Daily DivinityTopic With Witness Dingani

"ECSTASY"
 - On today's topic the writer will deal with the "ecstasy" both in Ancient Israel and in Zimbabwean context.

 - The word ecstasy is known by many students, but the challenge is on how to explain it .Today the author hopes that after reading this article ,you will be able to teach your friends as well.

 - Different definitions about ecstasy have been brought forward by different authors. Ecstasy is an abnormal behavior of an individual as a result of being possessed by supernatural force "this cannot be denied "One will understand that this kind of behavior was associated with the Israelites .

 - J Lindblom cited by Ewbank says there are two types of ecstasy "absorption and concentration ecstasy"

~Absorption ecstasy is whereby an individual prophesy ecstatically after being induced by music .This is true in the case of sons of prophets of Samuel who prophesied ecstatically after being induced by music. This is recorded in 1 Samuel 10:10 .In Zimbabwean context ,this normally happens in "African Apostolic Churches". The white garment church is believed that they experience absorption ecstasy after singing .ZCC can be added ,dancing and singing cannot be separated with them after some time ,they will prophesy ecstatically.

"Zviratidzo Zvevapostori" can be added as well. It is said that after singing and dancing ,some they walk on fire. This is far from being normal.

~Concentration ecstasy is whereby an individual prophecy ecstatically after concentrating on a certain object. Amos in Amos 7 is an enough evidence to justify this .In Zimbabwean society this is commonly found in white garment churches ,they usually carry rods. Some have suggested that the major purpose of the object is to concentrate ,as a result they will prophesy ecstatically(Note this should be treated with grain of salt).

 - As much as it can be said that Israelites prophesied ecstatically after concentrating or after being induced (concentration and absorption ecstasy) one should consider the view that they are some who prophesied ecstatically after being possessed by the spirit of God. The story of the seventy elders which is recorded in Numbers 11:20-26 is known by everyone ( some authors have named this type of ecstasy as contagious ).But the point in this case is that they prophesied ecstatically after being possessed by the spirit of God.

 - Elijah is recorded to have ran and overtaked the chariot of Ahab before the entrance of Jezreeel ,this is abnormal. He might have prophesied ecstatically after being possessed by the spirit of God (Remember the hand of the lord touched him 1st Kings 18:45-46).This might be ecstasy even though scholars like Dr Constable doubt this.

N.B There are so many examples which can be added
~Isaiah 20:3
~Jeremiah 27
~1st Samuel 19:20-24


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