Comparisons (2)
Astrology (Not astronomy) had its origins in ancient Mesopotamia (Babylon). Astrology is the attempt to divine hidden knowledge and the future from the movement of celestial bodies. It's where modern day horoscopes etc come from.Not only had the Israelites been tempted by Babylonian idols (we saw this two days ago), but now they were also tempted by Babylonian astrology - interpreting portents and signs from the movement of the stars.
Isaiah puts it all in perspective: God controls the stars! He calls them all out by name! Don't look to the movement of the stars to try and predict the future - rather trust in the One who controls the stars!
It's very dangerous when one adopts a deterministic world view - that the movement of the stars influences one's destiny - because then it simply becomes a matter of "figuring out the system" so that one can "beat the odds" - Astrology isn't worship - It's an attempt to be in control.
Isaiah calls the Israelites away from mechanistic religion where those who "read the signs better" become more powerful and invites them into something new....
We can look into the heavens and see a bunch of signs and portents that move around in a fixed fashion and coldly dictate our future - or we can look at the heavens with awe, wonder and worship and see them as the handiwork of an awesome loving God who knows each of the billions of stars by name...
(As an aside - God uses the Bethlehem star to guide the magi from the East to Christ. This does not mean that God endorses astrology - He simply uses it to accomplish His purpose!)
CHALLENGE: While I may not consult a horoscope, am I obsessed with trying to know and control the future (do I obsessively listen to the news) or am I willing to trust the One who holds all the stars?
| "To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?" says the Holy One. Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. (Isaiah40:25-26) |
