The Moon in Scripture
The Moon in Scripture
In the Bible, the moon is directly or indirectly referenced 48 times in the Old Testament, 17 times in the Apocrypha, and 10 times in the New Testament.
The Moon Declared
During the act of creation, Elohim did not just speak, but rather He declared that that something should occur. In the fourth day, Elohim was not creating just any light to exist, but He was declaring for His lights to exist in the Heavens. These lights were to serve His purposes that include separating light from darkness, acting as a calendar, as signals for the festival meetings, and as signs of the time.
The Moon as Part of Creation
As a part of creation, the moon came on the fourth day and was placed in the firmament of heaven along with the sun and the stars. This was after the creation of the earth's land, seas, and plants on the third day and before the creation of animals and mankind on the fifth and sixth days.
The Moon as a Light
The main purpose of the moon, as well as the sun and stars, was to separate the light from the darkness and to give light to the earth. It is the quantity and quality of the moon's light that allows it to serve in all of it's other functions. The moon is referred to as the lesser light because it is the second brightest object in the earth's sky after the sun. Furthermore, the moon was given dominion over the night which is opposite of the daytime which has the sun.
The Moon's Authority
The Almighty has made a covenant with the moon. The moon was given dominion over the night and is referred to as the lesser light which refers to it's being the second brightest object in the earth's sky after the sun.
The Moon as a Calendar
The sun, moon, and stars were made to act as a calendar. The sun and moon separate the day and the night. The moon is also used to measure the months of the year. This is shown in the Hebrew language as the word for month, chodesh, is the same word used for the new moon. The moon is also used as a reference to the timing of the three annual feasts: the feast of unleavened bread, the feast of weeks, and the feast of booths.
The Moon as a Sign
The moon was also made to be a visible sign for great events. Scripture records that during the end times there will be periods when the moon does not shine, when it will shine like the sun, that it will appear as blood, a third part will be darkened, and it will not be needed in New Jerusalem.
The New Moon Day Observance
There are instructions in Scripture about assembling together and of special burnt offerings being made for the first day of the month (new moon day). Historically, this is an event that is taken away from Israel during times of punishment. In the future, it will be the prince's job to do the offerings. There does not seem to be a stated purpose or commemoration connected with this event.
The Moon and Idolatry
The moon is a highly visible part of creation. The moon also has some emphasis within Scripture by the number of times it appears in the writings. Because of this, many warnings are given in Scripture about not worshipping the moon. Idolatry in any form is prohibited.
CSE Citation Elder T W. Exploring Creation [Internet]. Livingston (TX): Exploring Creation; 2011 Apr. 6. [cited your access date]. Available from: http://www.exploringcreation.info/astronomy/moon.htm
MLA Citation Elder, Todd W. Exploring Creation. Ed. Todd Elder. 6 Apr 2011. Exploring Creation. your access date http://www.exploringcreation.info/astronomy/moon.htm |
