The Witness of the Stars

by E. W. Bullinger

This is the teaching of the Sign; and the first constellation takes up this thought and emphasises it.

1. THE BAND.

The Redeemed Bound, but binding their Enemy.

The band that unites these two fishes has always formed a separate constellation. It is shown in Plate XXI. The Arabian poems of Antarah frequently mention it as distinct from the Sign with which it is so closely connected. Antarah was an Arabian poet of the sixth century.

Its ancient Egyptian name was U-or, which means He cometh. Its Arabic name is Al Risha, the band, or bridle.

It speaks of the Coming One, not in His relation to Himself, or to His enemies, but in His relation to the Redeemed. It speaks of Him who says:

“I drew them with cords of a man,

With bands of love;

And I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws.”