Written by J.C.
What if the stars told us the story of Yahushua Messiah and the Set-apart Spirit; Satan and his falling; redemption; the Temple, the Holy of Holies, and the High Priest? What if we could look into the sky and see the Re-gathering of the twelve tribes of Israel? Or if could see the whole original Hebrew alphabet written as a scroll in the heavens? What if the stars taught us about the ark, judgment, and blessing? What if we could learn about people of faith like Elijah, Ezekiel, and Jonah just from looking at the night sky?
Psalm 19:1-3 The heavens are proclaiming the esteem of Ěl, And the expanse is declaring the work of His hand. Day to day pours forth speech, And night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, and there are no words, Their voice is not heard.
In Psalm 19 we learn that the heavens give glory to YHWH and each night they reveal knowledge. When many of us look at the night sky, we are in awe of our Creator. However, many of us do not know how to interpret the knowledge that is revealed to us in the stars. We may enjoy finding a constellation or two, but is there more YHWH wants to tell us in the stars?
One helpful resource we have used is H.A. Rey’s book: The Stars: A New Way to See Them. H.A. Rey is most well-known for his Curious George books. He writes in a way that is deep and thorough, but at the same time, simple and easy to comprehend. Allow me to make the point that H.A. Rey’s book does not look at the stars from a Hebrew/Biblical perspective. I do not agree with many of his interpretations or the popular pagan names he attributes to the constellations. However, Rey presents a new, graphic way to look at the constellations that is different than most perspectives. He connects “the dots” in a way that makes sense of the constellations. His book contains excellent charts for how to locate the exact position of the constellations throughout the year. This is a great companion to have if you want to locate the constellations.
Scripture says that all the stars have names. Their original names would not be Greek or Latin names, contrary to what most people associate with the constellations and stars. Their true names are from the original Hebrew language.
Psalm 147:4 He appoints the number of the stars, He gives names to all of them.
With H.A. Rey’s illustrations and many other resources, we have been able to discover many of the Hebrew names of the stars. The key to studying the stars is to search out their meanings in Scripture. This brings incredible knowledge about the stars. It also helps with understanding Scripture better. The more a person searches out the stars, the more they realize the supreme story within them!
YHWH has created the stars to tell us the story of the world since the beginning of time! Stars are almost meant to be the “pictures” for the Scriptures. The exact constellations seen by anyone looking at the sky thousands of years ago are the same constellations observed by us today. However, most people today have no awareness of the significance of what they are actually looking at in the sky. All of mankind has been observing the stars ever since man was created. It is not complicated to figure out why. We read in the book of Genesis that the stars were created to be signs.
Genesis 1:14-16 And Elohim said, “Let lights come to be in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be for signs and appointed times, and for days and years, and let them be for lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth.” And it came to be so. And Elohim made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night, and the stars.
We have also learned the entire original Hebrew alphabet is in the stars! I was amazed to perceive this, but nevertheless, it is true. Hebrew was the original language given by YHWH Himself. The most obvious example of what I mean can be shown in The Big and Little Dipper.
Isaiah 34 and Revelation 6 give future prophecies about the stars falling from heaven.
Isaiah 34:4 And all the host of the heavens shall rot away. And the heavens shall be rolled up like a scroll, and all their host fade like a leaf fading on the vine, and like the fading one of a fig tree.
Revelation 6:13-14 And the stars of the heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its unripe figs, being shaken by a strong wind. And heaven departed like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place.
These verses describe the heavens being rolled up like a scroll. This means that the stars speak to us in the same way as a scroll or a book speaks to us. It is not that surprising then for YHWH to put His language in the stars for the whole world to find and observe.
Most people have no idea that the Aleph is even there! The Big Dipper is considered part of a well-known, but completely different, constellation: the Bear. However, once the Hebrew letters are shown to you in the sky, their presence becomes obvious. All 22 Hebrew letters appear in the constellations!
Another important concept to understand is how the Pole Star (aka North Star) works. The Pole Star is seen in the Aleph constellation. The Pole Star keeps its place in the sky—precisely north. This is because the Pole Star is located at the “pole of the sky,” which is practically halfway between the horizon and the point directly overhead. The other stars rotate around the pole of the sky, with the Pole Star in the center. All the other constellations and stars follow their path around the Pole Star counterclockwise. This 360° rotation takes place daily or more accurately every 23 hours and 56 minutes. This is why you might call the Pole Star the “Head Star.” All the other stars revolve around the Head Star.
H.A. Rey has an illustration in his book that helps to understand this concept. He uses a picture of an umbrella. The umbrella is part of our vision of the sky. The center point of the umbrella represents the Pole Star. As the handle of the umbrella turns, constellations on it also turn.
Understanding the five “layers” of the sky also helps. The sky from the way we see it is divided into five layers. The layers are the Highest Heavens, Heavens, Earth (ecliptic), She’ol (hell, grave), and Lowest She’ol. I am not saying that there are two layers to the sky and then three below. Rather I am saying that all five layers are represented in the actual sky. It is important not to misplace any of the constellations from their correct layer. A constellation found on the Lowest She’ol is going to represent something completely different than a constellation found on the Highest Heavens level.
