Today, the question under which we write needs to be answered! Facts, no “leap in the dark,” will do here, as those who are known as, “the Millennials,” who were born between the years of 1981 – 2000, need to hear and read true scientific answers! These scientific answers need to be coupled with biblical proofs! Not being the most learned scientific person, I generally like to keep it simple. That is not to say, that with a little “deep” study, that I cannot go “deep in the well” to get information and to write about such.
One of the things I like to do is look up at the stars at night. I can remember as a young boy, 8-10, looking at the stars. It does seem that I could see more stars then, than now. However, before the seafarers headed out into the far seas, the unknown waters, they kept close to the land. This was the first navigation, as it followed landmarks. It might be a large rock near the coastline, or they might use other things along the sea-land areas.
As the sea farers determined to venture out beyond the coastline and into the unknown waters of the deep; they needed other means of navigating. But what would it be? It was here that the North Star became so important. You might think the most famous star in the night sky is the brightest, but it isn’t. It is but about the 50th brightest! It sits almost directly above the North Pole; therefore, it is a very reliable gauge of North. Question: “How did the North Star find its way nearly above the North Pole?” Did it, with all the other thousand upon thousands of stars, just one day appear in the heavens so navigators could use it? Or does it fit within the words of which Moses wrote: “And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so” (Gen. 1:14-15). Speak if thou hasn’t understanding!
One of the questions that comes to mind, just here, is how do you locate the North Star (Polaris)? Here is the answer; all you must do is find the Big Dipper pointer stars, Dubhe and Merak. These two stars outline the outer part of the Big Dipper’s bowl. Then, draw a line from Merak through Dubhe (as seen below), and just continue this line and it will take you right to the North Star. Did it just happen this way, or did God make it this way, knowing that navigators would need it?
You can measure latitude where you are:
1. Use a string and weight (plumb line) to put a vertical stick in the ground (A in drawing);
2. Align a second vertical stick with the first stick and the North Star (B in drawing);
3. Use your thumb to sight down stick “B” until the North Star is aligned with the top of stick “A;”
4. Mark the spot (C in the drawing) and stretch the string between “A” and “C,” and then, back to stick “A” in a level line (As seen in the drawing);
5. Measure the angle – that’s the degree of latitude (not to be confused with longitude).
6. The two stars, Merak and Dubhe, outline the outer part of the Big Dipper’s bowl. Thus, all you must do is draw a line from Merak through Dubhe, and just continue this line and it will take you right to the North Star. Thus, if you have trouble seeing the North Star, here is a way to locate it! Was it God or did it just happen? No “leap in the dark” here!
So, what is this all about? It is about the words of the Psalm: “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork” (Psa. 19:1). These simple words reveal the perfections of God, and that God is; God does exist! Therefore, look up into the heavens and believe! The heavens are scientific!
Frank R. Williams