The true God, however, neither employs irrational animals, nor any
individuals whom chance may offer,[829] to convey a knowledge of the
future; but, on the contrary, the most pure and holy of human souls,
whom He inspires and endows with prophetic power. And therefore,
whatever else in the Mosaic writings may excite our wonder, the
following must be considered as fitted to do so: “Ye shall not practise
augury, nor observe the flight of birds;”[830] and in another place:
“For the nations whom the Lord thy God will destroy from before thy
face, shall listen to omens and divinations; but as for thee, the Lord
thy God has not suffered thee to do so.”[831] And he adds: “A prophet
shall the Lord your God raise up unto you from among your
brethren.”[832] On one occasion, moreover, God, wishing by means of an
augur to turn away [His people] from the practice of divination, caused
the spirit that was in the augur to speak as follows: “For there is no
enchantment in Jacob, nor is there divination in Israel. In due time
will it be declared to Jacob and Israel what the Lord will do.”[833] And
now, we who knew these and similar sayings wish to observe this precept
with the mystical meaning, viz. “Keep thy heart with all
diligence,”[834] that nothing of a demoniacal nature may enter into our
minds, or any spirit of our adversaries turn our imagination whither it
chooses. But we pray that the light of the knowledge of the glory of God
may shine in our hearts, and that the Spirit of God may dwell in our
imaginations, and lead them to contemplate the things of God; for “as
many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”[835]
Footnote 829:
οὔτε τοῖς τυχοῦσι τῶν ἀνθρώπων.
Footnote 830:
Cf. Lev. xix. 26. The Septuagint here differs from the Masoretic text.
Footnote 831:
Cf. Deut. xviii. 14, cf. 12.
Footnote 832:
Cf. Deut. xviii. 15.
Footnote 833:
Cf. Num. xxiii. 23.
Footnote 834:
Prov. iv. 23.
Footnote 835:
Cf. Rom. viii. 14.