In the ancient Near Eastern context, the division of time into months was not merely a practical measure for agricultural and societal organization but also held significant religious and spiritual implications. Among idolatrous nations surrounding Israel, the prognostication by months was a common practice, often intertwined with astrology and the worship of celestial bodies.

The Bible explicitly warns against the practices of divination and astrology, which were prevalent among the pagan nations. In Deuteronomy 18:10-12 , the Israelites are admonished: "Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD." This passage underscores the prohibition against adopting the idolatrous customs of surrounding nations, including the prognostication by months.

The prophet Isaiah also addresses this issue, highlighting the futility and impending judgment upon those who rely on such practices. In Isaiah 47:13 , the prophet mocks the Babylonian astrologers: "You are wearied by your many counselors; let them stand up and save you—those who divide the heavens, who gaze at the stars, who predict by the new moons what will happen to you." Here, the reliance on monthly prognostications is depicted as a source of weariness and ultimately ineffective in averting divine judgment.

The practice of prognosticating by months was often linked to the worship of celestial bodies, which was strictly forbidden in Israelite law. In 2 Kings 23:5 , King Josiah's reforms are noted: "He also did away with the idolatrous priests appointed by the kings of Judah to burn incense on the high places of the cities of Judah and on those around Jerusalem—those who burned incense to Baal, to the sun and moon, to the constellations and all the host of the heavens." This passage illustrates the extent to which idolatrous practices, including those related to celestial worship and monthly prognostications, had infiltrated Judah.

The biblical narrative consistently portrays the prognostication by months as part of a broader system of idolatry that leads people away from the worship of the one true God. The Israelites were called to be distinct from the nations around them, adhering to the commandments of God and rejecting the idolatrous practices that included astrology and divination.

In summary, the Bible presents the practice of prognosticating by months as a characteristic of idolatrous nations, condemned by God and incompatible with the faith and practices of the Israelites. The biblical texts emphasize the futility and danger of such practices, urging the people of God to rely solely on Him for guidance and wisdom.Isaiah 47:13
You are wearied in the multitude of your counsels. Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save you from these things that shall come on you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

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