God Actually Could Not Have Named the Stars and Shaped the Constellations at Creation - or He Would Have Been Pre-Destining Mankind to Fall...
The Bible tells us that the stars were created on the fourth day of the Creation week (Genesis 1:14-19). And, as we have already seen, the Bible says that God named the stars and shaped the constellations. It is He Who put His Redemptive Message in the night sky. But when did God do this? Did God also give the stars their names and the constellations their shapes at Creation? Since Creation happened before Adam and Eve Fell, Creation was before sin entered our world, according to the Biblical record. Since the star names and constellations were named by God and since He is using them to portray the Plan of Redemption, if God named the stars and shaped the constellations at Creation He would have been pre-destining mankind to Fall.
Every night, when Adam and Eve looked at the sky, they would have seen the unstoppable prophecy that they were going to rebel against God and bring sin to this planet. In such a scenario, it would have seemed like Adam and Eve had no other choice but to Fall to the devil’s temptations. They were doomed—fated—to fail.
Certainly, if this were so, it is an ugly picture of God! But, although He knows the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10), God did give mankind a choice, rather than unstoppably dooming all of mankind. The stars were made at Creation, but they were given their Salvation-themed names and the constellations their Redemptive shapes after the Fall of mankind. The only kind of “predestination” our loving God does is that after the Fall, He predestined us all to be saved (Ephesians 1:5; Romans 8:29-30).
In Genesis 4 we read of God talking with Cain, who was upset that his offering was not accepted. God told him, “If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”
If God had already predetermined what Cain would do, it would have been pointless to give Cain the advice to “rule over” sin. God gave Cain this advice and then allowed him to make his own decision. This is free moral agency—the opportunity God gives us to make choices regarding what we will do. In Deuteronomy 30:19, God encouraged the ancient Israelites to “choose life”—that is, choose His way of life so they could receive His blessings. This same choice comes to all of us. In other words, God gives us freedom to choose.
Bearing this in mind, let us consider what historical sources say about when God named the stars and shaped the constellations. From Egypt to Babylon, Greece to Rome, and beyond, the ancient civilizations attributed the star names and constellation shapes to a divine Creator. And the historical records suggest that these constellation names and shapes were first given in the time of Enoch—the seventh generation from Adam.
John Pratt, in his article titled, “Scientifically Dating the Constellations” wrote:
Considering the historical writings on the origins of the star names and constellation shapes, we see that many sources tell us the Plan of Redemption did not come to be associated with the stars, nor did the constellations have their shapes, until about the time of Enoch, who was seventh from Adam. Thus, we may see that the star and constellation names were given after the Biblical Fall of mankind.
The Bible tells us that the stars were created on the fourth day of the Creation week (Genesis 1:14-19). And, as we have already seen, the Bible says that God named the stars and shaped the constellations. It is He Who put His Redemptive Message in the night sky. But when did God do this? Did God also give the stars their names and the constellations their shapes at Creation? Since Creation happened before Adam and Eve Fell, Creation was before sin entered our world, according to the Biblical record. Since the star names and constellations were named by God and since He is using them to portray the Plan of Redemption, if God named the stars and shaped the constellations at Creation He would have been pre-destining mankind to Fall.
Every night, when Adam and Eve looked at the sky, they would have seen the unstoppable prophecy that they were going to rebel against God and bring sin to this planet. In such a scenario, it would have seemed like Adam and Eve had no other choice but to Fall to the devil’s temptations. They were doomed—fated—to fail.
Certainly, if this were so, it is an ugly picture of God! But, although He knows the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10), God did give mankind a choice, rather than unstoppably dooming all of mankind. The stars were made at Creation, but they were given their Salvation-themed names and the constellations their Redemptive shapes after the Fall of mankind. The only kind of “predestination” our loving God does is that after the Fall, He predestined us all to be saved (Ephesians 1:5; Romans 8:29-30).
In Genesis 4 we read of God talking with Cain, who was upset that his offering was not accepted. God told him, “If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”
If God had already predetermined what Cain would do, it would have been pointless to give Cain the advice to “rule over” sin. God gave Cain this advice and then allowed him to make his own decision. This is free moral agency—the opportunity God gives us to make choices regarding what we will do. In Deuteronomy 30:19, God encouraged the ancient Israelites to “choose life”—that is, choose His way of life so they could receive His blessings. This same choice comes to all of us. In other words, God gives us freedom to choose.
Bearing this in mind, let us consider what historical sources say about when God named the stars and shaped the constellations. From Egypt to Babylon, Greece to Rome, and beyond, the ancient civilizations attributed the star names and constellation shapes to a divine Creator. And the historical records suggest that these constellation names and shapes were first given in the time of Enoch—the seventh generation from Adam.
