5 Ways the Bible Points to Scientific Truths About Space
Sometimes, reading the Bible feels like opening a treasure chest of wisdom. One of the most surprising treasures? How Scripture—written thousands of years ago—contains insights about space that align with modern scientific discoveries.
While the Bible isn’t a science textbook, it does reveal truth. And when we see space science reflected in its pages, it reminds us: God, the Creator of the universe, also inspired His Word.
At Sparks of Sonshine, we’re all about equipping your kids to spot weeds of untruth, grow confident in their faith, and boldly stand up for what’s true. Let's dive into some exciting examples that point to our Creator.
Let’s explore five fascinating ways the Bible points to scientific truths about space, long before telescopes or space missions existed.
Did the Bible Get Space Science Right Before Science Did?
1. Earth Suspended in Space
📖 Bible Says
Job 26:7 “He spreads out the northern skies over empty space; he suspends the earth over nothing.”
This verse is from the book of Job, widely considered the oldest book in the Bible. In a time when most cultures believed the earth was physically held up by something—like a turtle, elephant, or massive pillars—Job presents a radically different view. It describes Earth as hanging in empty space, unsupported by any physical structure.
🔬 Science Insight
Today, we understand that Earth floats in the vacuum of space, held in its orbit by gravitational forces. It is not tethered to any structure or resting on any surface—a concept confirmed by astronomy and physics.
The idea of the Earth being "suspended over nothing" reflects our modern understanding of gravity. It’s remarkable that this verse was written long before Newton or Einstein explained how planets move and stay in place.
This verse is one of many that helps kids connect faith with real-world facts, ground truth in wonder, and gain confidence in God's Word.
2. The Earth is Round
📖 Bible Says
Isaiah 40:22 “He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy and spreads them out like a tent to live in.”
The Hebrew word translated as "circle" is chug, which suggests a round shape. While it doesn’t explicitly say “sphere” or “globe,” the term does indicate curvature, and it clearly moves away from the idea of a flat Earth.
🔬 Science Insight
Today, we know that the Earth is not flat but a sphere—a shape confirmed by satellite imagery, astronomy, and physics. The concept of a round Earth was not widely accepted until around the 3rd century BC with philosophers like Eratosthenes, and even then, many cultures clung to flat-Earth beliefs for centuries.
The Bible’s reference to the Earth as a circle provides a poetic yet surprisingly accurate glimpse of our planet’s shape, long before global circumnavigation or space photography proved it.
By showing kids that God’s Word pointed to Earth’s shape long before science caught up, we’re helping them build discernment, grow strong in their beliefs, and delight in God's design.
3. The Amount of Stars
📖 Bible Says
Jeremiah 33:22 “I will make the descendants of David as countless as the stars in the sky and as measureless as the sand on the seashore.”
In ancient times, people could only see a few thousand stars with the naked eye. Early astronomers tried to count them and often concluded that the number was limited—some estimates numbered only hundreds.
🔬 Science Insight
Modern astronomy has revealed a mind-boggling truth: our Milky Way galaxy alone contains an estimated 100 billion stars, and there are billions of galaxies beyond it. The number of stars in the universe is estimated at over 200 sextillion (that’s a 2 followed by 23 zeros).
The Bible’s comparison of stars to sand on the seashore, both of which are virtually uncountable, fits perfectly with what we now know. This verse shows that the authors of Scripture were inspired with a grand vision of the cosmos.
When kids explore these cosmic truths through engaging, God-honoring learning, they grow in gratitude, stretch in faith, and spark a love for truth.
4. The Expansion of the Universe
📖 Bible Says
Isaiah 40:22 again speaks of God stretching out the heavens like a canopy. Other verses echo this theme:
Psalm 104:2 “The Lord wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent.”
Zechariah 12:1 “The Lord, who stretches out the heavens, who lays the foundation of the earth, and who forms the human spirit within a person...”
The repeated phrase "stretches out the heavens" is rich in poetic imagery, but it also bears an uncanny resemblance to a modern scientific discovery.
🔬 Science Insight
In the 1920s, astronomer Edwin Hubble observed that distant galaxies are moving away from us—evidence that the universe is expanding. This concept is a cornerstone of modern cosmology and supports the Big Bang theory.
The Bible's language about God "stretching out" the heavens may be poetic, but it astonishingly mirrors what scientists later discovered about the dynamic, expanding nature of space.
We use discoveries like this to help kids marvel at God's majesty, anchor their faith in truth, and embrace learning with joy.
5. Every Star is Unique
📖 Bible Says
1 Corinthians 15:41 “The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor.”
In ancient times, it was common to think that all stars were the same. To the naked eye, they all looked like tiny dots of light, with little to distinguish one from another.
🔬 Science Insight
Modern astronomy shows that each star has unique characteristics: size, temperature, color, luminosity, and composition. Stars vary from small red dwarfs to massive blue giants, and no two are exactly alike.
This verse, written by the Apostle Paul in the first century, acknowledges that each star is different—a truth confirmed by detailed astrophysical observations made only in the past century.
These moments of discovery help your kids grow in confidence, build a strong biblical worldview, and delight in God's creativity.
Final Thoughts: Faith and Science in Harmony
These verses are not meant to be scientific equations, but they do reveal truths that align with what we now know about the cosmos. The Bible gives us glimpses of God's incredible design—and those glimpses are often more accurate than ancient human assumptions.
As Christians, we can find joy and confidence in knowing that faith and science are not at odds. The same God who created the stars also authored Scripture. He invites us to explore, discover, and marvel at the heavens.
At Sparks of Sonshine, we love helping kids (and parents!) see how God’s truth shines in both the Bible and the natural world. When kids realize that science and Scripture go hand in hand, their curiosity grows—along with their faith.
We’re here to support you in equipping your kids to spot untruths, stand up for God’s Word, and delight in learning, like this Space and the Bible Infographic, to help you remember these truths.
Ready to help your kids discover the wonder of God's universe?
Explore our hands-on, Bible-based science activities designed to help kids grow confident in their faith and curious about science and the God who designed it all!
