Its seldom that the regular news broadcasts on SABC television come up with something exciting, but they certainly did on 23rd May this year.
The planned new SKA (Square Kilometre Array) telescope is to have 70% of its location in South Africa. That sounded like good news to me, even if I didnt have the faintest idea what such a telescope was all about. A little reading revealed that this telescope does not see using light, but monitors radio waves. Apparently, astronomers can generate accurate pictures built up from radio waves which have been travelling through space since the birth of the universe. So they will actually be able to get a picture that was created at the beginning of time. The expectation is that this telescope will boost our knowledge both of origins and the future as never before.
Humans have been searching for this kind of knowledge as far back into history as can be traced. Philosophers have reasoned, discussed and pondered the human condition. Archaeologists have dug deep into the ruins of ancient cities to find some clue as to how the ancients lived. Palaeontologists have excavated bones and fossils of all kinds to probe the origins of life, while astronomers have searched far into space hoping to find some evidence of life on other planets. We have, it seems, an insatiable thirst to know how we got here, why we are here, and where we are going. Could it be that our Creator has given us this thirst for know-ledge and understanding?
We are told in the first chapter of Genesis that we were created in the image of God; we are personal, moral and rational beings; we possess the capacity to think, talk, plan and create; we were made to have a relationship with our Creator. God talked with Adam, giving him the opportunity to name all the animals, providing him with food, and best of all, giving him a beautiful wife. No doubt that initial relationship between God and man could have continued to grow and develop had not Adam and Eve decided to do their own (Satans ) thing. And so they blew it for the entire human race.
But Jesus, as the second Adam has already paid the price for our complete redemption and for the full restoration of the relationship between God and man. He has opened the door to spiritual understanding, and even now, we can have an intimate relationship with God as the Holy Spirit dwells in us. As we read in 1 Corinthians 2:9,10, No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him, but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. And when we gain that spiritual wisdom, we will be astounded at Gods mercy, his greatness and his immeasurable love for humanity.
But we have never lost the desire to understand these most basic physical questions. No wonder we are searching so determinedly for answers.
What would David have said?
David was king of Israel about 1000 years BC, and one of those who was called to a special relationship with God. He looked up at the starry sky and uttered those famous words from Psalm 8: When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers…what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? What would he have said if he could have looked through a powerful telescope? He would probably have been speechless with awe.
Do we give God all the glory when we behold the wonders of creation, or do we pat ourselves on the back, thinking how clever we are to have discovered these things?
But what will we find as we search the universe? No doubt we shall discover some intriguing knowledge, and no doubt this project will boost our economy, providing employment for many people. But will we find the answers we are looking for? Though we have this craving for knowledge and understanding, God tells us his judgments are unsearchable, and his ways past finding out (Romans 11:33). Wouldnt we just love to have a one on one conversation with God?
The young King Solomon in his God-given wisdom, asked, But will God really dwell on earth with men? The heavens, even the highest heavens cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built! (2 Chronicles 6:18).
But God has revealed through Jesus Christ that he will indeed dwell with his human creation. I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people and God himself will be with them, and be their God (Revelation 21:3).
Perhaps thats when we will find all the answers weve been searching for.