John Pratt, in his article titled, “Scientifically Dating the Constellations” wrote:
“Nearly all ancient nations, including the Greeks, Romans and Egyptians, attributed the constellations to a divine source. The Hebrews, Persians and Arabs attributed their names to the antediluvian patriarchs such as Adam, Seth and Enoch. Modern astronomy confirms that the figures most likely originated… when Enoch lived.” (Scientifically Dating the Constellations, www.johnpratt.com/items/docs/constellations_date.html) Hugh Thurston’s Early Astronomy, (New York: Springer-Verlag, 1994), p. 135-137The Book of Enoch mentions the time when God gave the star and constellation names. Enoch is not a book of the Bible, but is an Apocryphal work with historical value. As Wikipedia explains:
“The Book of Enoch is an ancient Jewish religious work, ascribed by tradition to Enoch, the great-grandfather of Noah, although modern scholars estimate the older sections (mainly in the Book of the Watchers) to date from about 300 BC, and the latest part (Book of Parables) probably to the first century BC.” (“Book of Enoch”, Wikipedia, www.wikipedia.com)The Book of Enoch states that an angel of God revealed the star names and constellation shapes to the prophet Enoch, long before the Great Flood. When he came to understand their meaning, it records that he exclaimed:
“I blessed the LORD of glory, Who had made those great and splendid signs, that they might display the magnificence of His Works to angels and to the souls of men; and that these might glorify all His Works and Operations; might see the effect of His Power; might glorify the great labor of His Hands; and bless Him forever.”—Enoch 35:3
“Albumazer, who lived at the court of the Caliphs of Grenada early in the ninth century, in his description of the signs and their Decans, to which the annexed tables refer, concludes by saying that they had come down to his time unaltered; that they were known all over the world, and had been the objects of long speculation, and that “many had attributed to them a divine and even a prophetic virtue.”...
These signs were known among all nations and in all ages. From the almost antediluvian chronologies of China, India, and Egypt, to the traditions of the recently discovered islands of the South Sea, traces of them are discerned, most clearly among the most ancient and earliest civilized nations. In the remains of Assyria they are recognized; in those of Egypt they are perfectly preserved; in those of Etruria and Mexico they are traceable.
This wide diffusion indicates a common origin, both of the race of man and of the symbols of astronomy. The love of symbols has been considered as natural to man; the creation amid which he is placed, as symbolical. Of this universal tendency the inventors of astronomy seem to have availed themselves, rendering it subservient to man’s spiritual education, by familiarizing to his mind the lofty truths of Divine revelation...
Enoch, (Seth’s) descendant, with whom he was long contemporary, is said by tradition to have given names to the stars: the further development of prophecy that appears among the constellations annexed to the signs, above and below them, may then be referred to him. “The family of Seth” thus devised, carried on, and completed this great work, which remains to us an unchanged memorial of their piety, their intellect, and the revelation, which they were endeavoring to perpetuate.” (Frances Rolleston, “Mazzaroth or the Constellations”, p 20-28).
Considering the historical writings on the origins of the star names and constellation shapes, we see that many sources tell us the Plan of Redemption did not come to be associated with the stars, nor did the constellations have their shapes, until about the time of Enoch, who was seventh from Adam. Thus, we may see that the star and constellation names were given after the Biblical Fall of mankind.
Are you loving God's Star Messages? Now you can go deeper with God's Amazing Star Secrets!
Get Shauna Manfredine's book!
For more information about the Mazzaroth (God's constellation tapestry) and His Messages in the 48 original constellations, request your own copy of Shauna Manfredine's book, God's Amazing Star Secret (book trailer).
Turn your Church or Venue into a Planetarium for a Night (or Weekend)! Now you can share God's Amazing Star Secrets with your whole family, church, or gathering! Request Shauna Manfredine to give her inspiring and well-researched, planetarium-style God's Amazing Star Secrets presentation.
In her presentation(s), Shauna shows the meaning of Psalm 19:1-4 and the original names of the stars based upon earth's first recorded language(s). She shows archaeological evidence of the original constellations and the amazing connection between the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 primary constellations. And she explains the Plan of Redemption in the original star and constellation names. More information...
Fascinating history!
ReplyDeleteYou might want to read your Bible before you make false claims: Psalm 147:4; He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name.
DeleteIsaiah 40:26 Lift up your eyes on high, And see who has created these things, Who brings out their host by number; He calls them all by name, By the greatness of His might And the strength of His power; Not one is missing.
Your quote"God Actually Could Not Have Named the Stars and Shaped the Constellations at Creation - or He Would Have Been Pre-Destining Mankind to Fall...
Thank you, thank you Shauna. I love the blogs you are sharing and I believe they are essential in the Body of Messiah, and we need to pay attention to what's going on.
ReplyDelete