The Moon: Appointed: To Light the Earth by Night
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Topical Encyclopedia
The moon holds a significant place within the biblical narrative, serving as a testament to God's creative power and divine order. As one of the two great lights mentioned in Scripture, the moon is appointed to govern the night and provide illumination in the absence of the sun.

Creation and Purpose

The moon's creation is recorded in the Book of Genesis, where it is described as a lesser light to rule the night. Genesis 1:16 states, "God made two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night. He also made the stars." This passage underscores the moon's role in the divine order of creation, highlighting its purpose to provide light during the nighttime hours.

Symbolism and Significance

Throughout the Bible, the moon is often used symbolically to represent constancy and the passage of time. In Psalm 104:19 , it is written, "He made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows when to set." Here, the moon is depicted as a celestial marker, integral to the measurement of time and the changing of seasons.

The moon also serves as a symbol of God's faithfulness and the enduring nature of His covenant with creation. In Jeremiah 31:35 , the Lord declares, "This is what the LORD says, He who gives the sun for light by day, who sets in order the moon and stars for light by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar—the LORD of Hosts is His name." This passage emphasizes the moon's role in the divine orchestration of the universe, reflecting God's unchanging nature.

Prophetic Imagery

In prophetic literature, the moon often appears in apocalyptic imagery, symbolizing significant cosmic events and divine intervention. Joel 2:31 prophesies, "The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD." Such imagery is echoed in the New Testament, particularly in the Book of Revelation, where celestial disturbances herald the unfolding of God's final plan for humanity.

Regulation of Time and Festivals

The moon's phases are integral to the Hebrew calendar, which is lunar-based. This calendar system dictates the timing of various religious festivals and observances. For instance, the new moon marks the beginning of each month, as seen in Numbers 10:10 : "Also at your times of rejoicing—your appointed feasts and New Moon festivals—you are to sound the trumpets over your burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, and they will be a reminder for you before your God. I am the LORD your God."

Conclusion

The moon, as depicted in the Bible, is more than a mere celestial body; it is a divinely appointed light for the night, a symbol of God's order, and a marker of time and seasons. Its presence in Scripture serves as a reminder of the Creator's sovereignty and the intricate design of His creation.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Jeremiah 31:35
Thus said the LORD, which gives the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divides the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Concerning Light, Fire, the Luminaries, Sun, Moon and Stars.
... not merely light, but a vessel for containing light [1720 ... The course which the Creator
[1721] appointed for them to ... For the divine David says, The moon and the ...
/.../john/exposition of the orthodox faith/chapter vii concerning light fire the.htm

Influence of the Moon and Stars on Men.
... men suffering at such and such a phase of the moon, that the ... is not the dumb and
deaf demon, but the great light in heaven which was appointed "to rule ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/6 influence of the moon.htm

Christ as Light; How He, and How his Disciples are the Light of ...
... And as when the sun is shining the moon and the ... addressed to the disciples, "Ye are
the light of the ... in the sky, but one of another order, appointed for this ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/24 christ as light how.htm

The Oration. To-Day is the Festival of Our Great Emperor: and we ...
... will, dares not depart from his appointed path ... The inferior splendor of the moon,
alternately diminished and ... draw their being from incorporeal light, adore him ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter i the oration to-day is.htm

Christianity a Light.
... as we were on our way to an appointed meeting, we ... of God, but the time came when
the "moon [church] ceased ... Eph.5:8. "Ye are all the children of light, and the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter i christianity a light.htm

That God Only, the Creator of all Things, is to be Worshipped, and ...
... sun, or the increase and waning of the moon, but also ... Doubtless lest, as the light
of the sun was withdrawn ... in thinking that those lights were appointed by God ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap v that god only the.htm

The Doxology
... open our eyes, see things in their true light, and call ... in the sight of God than
sun, and moon, and stars ... to the glory and honour which God appointed for men ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/sermons for the times/sermon x the doxology.htm

Of the World, and Its Parts, the Elements and Seasons.
... the sun, and the shining orb of the moon, and with ... is seen,"yet, since it is a true
light, and of ... And on this account it was appointed by the ancients that ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap x of the world and.htm

On the Creation of the World
... Counsel; when it made sun and moon and other ... again from the dead, on which He created
light? ... Therefore, doubtless, there are appointed also twelve angels of ...
/.../victorinus/on the creation of the world/on the creation of the.htm

"The Earth was Invisible and Unfinished. "
... the glory of the sun and of the moon and were ... But she was waiting for the appointed
time and the divine ... air which surrounded it was still without light and in ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/homily ii the earth was.htm

Resources
Why didn't Jesus return during the blood-red moon of 2015? | GotQuestions.org

Will the sun really be turned to darkness and the moon to blood (Joel 2:31)? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Unification Church? | GotQuestions.org

Moon: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Moon

Moon: Created by God

Moon: Darkening of

Moon: Feast of the New Moon

Moon: Feast of the New Moon: Traffic at the Time of, Prohibited

Moon: Its Influences

Moon: Its Light

Moon: Joseph's Dream Concerning

Moon: No Light of, in Heaven

Moon: Seasons of (Months)

Moon: Shining of

Moon: Stands Still

Moon: Symbolical

Moon: Worship of, Forbidden

Moon: Worshiped

The Moon of Changeableness of the World

The Moon of Fairness of the Church

The Moon of Glory of Christ in the Church

The Moon: (Becoming Blood) of Judgments

The Moon: (Withdrawing Her Light) Deep Calamities

The Moon: Appointed by an Ordinance for Ever

The Moon: Appointed for a Light in the Firmament

The Moon: Appointed for Signs and Seasons

The Moon: Appointed for the Benefit of All

The Moon: Appointed: To Divide Day from Night

The Moon: Appointed: To Light the Earth by Night

The Moon: Appointed: To Rule the Night

The Moon: Bright

The Moon: Called the Lesser Light

The Moon: Created by God

The Moon: Fair

The Moon: First Appearance of, a Time of Festivity

The Moon: Has a Glory of Its Own

The Moon: Influences Vegetation

The Moon: Lunacy Attributed to the Influence of

The Moon: Made to Glorify God

The Moon: Miracles Connected With: Signs In, Before the Destruction of Jerusalem

The Moon: Miracles Connected With: Standing Still in Ajalon

The Moon: Worshipped As the Queen of Heaven

The Moon: Worshipping of Condemned As Atheism

The Moon: Worshipping of Forbidden to the Jews

The Moon: Worshipping of Jews often Guilty of

The Moon: Worshipping of Jews Punished For

The Moon: Worshipping of To be Punished With Death

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The Moon: Appointed: To Divide Day from Night
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