We found the first
constellation Virgo could represent
the virgin giving birth to ‘The Branch’ or corn of wheat – our Lord Jesus
Christ come to “save His people from their sins”.
So the next in the Mazzaroth is Libra –
that’s the scales of justice isn’t it? |
| Align top to west |
Yes, libra is Latin for ‘scales’ and was the
name given to the Roman pound weight, hence the abbreviation ‘lb’ we still use
today.
That’s all very well but it seems a bit hard to
find.
Libra lies between white star
Spica in Virgo and red star Antares
in Scorpio.
Apparently this constellation was recognised as ‘the scales’ way back in Babylonian days but then it became confused with nearby Scorpio so we have:
Zubenelgenubi, meaning ‘southern claw’, the bright binary star lying right on the ecliptic line and atop the scales, and…
Zubeneschamali, meaning ‘northern claw’, sitting on the left-hand end of the beam. A fainter star on the base is Zuben Akrabi or Acrab, meaning ‘scorpion’.
So does Libra continue the redemption story?
Yes, redemption requires a fair price be paid and the apostle Peter tells us what that price was:
So there was an attempt to remove the scales of justice, hey?...using the scorpion’s pincers!
Do the scales have any connection with Jacob’s family?
Sure. Dan means ‘judge’.
So which constellations nearby have been associated with Libra?
· The Crux or Southern Cross
· Lupus (Latin for wolf) – the slain victim
· Corona Borealis – the crown
Well I can see a connection there – the slain Redeemer will be nailed to a cross and wear a crown of thorns instead of being crowned King of Israel, shedding His blood to pay the price demanded by God’s justice.
Zubenelgenubi, meaning ‘southern claw’, the bright binary star lying right on the ecliptic line and atop the scales, and…
Zubeneschamali, meaning ‘northern claw’, sitting on the left-hand end of the beam. A fainter star on the base is Zuben Akrabi or Acrab, meaning ‘scorpion’.
So does Libra continue the redemption story?
Yes, redemption requires a fair price be paid and the apostle Peter tells us what that price was:
“…ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver or gold…but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:” (1 Peter 1:18-19)
The Saviour born of a virgin must pay the price - blood must flow - to satisfy God’s holy demands of justice.
So there was an attempt to remove the scales of justice, hey?...using the scorpion’s pincers! Do the scales have any connection with Jacob’s family?
Sure. Dan means ‘judge’.
So which constellations nearby have been associated with Libra?
· Corona Borealis – the crown
Well I can see a connection there – the slain Redeemer will be nailed to a cross and wear a crown of thorns instead of being crowned King of Israel, shedding His blood to pay the price demanded by God’s justice.
There’s something for you to research further while we move on to…
Scorpio next.
Image credit: Stellarium
Photo credit: emergent_culture.com
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