Job 9:8-9

"Which alone spreadeth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the waves of the sea. Which maketh Arcturus, Orion, and Pleiades, and the chambers of the south." (Job 9:8-9)

 

The book of Job is the oldest book in the Bible. It is not surprising, therefore, that it contains a number of references to creation and the Flood, for these great events were still relatively fresh in the thinking of Job and his contemporaries. The first of these creation references in Job is our text above, and it is remarkable that it centers especially on the stars and their constellations. Still another constellation is mentioned in: "By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent." Finally: "Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion? Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons? Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth?". The term "Mazzaroth" actually means the twelve constellations of the Zodiac.

 

Thus, God not only created the stars, but arranged them in star groupings that could be used for "signs, and for seasons". Since God does nothing without a holy purpose, we can be sure that these sidereal signs were not to be used as astrological signs. God's Word, in fact, forbids the practice of astrology. The constellations must all in some way have testified of the coming Savior. "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ".