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As a new member I'll briefly introduce myself. I'm a Gentile follower of Yeshua since 1954. As a retired professor from Michigan State U. I now live with my wife near our family in SE Wisconsin. I became intrigued by the current discussion of the star of Bethlehem and have been studying a new theory of this using modern astronomy software.
In doing some background reading on the life of Moses that parallels the Exodus account I ran across a statement that both Rashi and Josephus made concerning Pharaoh being warned of a coming Hebrew deliverer by his astrologers. This presumably led to the edict stating that all male newborns were to be killed. This led to my exploration of the Egyptian sky at a plausible time for the birth of Moses using the highly accurate software now available.
The results for me were startling. They revealed two remarkable planetary events in the time frame reported for Moses' birth about nine months apart. Furthermore these episodes seemed to parallel events many believe correspond to the conception and birth of Yeshua.
This raises a number of questions. For instance, how credible are Rashi and Josephus in this case? Overall, does the evidence support the conclusion that a "Moses Star" probably was used by G_d as a sign for all time? If so, what are the implications for evangelism, apologetics, etc.?
I have a paper that describes the above in more detail and will be happy to make it available. Is there a way to post material on this forum?
Tom Manetsch
Thomas~
I have a paper that describes the above in more detail and will be happy to make it available. Is there a way to post material on this forum?
Welcome to the forum!
In answer to your question, I don't think there is a way to post material on the board, but you can link webpages if you have it on the web.
How did you determine when Moses was born?
Welcome to the Forum!
In doing some background reading on the life of Moses that parallels the Exodus account I ran across a statement that both Rashi and Josephus made concerning Pharaoh being warned of a coming Hebrew deliverer by his astrologers. This presumably led to the edict stating that all male newborns were to be killed. This led to my exploration of the Egyptian sky at a plausible time for the birth of Moses using the highly accurate software now available.
Be careful of Rashi and Josephus. The prophecy of Bil'am (Numbers 24:17) may better explain HaMagen-Beitlechem, the Star of Bethelem.
Chow_Woman------you asked about the date used. I started with a commonly used date (per the NIV Study Bible) of 1526BC. Using that and the astronomy software, searching located the noteworthy planetary events mentioned above: one in 1522BC and the other about 9 months later in 1521BC.
Tom
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Praying for the shalom of Jerusalem.
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The results for me were startling. They revealed two remarkable planetary events in the time frame reported for Moses' birth about nine months apart. Furthermore these episodes seemed to parallel events many believe correspond to the conception and birth of Yeshua.
I have a question to which I would like to hear your response to... your answer will communicate something to me regarding your current endeavor.
How did the Kings from the East know about the birth of the Messiah? It's timing, location and what gifts to take?
shalom
Wow, that is something. Awesome that He just keeps bringing in confirmation from all walks of life. Blessings...
Prowler, Thanks for your question.----You asked about what led the Kings/WiseMen to the new born King. I believe that Prof. Rick Larson sheds considerable light on this in the recent work he has done on the star of Bethlehem. He produced the enlightening and inspirational DVD "The Star of Bethlehem" based on his search for planetary events that occurred in the right time frame and were also consistent with Matthew's account in the finest detail. He points out that there were remarkable planetary events in the Mideast sky in the constellation Leo (Lion, Yeshua the Lion of Judah) that led them to Judea looking for the newborn King. Matthew makes clear that these "Kings" were G_d worshippers and we surmise that they knew something of the OT scriptures, perhaps through Daniel and others who went into exile in Bablyon centuries earlier. There is much more to this than we can get into here but Larson's video is a valuable resource in understanding this better. (I can highly recomment this DVD (Amazon.com) and believe that this is the best, biblically consistent, explanation available for Messiah's star). As an aside I have seen many mature believers come away from a viewing of this intellectually satisfied and filled with praise and awe for a wondrous Creator who orchestrated such a thing.
We can also point out from Matthew's account that on at least one occasion G_d spoke to the Kings in a dream. It is certainly possible that He used this means earlier to guide their conclusions and timing.
Finally, I believe that Larson's work here is important to our discussion of a possible "Moses Star" since we see patterns in the earlier Egyptian sky that are similar to what Larson's explanation includes for the Bethlehem star.
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Praying for the shalom of Jerusalem.
The problem with The star of Jesus birth being planets etc....
is the star did not move at all it shine it light only on one place Jesus birth.
Planets never are still they are always moving so the light which the wisemen follow would of keep moving to different locations.
to put it simple is flashlight can be the star but if you move the star would not the light move?
I went to messanic jewish believer church and the pastor told me it not planets because the star only pointed to one place Jesus birth and that planets are never still they keep moving so the light would also.
The pastor (rabbi) said I believe it was some manifestation of God that shown them the way.
he said it could of been the angel of The LORD guideing them as a light or some angel.
Prowler, Thanks for your question.----You asked about what led the Kings/WiseMen to the new born King. I believe that Prof. Rick Larson sheds considerable light on this in the recent work he has done on the star of Bethlehem. He produced the enlightening and inspirational DVD "The Star of Bethlehem" based on his search for planetary events that occurred in the right time frame and were also consistent with Matthew's account in the finest detail. He points out that there were remarkable planetary events in the Mideast sky in the constellation Leo (Lion, Yeshua the Lion of Judah) that led them to Judea looking for the newborn King. Matthew makes clear that these "Kings" were G_d worshippers and we surmise that they knew something of the OT scriptures, perhaps through Daniel and others who went into exile in Bablyon centuries earlier. There is much more to this than we can get into here but Larson's video is a valuable resource in understanding this better. (I can highly recomment this DVD (Amazon.com) and believe that this is the best, biblically consistent, explanation available for Messiah's star). As an aside I have seen many mature believers come away from a viewing of this intellectually satisfied and filled with praise and awe for a wondrous Creator who orchestrated such a thing.
We can also point out from Matthew's account that on at least one occasion G_d spoke to the Kings in a dream. It is certainly possible that He used this means earlier to guide their conclusions and timing.
Finally, I believe that Larson's work here is important to our discussion of a possible "Moses Star" since we see patterns in the earlier Egyptian sky that are similar to what Larson's explanation includes for the Bethlehem star.
*****************
Praying for the shalom of Jerusalem.
Thanks for answering.
Would you consider the following text... I am not saying creation does not point to G-d but creation communicates a very general revelation and the Kings from the East had some specifics. Anyway you may be richer after reading the following text...