Topical Bible: The Moon: Made to Glorify God

◄ The Moon: Made to Glorify God ►

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The moon, a celestial body created by God, holds a significant place in the biblical narrative as a testament to His power, creativity, and divine order. Throughout Scripture, the moon is depicted as a creation that not only serves practical purposes but also glorifies God by reflecting His majesty and sovereignty over the universe.

Creation and Purpose

The moon was created by God on the fourth day of creation, as recorded in Genesis 1:14-18 : "And God said, 'Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years, and let them serve as lights in the expanse of the sky to shine upon the earth.' And it was so. God made two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. God set them in the expanse of the sky to shine upon the earth, to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good."

The moon, referred to as the "lesser light," was designed to govern the night, providing illumination and marking time. Its cyclical phases serve as a natural calendar, helping to determine seasons and religious observances, such as the Passover and other feasts in the Jewish calendar.

Symbolism and Significance

In biblical literature, the moon often symbolizes constancy and faithfulness. Psalm 89:37 states, "like the moon, established forever, a faithful witness in the sky." This verse highlights the moon's role as a steadfast witness to God's enduring covenant with His people. The moon's regularity and predictability reflect God's unchanging nature and His reliability in fulfilling His promises.

The moon also serves as a symbol of God's glory and the splendor of His creation. Psalm 8:3-4 declares, "When I behold Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place—what is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You care for him?" The psalmist marvels at the grandeur of the moon and stars, recognizing them as the handiwork of God, which in turn magnifies His greatness and care for humanity.

Prophetic Imagery

The moon is frequently used in prophetic imagery to convey messages of judgment and hope. In Joel 2:31 , the prophet warns, "The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD." This apocalyptic vision underscores the moon's role in signaling significant divine interventions in history.

Conversely, the moon is also associated with the restoration and renewal of God's people. Isaiah 60:19-20 proclaims, "No longer will the sun be your light by day, nor the brightness of the moon shine on your night; for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your splendor. Your sun will no longer set, and your moon will not wane; for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and the days of your sorrow will cease." Here, the moon is part of a future vision where God's presence provides eternal light and joy, surpassing the need for celestial bodies.

Worship and Idolatry

While the moon is a creation that glorifies God, Scripture also warns against the worship of the moon as an idol. Deuteronomy 4:19 cautions, "And when you look to the heavens and see the sun and moon and stars—all the host of heaven—do not be enticed to bow down and worship what the LORD your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven." This admonition reflects the biblical principle that worship is due to the Creator alone, not His creation.

Conclusion

The moon, as depicted in the Bible, is a multifaceted symbol of God's creative power, faithfulness, and the divine order of the universe. It serves as a reminder of God's glory and His sovereign rule over all creation, while also cautioning against idolatry and pointing to the hope of future restoration.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 148:3
Praise you him, sun and moon: praise him, all you stars of light.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Letter vi. --For 334. Easter-Day, xii Pharmuthi, vii Id. April ...
... April; xvii Moon; ??ra Dioclet. ... us not be occupied with meats, but let us glorify
the Lord ... those who increased the grace twofold, both him who made ten talents ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/letter vi for 334 easter-day xii.htm

Again on the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xi. 25, "I Thank Thee, O ...
... as to foretell the eclipses of the sun and moon; and that ... being understood by the
things that are made, even His ... Is this then to glorify God; to give God thanks ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xviii again on the.htm

Rom. xv. 8
... Now all these quotations he has given to show that we ought to be united, and to
glorify God; and also, to ... hear him saying, "He made the moon for seasons ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxviii rom xv 8.htm

God's Glory the Chief End of Man's Being
... Other creatures are called to glorify God, but it is rather a ... and woods and seas
and sun and moon, and exhort ... wonder that man, whom God hath made so glorious ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture i gods glory the.htm

The Sad Case of a Relapse into Known and Deliberate Sin, after ...
... every side; so that neither sun, nor moon, nor stars ... the very same way in which you
made your first ... Such a one will rather desire to glorify God, by submitting ...
/.../the rise and progress of religion in the soul/chapter xxiii the sad case.htm

I Would Lay Open Before My God that Nine-And-Twentieth Year of ...
... of the day, and what part of its light, moon or sun ... But the Only Begotten is Himself
made unto us wisdom, and ... Him, knowing Him to be God, they glorify Him not ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter iii i would lay.htm

Having Heard Faustus, the Most Learned Bishop of the Manich??ans ...
... at what quarter of its light, either moon or sun ... Him, knowing that He is God, they
glorify Him not ... of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter iii having heard faustus the.htm

1 Timothy i. 15, 16
... so called; we say those are well-made, which are ... we alike behold this universe, the
sun, the moon, and the ... Let us then "glorify God, and take and bear Him in ...
/.../homily iv 1 timothy i.htm

Proof of the Absurdity of the Refusal to Glorify the Spirit, from ...
... Proof of the absurdity of the refusal to glorify the Spirit ... there is a certain glory
of sun and moon and stars ... Spirit of life," it is said, "hath made" us "free ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/chapter xxiv proof of the.htm

Of God and his Attributes.
... When you glorify the Lord, exalt him as much as you can ... humiliation of the soul before
him who made it. ... To complete the scene, the full moon rose at length in ...
/.../sect i of god and.htm