- Series:Archaeology, Astronomy, History, Transcript English
Genesis 4:21
“And his brother’s name [was] Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.”
According to the Bible’s history, humans are – by nature, not by evolution – clever and inventive. In Genesis 4 we read that Jubal, of the eighth generation after Adam, was a master musician. His brother, Tubal Cain, was an instructor in metallurgy. Clearly these people were not any less intelligent than we are and, considering what they did, perhaps in some ways they were even 
smarter than we are.
Now and again evidence of high human intelligence and creativity in ancient times is uncovered by science. In one such instance, a formless lump was discovered in 1900 among some art objects at the site of an ancient shipwreck. As the lump dried out, it split open to reveal bronze plates, gears and engraved scales with first century BC Greek lettering. It took a great deal of study to assemble the parts into a working device.
What was this strange object? It turned out to be a computing machine which, when the appropriate dials were set, computed the motions of the moon, sun and probably the planets as well. In doing this, the computer used a very accurate Babylonian mathematical method that is not yet fully understood. But following the instructions on the plates and dials, this first century BC computer will give accurate information on astronomical events for any time period!
This fascinating computer is exactly the sort of thing one would expect from human beings at any point in their history because God has given us the gift of intelligence, curiosity and creativity!
Prayer:
Dear Lord, I thank You for the gift of curiosity and intelligence. Help me to use that gift to Your glory. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Notes:
Photo: Antikythera device, Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 License.
