For years, Aylattes, the Lydian king, had waged war against the Medes, led by King Cyaxares.

Fueled in part by a desire for revenge (one of Cyaxares’ sons was killed; he held the Medes personally responsible) and partly because both kings wanted control of Anatolia — what is now Turkey — the war dragged on with both sides so evenly matched that neither had a clear advantage.

Thales of Miletus, one of the “Seven Sages of Greece,” had a vested interest in keeping Anatolia from suffering under constant fighting. Thales was a learned mathematician, astronomer and engineer, among other things. He applied what he knew of heavenly objects and — according to the ancient historian Herodotus — became the first person to predict a solar eclipse.

On May 28, 585 B.C., the eclipse Thales predicted took place while the Medes and Lydians fought. Though history is unclear whether Thales was present, both armies took the eclipse as a sign and immediately ended the war.

Thales was no soldier. He was neither fighter nor mercenary. But using what he observed in the heavens, he was able to find a reason to end the hostilities.

May we do the same. Our faith in God enriches us with heavenly experiences.

All He asks is that we represent Him on earth — that we act with justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with Him.