The prophet's dictionary guide to the supernatural

living. Oracles are usually received by way of the priest’s delivery, even if modified, of the Lord’s word to a petitioning worshipper. Typically, the prophet and the priest are the ones to receive them. Oracles were felt to come by way of dreams, external or natural signs, or outright words spoken by the augurs, prophets, or diviners. The Old Testament’s priests’ inquiry of the Urim and Thummim is an example of a response to a petitioned oracle. Such responses were drawn from, or upheld, the law of God. Through them He enforced or elucidated for His ministers His commands. Oracles differ from prophecy in that they are petitioned for and are given in response to prayer, intercession, or inquiry. Prophecy comes as a direct initiative of the deity, irrespective of whether or not the prophet or the hearer sought the word. Solomon’s temple included an area for oracles. See 1 Kings 6:31. Oracles were ordinarily produced by inquiry. Worshippers and inquirers were answered by objects, people, or other means. That they were inquired of makes the present mockery over one seeking God’s prophets for spiritual information and insight into the future inappropriate. Oracles are often instructive and prescriptive in nature, but may also be a discourse of special sayings of the Lord. The Greek word for oracles is logion. It refers to “a saying or the burden of the sayings of the Lord.” In ancient times oracles were the site of the discourse as well as the verbalization of the discourse itself that came from the deity’s messenger. Oracles include the commandments and guidance that are not necessarily predictive or revelatory in nature. The Hebrew word for oracle is dabar and its site debir. It refers to the guidance one receives from God in answer to a question. Compare the meaning of the Old Testament word massa. It produces oracles that may or may not be of a prophetic nature or of prophetic intent. 977. Oracular Prophet—A prophet whose duties are primarily verbal communications, preaching, and prophesying over the miraculous confrontational exploits of the power prophet. 978. Orange—A) The color of fire. B) Indicates one is tried and proven. C) Also a harvest color or one of autumn. 979. Orgiastic—That which pertains to the orgies engaged in to celebrate the worship of fertility deities. A favored term for lewd sexually explicit fertility rites. 980. Orgies—Ceremonial worship of an idol that requires drunkenness,