Sometimes, it is fun to ask for the moon! You know you probably won’t get it, but many times, the fun is in the asking.
Actually, I had someone ask me about the moon, and, of course, it got me thinking. He was a Muslim man who posed an interesting question. He said he couldn’t believe the Bible unless I could answer a specific question of his.
Now remember, whenever you hear a statement like that, it is more than likely not true. Why? Because even if you do answer their question, they still have to realize that they need to repent of their sins and believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sin. Many don’t want to do that and give up “control” over their lives. We do want to answer their questions, but it will not be the deal-breaker for whether or not they get saved.
Have you run across people who just want to be professional skeptics? That is their choice. It won’t play well on the other side, and it really doesn’t play well here either.
Creation makes it clear that there is a Creator. The Ten Commandments make it clear that I am a sinner. The cross and the resurrection make it clear that Jesus is the only One in whom hope can be found.
Trusting God’s Word
This Muslim man asked me, “In Genesis, it says the moon gives its own light. Since we know that isn’t true, how could I ever trust the Bible?” Genesis 1:14-19
And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:
And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.
And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.
And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth,
And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good.
And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.
As you can see, Genesis refers to the moon as a light.
Mark Your Calendar
Ezra 3:5
And afterward offered the continual burnt offering, both of the new moons, and of all the set feasts of the Lord that were consecrated, and of every one that willingly offered a freewill offering unto the LORD.
The new moon marked the beginning of a new month for the Jews. When they saw the sliver of a new moon, it was the beginning of a new month. As a matter of fact, the Jewish word for month, Hodesh, actually means “new moon.”
Psalm 104:19
He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down.
Who Owns the Light?
Isaiah 13:10
For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.
In each heavenly body that Isaiah writes about in this verse, it is mentioned that each of them will not give “their” light. It says this of the stars, the constellations, the sun, and the moon. It is interesting that all of these heavenly bodies are said to have their own light source, yet we hear today that only the sun and stars have their own light sources, and the moon does not, even though it is described that way in the Bible.
Also, very interestingly, it describes the moon as having “her light.” “Her” is a personal term. “Her” describes possession of something, as in “her car.” This means it belongs to her. So, when the Bible describes the moon as having “her light to shine,” does it mean that the moon possesses her own light?
Revelation 1:16
And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
Matthew 24:29
Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
Here we are again with this same phrase about the moon and “her light.” The way we would normally explain this is that if God covered the stars and the sun, then the reflection of the sun from the moon would cease. But is that what it is saying?
Revelation 21:10,11
And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;
I think we can be pretty sure here that when it says “her light” and the glory of God, it is not talking about light reflecting off of God that makes her light shine, but it is God Himself that this light comes from.
Psalm 89:37
It shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah.
Thinking on the Spot
So, my question is, “How would you have responded to this man?” Click on this link ([email protected]) and send me your thoughts. But remember, when you respond, hit me with Scripture. Back up your points with the Word of God. Why? The Word of God is our point of reference for answering questions from the lost. God is the master of language. He created it! We know He has preserved His Word and given us what we need to be reading all the days of our lives.
Psalm 12:6,7
The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.
God is a precise God. When He says there is only one way to get to heaven, He means what He says. This is what He has said about the moon. Looking forward to your feedback.
Until the nets are full,
P.S. Debra also wrote in about sharing the newsletter with others. What a great idea to pass them along to help your friends, family, and church family get steeled up to reach the lost!
Thank you, Mark,
YOU always send such valuable information that we can pass onto others. You strengthen us with every e-mail that you send our way, so we may continue to have a discerning Spirit and be led by the Holy Spirit of God in order to share his Holy Word. YOU help us more than we can express.
Love you and your ministry,
Debra
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