Nestled on a shelf in my office is a model of an ancient Hawaiian double-hulled canoe. It is a replica of the canoe that was built in the 1970’s-the Hokule’a. It was gifted to my father, a dentist, by his patient, who was a member of the original crew. Before my father passed away, he gave it to me and I proudly recount the epic story to all the visitors to my office.
The Hokule’a is an important part of Polynesian and hence, Hawaiian history. For years, historians questioned whether the ancient Polynesians were able to successfully navigate the Pacific ocean without modern equipment. Meticulously researching the ancient ship building and navigation techniques of the Polynesians, the crew of the Hokule’a built an exact recreation of the ancient canoe, using the same materials.
Hokule’a is translated from the Hawaiian language as “Star of Gladness or Joy.” It refers to Arcturus, the brightest star in the constellation Bootes. Many ancient peoples, including the Polynesians, navigated the ocean by following this star. Thousands of years ago, it led them from Tahiti to the big island of Hawaii. The modern-day Hokule’a recreated the same journey in 1976, navigating by the same star, proving the ancient Polynesians had successfully accomplished this same feat over five hundred years earlier.
Following the stars.
It seems that man has been following stars to guide them to their destiny for thousands of years! When we are searching for revelation, when we are searching for the answers to life, when we are searching for the Truth, we often look to the heavens.
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the expanse proclaims the work of his hands. Day after day they pour out speech; night after night they communicate knowledge. There is no speech; there are no words; their voice is not heard. Their message has gone out to the whole earth, and their words to the ends of the world.
Psalms 19:1-4 (CSB)
A special star led the wise men to Jesus Christ in Bethlehem. Is it any wonder that Jesus Christ is the bright morning star? Jesus Christ is our Hokule’a!
…I am the Root and descendant of David, the bright morning star.
Revelation 22:16 (CSB)
Praise God!
Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.
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