Understanding the zodiac constellations as a Christian is challenging. In the secular world, the mention of stars, constellations and the zodiac often evokes thoughts of astrology and horoscopes. From ancient times until the present, people in cultures throughout the world have tried to corrupt the truth of God’s creation. They have used the stars and constellations to seek knowledge of the future or the unknown. And these practices have led multitudes astray with false predictions, myths and lies.
But this should not be. God created the heavens and the earth. He created the lights in the heavens—the sun, the moon, and the stars—on the fourth day of creation. And He placed the sun, moon and stars “…to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years.” (Genesis 1:14-19 ESV).
Since this is true, what can we learn from what God has revealed through His creation of the constellations? What are zodiac constellations? And just how did we end up accepting that the constellations and the zodiac are tied to astrology and horoscopes?
God’s Revelations about the Constellations
In Job 38, there is a monologue from God directed to Job who had stated his case for his own self-righteousness. Job believed that he was blameless before God and man and did not deserve the severe troubles and afflictions that plagued him. Job said that he wanted God to answer him so that Job could justify himself and give God an account of his every step.
During God’s response to Job, God challenged him with this: “Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades? Can you loosen Orion’s belt? Can you bring forth the constellations (Mazzaroth) in their seasons or lead out the Bear with its cubs?” (Job 38:31-32 NIV).
Thus, we see from the above passage and elsewhere in the Bible that the constellations and stars have names. In Psalm 147:4 we are told: “[God] determines the number of stars and calls them each by name.” This is stated similarly in Isaiah 40:25-26: “To whom will you compare Me? Or who is My equal?” says the Holy One. “Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name.”
The Bible does not give us all the names of the constellations as God has called them. There are about four constellations that are identified by name in the Bible. Through astronomy, the scientific study of space and the universe, man has identified about 88 constellations. Man’s assignment of names to the constellations is helpful in distinguishing one constellation from another.
But God created them all and God has a name for every star and all the constellations.
What Are Constellations?
A constellation is defined as a cluster of stars, or stars which appear to be near each other in the heavens, and which astronomers have reduced to certain figures (as the “Great Bear,” the “Bull,” etc.) for the sake of classification and memory.
As I researched the definition for the word “constellation,” I was amazed (but not surprised) at the level of corruption that the secular world has assigned to God’s creation. The majority of the definitions ascribed zodiac constellations to astrology and horoscopes. However, these practices are direct violations of God’s commands to not engage in divination. To practice divination means that one is trying to foretell the future or seek knowledge of the unknown without God’s authority, guidance or revelation.
In Deuteronomy 29:29 Moses says, “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and our children forever…” And in the book of Isaiah, God declares: “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’” (Isaiah 46:10)
Here is the truth: God is the creator of the heavens and the earth. He created the constellations. And He communicates His messages through His signs. Therefore, regardless of what man says or how many lies are told, God’s truth must and will stand. The sun, moon and stars were created by God “[to] let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years.” And because the stars were created for signs, there must be messages that God wants to convey through these heavenly objects that He created.
What Is the Zodiac?
The zodiac is a term used to describe the constellations that mark out the path on which the sun appears to travel over the course of a year. In Hebrew, “Mazzaroth” is the Hebrew word used to describe the zodiac constellations. This term is found in the Bible in Job 38:32 (see above) and has nothing to do with astrology. It is believed that the word “zodiac” comes from the Greek words zidiakòs kýklos meaning “a circle of little animals.”
Here’s an interesting fact: Astronomers have identified and named 13 zodiac constellations. The 13th zodiac constellation is Ophiuchus. By some counts, there are even more constellations in the zodiac, as many as 21.
Below is a comparison of the astronomy zodiac calendar and the astrology zodiac calendar.
The Truth of the Zodiac Constellations
In Psalm 19:1 it is written: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the works of His hands.” Throughout the Bible, there is evidence that God has given us signs in the heavens. The rainbow is a sign that God will never again destroy the earth by a flood (Genesis 9:12-16). God promises to show signs in the heavens and on the earth before the second coming of Yeshua in Joel 2:30-31. And in Matthew 24:30, again speaking of the second coming of the Son of God, it is stated: “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven.” These are but a few examples and they clearly convey that God speaks to us through the heavens and the heavenly bodies that He created.
God’s commands are that we are not to worship the sun, the moon or the stars (Deuteronomy 4:19). And we are not to worship anyone or anything other than Him (Exodus 20:4-6 & Deuteronomy 5:8-10). We are to worship God in Spirit and in truth (John 4:23).
Clearly, in making the sun, moon and stars God intended them to communicate His truth and His plans for His creation. And the truth of the zodiac constellations is that God created them on the fourth day of creation. He created them “…to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years.”
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God’s Signs in the Sun, Moon and Stars and Biblical Feast Days
