The Signs and Times
October 8 Jeremiah 10:1-11:23
Object Lessons That Demand Obedience
The Signs & Times
“Do not act like the other nations, who try to read their future in the stars. Do not be afraid of their predictions, even though other nations are terrified by them.” (Jer. 10:2)
The musical, “The Greatest Showman” has a powerful song that is sung between two lovers from different places and levels of life who want to be together against all odds. The song is called, “Rewrite the Stars” and here are a few of the lyrics, “No one can rewrite the stars. How can you say you’ll be mine? Everything keeps us apart. And I’m not the one you were meant to find. It’s not up to you, it’s not up to me when everyone tells us what we can be. How can we rewrite the stars?”
It’s a beautiful and powerful song, BUT… it’s based on ASTROLOGY!
Did you know that it was the Babylonians who developed astrology and horoscopes?
What does the Bible say about astrology? The short summary is that it is demonic and sinful.
Daniel 4:7 tells us that they sought magicians, enchanters, astrologers, and fortune tellers but no one could tell them what the dream meant… That is until the Living God got involved. We are told it is, “The God of heaven who reveals secrets and made known to king Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in latter days”. ( 2: 27-28)
Deuteronomy 18:10-14 warned God’s chosen people that, “There shall not be found among your anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices DIVINATION or tells fortunes or interprets OMENS, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord.”
Today’s passage begins with a BIG WARNING… God, himself hung the stars, moon, and planets and HIS people were to SEEK HIM ALONE for their future!
Matthew Henry, a well-known Bible commentator attributes a common saying to the Greeks, "He who sets himself up as another god ought first to make another world.”
Yet, God’s people were seeking “so-called gods, who did not make the heavens and the earth and all of this will vanish from the earth and from under the heavens.” (Jer. 10:11)
The worship of IDOLS and ASTROLOGICAL practices was about to “BRING THE HOUSE DOWN”! Literally and Figuratively…Jeremiah’s job was to tell them this VERY TRUTH!
How does this relate to us today?
President Ronald Reagan was one of my all-time favorite presidents with his humor, smile, and calming manner. He caused the nation to think the best of others and inspired us. He was from a Christian background with godly roots…
Just days after he was shot by the assassin on March 30, 1981, his wife Nancy got a call from a Hollywood friend who told her that the “star charts” drawn by a San Fransico astrologer had pinpointed that exact date as a dangerous day for her husband.
Her response was, “Oh my God, I could have stopped it.” Notice her words. She said “HIS NAME” but didn’t call on HIM…
She immediately called the famous astrologer, and the rest is now history.
From that day on, all white house schedules, public appearances, and plans were run through the hands of the astrologer. Not only did she seek astrological teaching but they say that her husband followed her lead and listened to her advice. Some writings say that he carried a “good luck charm” in his pocket after that time…
This seemingly godly man now followed the wisdom and advice of astrology rather than seeking God. I was so sad to see his last days ruled by Alzheimer's where he no longer recognized his beloved wife at all near the end. “The Stars” did not chart a good future…
Their love story is inspiring. Their love of astrology above the Sovereign God was tragic!
That lack of faith trickled down to their grown children as well.
He seemed so wise… but he quit teaching the truth and followed “A LIE”. Why??
Out of FEAR, she sought idols that really could not protect her beloved at all. He died a long painful death, and yet it was his death that she most feared!
Listen to this powerful message in today’s reading, “The shepherd of my people have LOST THEIR SENSES. They no longer seek wisdom from the Lord. Therefore, they fail completely, and their flocks are scattered.” (Jeremiah 10: 21)
Out of fear have we too “LOST OUR SENSES”?
Here is God’s admonition through Jeremiah, “If you obey me and do whatever I command you, then you will be my people, and I will be your God.” (11:4)
“The Signs and Times” belong to God alone and we are merely to TRUST and OBEY.
