Many of the ancients gave considerable study to the stars and believed them to have a very direct influence on the natures and affairs of individuals and nations. The Bible, too, refers to astrologers and soothsayers, indicating the prevalence of this custom of consulting the stars. To the shepherds, the stars in the empyrean were their only visible companions, aside from the sheep they cared for in the open spaces of the familiar hills and valleys.
The Jews, however, were early warned by their prophets against the practice of superstitious astrology, a doctrine purporting to foretell events and to control the destiny of men and of nations. These God-fearing patriarchs understood that a belief in any power other than that of the one God, who is able to control and guide the thoughts and affairs of mankind, leads men away from the worship of God, Spirit, into the worship of matter, with resulting confusion. For example, the venerable prophet Isaiah denounces idolatry in these words (Isa. 47:13,14): "Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee. Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them."
In the Gospel narrative of the nativity of Christ Jesus according to Matthew (2:1, 2), it is related, "Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying. Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him."
