SPECIAL TOPIC: THE DEMONIC IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

  1. The exact relationship between fallen angels and the demonic is uncertain. I Enoch asserts that the Nephilim of Gen. 6:1-8 are the source of evil (most rabbis also focus on Genesis 6 and not Genesis 3). I Enoch says that these half angel/half human beings were killed by the flood (it even asserts that their death was the purpose of the flood), and now their disembodied spirits are seeking a body host. This is interesting, but not revelatory (i.e., inspired).

  2. There are several hostile spirits or demons named in the OT.
    1. Satyrs or "hairy ones," possibly goat demons (BDB 972 III, KB 1341 III) – Lev. 17:7; 2 Chr. 11:15; Isa. 13:21; 34:14
    2. Shedim (BDB 993, KB 1417) – Deut. 32:17; Ps. 106:37, to which sacrifices were made (similar to Molech)
    3. Lilith, the female night demon (BDB 539, KB 528) – Isa. 34:14 (part of Babylonian and Ugarit myth)
    4. Azazel, demon of the desert (name of chief demon in I Enoch, cf. 8:1; 9:6; 10:4-8; 13:1-2; 54:5; 55:4; 69:2) – Lev. 16:8,10,26 (BDB 736, KB 806)
    5. Psalm 91:5-6 are personifications of pestilence (cf. Ps. Ps. 91:10), not spiritual beings (cf. Song of Songs 3:8)
    6. Isaiah 13:21 and 34:14 list several desert animals as a way to show the desolation of destroyed places. Some assume that the list includes the demonic to illustrate that these destroyed places are also haunted (cf. Matt. 12:43; Luke 11:24; Rev. 18:2)
    7. Beelzebul ‒ SPECIAL TOPIC: BEELZEBUL
    8. Belial ‒ SPECIAL TOPIC: BELIAL

  3. The OT monotheism (see SPECIAL TOPIC: MONOTHEISM) silenced and modified the legends of the pagan nations, but sometimes names and titles of their superstitions are referred to (esp. poetic texts). The reality of evil spirits is a part of progressive revelation and is developed in the NT as is the person/angel of Satan (see SPECIAL TOPIC: SATAN) and his spirit followers (i.e., demons; aee SPECIAL TOPIC: ANGELS AND DEMONS).

  4. There is more to reality than the physical/material universe! The questions one must ask of the Bible are
    1. Does the OT reflect an ANE worldview?
    2. Does the NT reflect a 1st century Mediterranean worldview?
    3. Does the Bible reveal true reality in ways the OT and NT people could understand?
       It has been understood by modern believers that God "accommodated" (Calvin) His revelations so that fallen, earth bound humans could understand. I think a good example of this is how little the Bible tells us about the spiritual realm.
      1. the nature of triune monotheism
      2. the origin of Satan and demons
      3. the different kinds of angels
      4. the divine-human aspect of Scripture
      5. a description of humans' future abode
         (1) heaven
         (2) recreated earth
         (3) hell

As I was writing this, a profound thought came to my mind about the demonic. Maybe as God used the serpent in the garden to offer an alternative to faith, trust, devotion to YHWH, the same thing is true today—ANE mythology of creation (i.e., atheistic evolution, alien origins, mathematic speculation on life on other planets, galaxies). Part of the spiritual realm personalities are in God's plan to create a people who choose to know Him! Earth then becomes a pre-fellowship testing ground.

A knowledge of physical and spiritual reality is not as important (i.e., Job) as a personal faith/trust relationship with its Creator! We do not need more knowledge, we need more faith in Him!

 

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