Serpens Cauda, Serpens Caput

 The constellation Serpens has two parts: Serpens Cauda, or serpent's tail, and Serpens Caput, serpent's head. Between them is Ophiuchus, the serpent holder (last week's blog).

Serpens' old Hebrew name is Alyah, the accursed. Theta Serpentis still goes by that name. Alpha Serpentis is named Unukalhai, the encompassing reptile, with the sense of encircling as a necklace or chain.

The accursed one's influence is all around. As one Psalmist wrote, "the iniquity at my heels surrounds me," Psalm 49:5.

It shows up like this:
1. "Sure, God says unfaithfulness in marriage is wrong, but isn't that just a general principle? With a spouse like you have, it's a different case."

2. "God understands what you're suffering. He won't punish you for this little bit of cheating."

3. "God could end all the wars and suffering if He really wanted to. He just wants to keep people down."

To No. 1, God's word says,
"Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;
Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness;
Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" Isaiah 5:20

To No. 2, it answers,
"For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all." James 2:10

As to No. 3, we read,
"And the LORD commanded us to observe all these statues, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that He might preserve us alive, as it is this day." Deuteronomy 6:24

The serpent's insinuations against God show the serpent's true character: "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy," Jesus said. "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." John 10:10