Daily Devotional – December 17

History

It seems very counterintuitive that if I throw a stick it would return to me, but that is exactly what a boomerang does. When the English arrived in Australia, they noticed that the Aborigines had several types of throwing sticks - some of which returned while others did not. It was not until 1822 that this fascinating device was described and given an English name: the boomerang.

How does a boomerang return to its thrower? The boomerang’s arms are curved on the top and flat on the bottom - creating an airfoil. As the boomerang moves through the air, its wings create lift, just like an airplane. As it spins, the edge of the forward spinning wing creates more lift than the opposite arm. This causes the boomerang to tip, resulting in a principle known as gyroscopic precession. This uneven lift causes a constant turning pressure that then causes the boomerang to return to its thrower.

The boomerang is not some primitive object made by some primitive man, but it was made by an intelligent person capable of using sophisticated aerodynamic principles. Boomerangs are a testimony of mankind’s brilliance from the moment of creation.

For enquire, I pray thee, of the former age, and prepare thyself to the search of their fathers: (For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, because our days upon earth are a shadow:) Shall not they teach thee, and tell thee, and utter words out of their heart?

~ Job 8:8-10

Source: "Pearls in Paradise" by authors Bruce Malone and Jule Von Vett