There are a couple of specific constellations that fascinate me. The first is the Aleph, which as I showed before, is a combination of the Big and Little Dipper. This can be one of the easiest to find. The Aleph constellation is spotted on the Highest Heaven level in the sky. The Pole Star is found on the handle of the Little Dipper. This means that not only do all the constellations revolve around the Pole Star, but that the Aleph takes center stage in the sky. The Hebrew letter Aleph has several meanings: one, El, a leader, a yoked team, a thousand, to learn and to make a family. Can you guess what this constellation is meant to represent? The Aleph is meant to represent YHWH, the Creator.
Another constellation that I am particularly fascinated by is Hercules (above), which means “the strong one.” This constellation can be found at the Heavens level of the sky. It is usually thought to be a man holding a club.
However, Hercules it is more accurately the prophet Ezekiel using a sword to kill a serpent.
The Hebrew name Y’cheez-qel (Ezekiel) means “El is my strength (with a sword).” The book of Ezekiel mentions the use of a sword 82 times. In his mighty right hand, he is holding the sword in a position to destroy. On his left side, he is reaching with an outstretched arm toward a constellation that represents a serpent. The constellation is positioned in a way where it resembles a warrior that will NOT back down!
Ezekiel 20:33-35 “As I live,” declares the Master יהוה, “do not I, with a mighty hand, with an outstretched arm, and with wrath poured out, reign over you? And I shall bring you out from the peoples and gather you out of the lands where you are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with wrath poured out. And I shall bring you into the wilderness of the peoples, and shall enter into judgment with you face to face there.”
The context of this verse is when YHWH gathers His people from the nations where He scattered them. By looking at “Ezekiel” in the stars we are reminded that YHWH is gathering His people with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm.
Our family took a trip to Wadi Rum. Wadi Rum is a desert area in Jordan that is known for being one of the best places for stargazing. The view of the stars is breathtaking! The sky in Wadi Rum is the darkest sky with the brightest white stars. While we stood for moments watching in awe, we tried to identify constellations. I found three constellations. The first one I spotted was Orion (High Priest). I looked for the three stars that make up his belt. Then Mom and I both happened to see the Twins at the same time. We were both excited because neither of us had ever identified the twins before. Later that night, I think I was able to see the Cup on Hydra’s back. This “cup” is a cup of wrath that is located on the Leviathan’s back in the stars. The Leviathan is the biggest of all constellations. However, I was not able to make out the monster, only the cup.
Although we spotted just a few constellations, we were happy to be able to positively identify them so clearly. Finding constellations in the sky can be very difficult, especially if you are not an expert on the stars. We are not…yet. However, each time we find a constellation, we learn more about the arrangement and location of the stars. Our family has studied H.A. Rey’s book and our friend’s star charts, but there is nothing like looking at the real sky, especially in a place as brilliant as Wadi Rum.
I had an experience with my Heavenly Father while looking at the stars in Wadi Rum. We settled in our rooms, which were like luxury camping. Everyone in our family went to the dinner buffet that night. However, I stayed back in my room because I ended up having a fever and was feeling terrible. It felt very quiet.
As I lay in bed I thought about the stars. I knew we would leave Wadi Rum the next morning. I wanted to be able to see another constellation, particularly one I had never seen before. Knowing the difficulty in randomly looking for constellations, I thought about asking the Father to show me a constellation in the sky. Then, for some reason, I did not ask. I jumped out of bed and went over to the giant glass window facing north. Immediately, I saw the Big Dipper clear as can be. I was amazed! There it was with all its bright stars twinkling in the dusk sky. I remember it perfectly. The Big Dipper’s spoon was pointed upward, while the handle was pointing downward. YHWH knew my thoughts and desires. I felt blessed that He showed me the Big Dipper. I thanked Him and then I went back to bed.
While lying there again, I thought, “Wouldn’t it be nice to see another constellation?” So I thought about asking the Father to show me yet another. Once again, I just went towards the window. Right in front of me, I saw the Little Dipper. The Little Dipper shined with its bright stars opposite the Big Dipper. The Little Dipper’s spoon was pointing downward while its handle pointed upward. To the right was the Big Dipper and to the left was the Little Dipper. Now without a doubt, I could make out the Aleph.
Then I remembered something important. The Aleph represents a “yoked team” between YHWH and Yahushua yoked together by the Set-Apart Spirit. It also means “El is One.” It was like YHWH was showing me Himself in the stars. I also knew that He was present with me. It was a very special moment. It was like He was saying, “I am in the heavens. Messiah is in the heavens. The Set-apart Spirit is in the heavens, and We are One!”
There is another constellation that is very close to the Aleph. What is that constellation? It’s in the shape of a dragon. The Dragon seems to be mocking and mimicking the Aleph. As the Aleph turns through the sky, it continues to circle itself like the spokes on a wheel. When it makes each turn, it “crushes” the Dragon next to it. The Aleph is constantly crushing the Dragon! I also spotted some stars near the Little Dipper. They may have been part of the Dragon. I don’t know for sure.
I was stirred after this moment and started to pace around. I thanked the Father a second time for what He showed me. Eventually, I crawled back into bed still feeling sick and thinking about what just happened. Since that night, I have been reminded of one thing: YHWH is truly the One who reveals the stars and the incredible story told in them!
