I know one study I read said the animals we were representative of like leadership (Lion king of the jungle, Eagle king of the air, Ox king of the fields, Man king of them all) and even those were bowing to God. Though I think now that I'm older and understand literature and symbolism more, there's nothing saying a symbol can't contain multiple meanings. I like this idea of cosmic symbolism with them.
In fact it goes back to something I heard once: when were angels made? Sure there's a lot who say it was the first day of creation but.... notice how the 6 days of creation have a divided pattern to them. A pattern that matches the first command God gave to man. ("Put the world in order and fill it with life.") Days 1-3 are putting things in order. Days 4-6 are filling it with life.
Wait... that doesn't seem to fit does it? Day 4 is the creation of the sun, moon and stars. Ah but if you know your symbolism, that can also mean... angels! And yes there are apparently some fathers of the church who argued thus that day 4 is when angels were made.
I don't know for certain, but it is an interesting tidbit to add to this post.
Thanks for sharing this. I find such speculation fascinating and occasionally rather illuminating regarding things God is saying to me. He speaks in many ways and often through systems He has already established, including the heavens. It's a tough call to find that line between astrology and the way the Lord uses the "signs and seasons" He has made, but I'm willing to wade through those faith waters and listen for the Holy Spirit's guidance on it. Hearing different ways people have interpreted things helps expand my "vocabulary". :-)
I know one study I read said the animals we were representative of like leadership (Lion king of the jungle, Eagle king of the air, Ox king of the fields, Man king of them all) and even those were bowing to God. Though I think now that I'm older and understand literature and symbolism more, there's nothing saying a symbol can't contain multiple meanings. I like this idea of cosmic symbolism with them.
In fact it goes back to something I heard once: when were angels made? Sure there's a lot who say it was the first day of creation but.... notice how the 6 days of creation have a divided pattern to them. A pattern that matches the first command God gave to man. ("Put the world in order and fill it with life.") Days 1-3 are putting things in order. Days 4-6 are filling it with life.
Wait... that doesn't seem to fit does it? Day 4 is the creation of the sun, moon and stars. Ah but if you know your symbolism, that can also mean... angels! And yes there are apparently some fathers of the church who argued thus that day 4 is when angels were made.
I don't know for certain, but it is an interesting tidbit to add to this post.
All fascinating and intriguing speculation.
In Asian myth and folklore four cardinal creatures come up...
It's interesting how many things biblical have some distortion or echo in the tales of the nations.
There are those who see these things as a sign of falsity, but really they're confirmation of our faith.
There's proof for those willing to see.
Yes!
Completely agree.
Thanks for sharing this. I find such speculation fascinating and occasionally rather illuminating regarding things God is saying to me. He speaks in many ways and often through systems He has already established, including the heavens. It's a tough call to find that line between astrology and the way the Lord uses the "signs and seasons" He has made, but I'm willing to wade through those faith waters and listen for the Holy Spirit's guidance on it. Hearing different ways people have interpreted things helps expand my "vocabulary". :-)
I've heard that the ancient Hebrews use these symbols as signs come and not as omens.