You're familiar with "Taurus the bull," but the constellation Taurus was not based on your normal everyday bull.
The extinct reem was the model for Taurus. Reem comes from a verb meaning to rise or to be lifted up. In other words, it was named for its conspicuousness. Larger than today's cattle, its horns were doubly curved. It was extremely strong, and—most importantly—it was wild.
The reem may have had horns like the ones in this photo, but it would never have had a cord hanging from its neck. God used it as an example of His great works when He spoke to Job: "Will the reem be willing to serve you?" Job 29:9-12.
This cave painting of the auroch gives a better idea.
The untamed reem is a fitting model for this constellation that represents the Lord. ("He's not a tame lion," C. S. Lewis reminds us in The Chronicles of Narnia.) God is to be feared, not put in a box or dressed in a Santa suit.
The reem shows God's power—the terrible signs—when He brought Israel out of Egypt (Numbers 23:22, 24:8). It tells of His power to push the nations to the ends of the earth (Deuteronomy 33:17). And it speaks of the strength of the Anointed One (Psalm 92:10-11).
Taurus, the constellation and the animal, have been objects of worship since the beginning of paganism. Many gods were represented by the bull. But the idea that all religions will lead to the same end is just a lot of bull.
"I am the LORD your God. You shall have no other gods before Me." Exodus 20:1-6.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
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