(This is a follow-up to “Laban’s Luck”)

I have another question similar to the last question about divination.  According to Genesis 44:5, Joseph uses a cup for divination.  Again the Bible doesn't give much information about this.  So far I can think of two possible methods: hydromancy (which is divination using water or maybe other liquids) and/or scrying (which is an occult practice by means of seeing physically on anything clear such as glass, gemstone, crystal, and water or anything that reflects such as mirrors and, again, water).  The most popular object is a crystal ball.  If scrying is it, then either Joseph filled the cup with water and scryed, or if the cup can reflect, then he can scry on the cup.  But I don't know.  Do you know exactly what method he used?  If not, then do you know where I can get more information about this?

Sincerely,
Crying For Scrying

Dear Crying For Scrying,

The Bible gives absolutely no details on how Joseph used that cup for divining… it doesn’t even say that he does – it just mentions that Joseph’s steward was supposed to say that to Joseph’s brothers (Gen 44:1) as part of his ruse to get them to come back (Gen 44:14).  The proof that Joseph actually did use the practice of divining is tentative at best.  Regardless, divining is wrong today.  Though God spoke to the prophets in various forms in the past, today God speaks to us through His Son’s Word (Heb 1:1-2).  When we become christians, we throw away all occult practices (Acts 19:19).  There is nothing to divine that the Lord hasn’t already taught us in His Word (2 Pet. 1:3).

According to Genesis 30:27, Laban said that he was blessed by God because of 
Jacob.  He said he found out by divination, but the Bible doesn't say exactly 
what form of divination he used.  Do you have any idea what form of divining 
technique he used?  If not, do you know where I can get more information about
 this?

Sincerely,
Crying For Scrying

Dear Crying For Scrying,

Depending upon what translation you are using, Gen 30:27 might be a little confusing.  The word ‘divining’ simply means ‘to discern’ or ‘to have learned through experience’ in this context (many translations use the words ‘learned through experience’ in this verse to emphasis this point).  Laban had seen that God blessed him with prosperity as long as Jacob was around.  This was a practical observation, nothing more.

In the Bible in Genesis 1:26, the words “us” and “our” are used.  Besides God, who is "us" and "our?"  Angels?  Other gods?  Immortal beings?  The Trinity?

Sincerely,
Guess Who?

Dear Guess Who,

In Gen 1:26, the word ‘us’ refers to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  In fact, throughout that chapter, every time you see the word ‘God’, it is in the plural if you read it in the original Hebrew.  The reason for this is because all three members of the Godhead were there at the Creation.  John 1:1 states that Jesus was there at the creation of the universe.  Gen 1:2 points out that the Holy Spirit was there, and Mal 2:10 makes it clear that the Father was also there.  When the Godhead decided to make man in “our image” (Gen 1:26)… all three of them were in agreement.

Why were the people of Nineveh so willing to turn and repent after Jonah prophesied that their city would be destroyed?  How did he prove to them that he was a prophet of God?  Do you think God chose Jonah to complete this assignment, knowing he would try and run, and in the process, also cause the sailors who threw him overboard to believe in God?

Sincerely,
Waterlogged

Dear Waterlogged,

As far as we know, there was only one sign associated with Jonah – the miracle of his survival in the belly of the fish (Matt 12:39-40).  Jonah’s survival made him a living, breathing sign of the power and might of God (Lk 11:30).  When the Ninevites saw Jonah walking around alive and well in their city, they quickly listened and obeyed his preaching (Jonah 3:4-5).  It is impossible to speculate on exactly why God chose Jonah and when God chose to use the fish as His prophetic sign to the people of Nineveh… but suffice it to say, God can cause all things to work together for good (Rom 8:28).  Jonah’s flight from Nineveh can be compared to Joseph’s enslavement – man meant it for evil, but God used it for good (Gen 50:20).

Hey, my friend has been trying to tell me for at least three or four days that christians are still under the law of God (Ten Commandments) because there is a difference among the Law of God, the Ten Commandments, and the Law of Moses (ordinances, sacrifices, etc.); could you help me to show that there is one law?  Also, he told me that God made one covenant with the Israelites specifically about the Ten Commandments and another at another time.  He also says that the Ten Commandments are in heaven (Rev 11:19).  Thanks.

Sincerely,
Not A Lawyer

Dear Not A Lawyer,

The ‘Ten Commandments’ were Old Testament laws, and you need to live by nine of them. The entire Old Testament law, including the ‘Ten Commandments’ was done away when Christianity replaced Judaism (Gal 3:23-25). The New Testament law supersedes the Old Testament one, and the law written on stone tablets (the Mosaic law which includes the Ten Commandments (Deu 4:13) has passed away (2 Cor 3:3-11).

Having said that, the New Testament reiterates nine out of the ten commands. Christians do obey nine of the ‘Ten Commandments’ because Christ thought nine of them were worth keeping in the New Testament.

1. Thou shalt not have any other god before me (Ex 20:3, 1 Cor 10:14)
2. Thou shalt not make graven images or bow down to them (Ex 20:4-5, 1 Jhn 5:21)
3. Thou shalt not take God’s name in vain (Ex 20:7, Heb 12:28)
4. Honor thy father and mother (Ex 20:12, Eph 6:1-2)
5. Thou shalt not kill (Ex 20:13, 1 Pet 4:15)
6. Thou shalt not commit adultery (Ex 20:14, Heb 13:4)
7. Thou shalt not steal (Ex 20:15, Eph 4:28)
8. Thou shalt not bear false witness (Ex 20:16, Rev 21:8)
9. Thou shalt not covet (Ex 20:17, Eph 5:3)

The only one of the ‘Ten Commandments’ left out is the keeping of the Sabbath (Ex 20:8). Christians aren’t bound to keep the Sabbath holy; Jews were. You have to keep the other nine though.