command him. I will personally deal with anyone who will not listen to the messages the prophet proclaims on my behalf. But any prophet who falsely claims to speak in my name or who speaks in the name of another god must die.’

“But you may wonder, ‘How will we know whether or not a prophecy is from the LORD?’ If the prophet speaks in the LORD’s name but his prediction does not happen or come true, you will know that the LORD did not give that message. That prophet has spoken without my authority and need not be feared.

Exodus 28:30
Insert the Urim and Thummim into the sacred chestpiece so they will be carried over Aaron’s heart when he goes into the LORD’s presence. In this way, Aaron will always carry over his heart the objects used to determine the LORD’s will for his people whenever he goes in before the LORD.

Leviticus 19:31
“Do not defile yourselves by turning to mediums or to those who consult the spirits of the dead. I am the LORD your God.

Isaiah 8:11-20
The LORD has given me a strong warning not to think like everyone else does. He said, “Don’t call everything a conspiracy, like they do, and don’t live in dread of what frightens them. Make the LORD of Heaven’s Armies holy in your life. He is the one you should fear. He is the one who should make you tremble. He will keep you safe.

But to Israel and Judah he will be a stone that makes people stumble, a rock that makes them fall. And for the people of Jerusalem he will be a trap and a snare. Many will stumble and fall, never to rise again. They will be snared and captured.”

Preserve the teaching of God; entrust his instructions to those who follow me. I will wait for the LORD, who has turned away from the descendants of Jacob. I will put my hope in him. I and the children the LORD has given me serve as signs and warnings to Israel from the LORD of Heaven’s Armies who dwells in his Temple on Mount Zion.

Someone may say to you, “Let’s ask the mediums and those who consult the spirits of the dead. With their whisperings and mutterings, they will tell us what to do.” But shouldn’t people ask God for guidance? Should the living seek guidance from the dead?

Look to God’s instructions and teachings! People who contradict his word are completely in the dark. They will go from one place to another, weary and hungry. And because they are hungry, they will rage and curse their king and their God. They will look up to heaven and down at the earth, but wherever they look, there will be trouble and anguish and dark despair. They will be thrown out into the darkness.

Chapter 9:1-7
Hope in the Messiah
Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever. The land of Zebulun and Naphtali will be humbled, but there will be a time in the future when Galilee of the Gentiles, which lies along the road that runs between the Jordan and the sea, will be filled with glory.

The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine. You will enlarge the nation of Israel, and its people will rejoice. They will rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest and like warriors dividing the plunder.

For you will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders. You will break the oppressor’s rod, just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian. The boots of the warrior and the uniforms bloodstained by war will all be burned. They will be fuel for the fire.

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!

NLTse