Matariki - Pleiades

The seven stars of Matariki-Pleiades are spoken of in the Bible, by the very ancient ancestor, Hopa- Job (pronounced Jobe). He lived approximately 4000 years ago, a long time before these islands we live in were inhabited by our tupuna-forefathers. Job wondered why God was allowing him to go through great trials and troubles. Was not God all wise? Was not God all-mighty enough to put Matariki-Pleiades in the heavens – so why didn’t he help him out now that he is in pain, suffering, and despair?

That’s a question that often causes us to doubt that God knows, or can help, or cares for us enough to help.

When troubles first came, Job said “Naked came I from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, the LORD takes away, blessed be the name of the LORD” (Job 1:20). Job trusted God and what was happening and did not sin.

However, Job’s friends, his comforters, told him, “Where there is trouble, there must be sin” - Job, you must have sinned big-time for God to give such trouble. But they were wrong. Job had not sinned. The troubles were for a purpose Job knew nothing of. Job’s trials were ‘a trial of display’ - to display to Satan, that people like Job, and you and me, can love God and trust God, no matter what.

But as time went on, and Job’s friends got to him. Job started to complain to God that if he could just have a long korero- talk with God, then the troubles would go. Job’s ‘reactions’ to trouble led him to accuse God of being unjust and ignorant. Now this was sin – and don’t we do that too when we are in troubles?

The LORD God finally answered Job - “Where were you when I put Matariki -Pleiades in place in its precise and perfect seasonal orbit? The LORD God of all is saying, ‘I am the God of power, wisdom, and order, can’t you trust me?”.

The third time we read in Scripture of Matariki-Pleiades is through the prophet Amos (Amoho) – The LORD God says “Seek me and live”. And we might say why should we seek you Lord? And the Lord says I am the living God, the caring God, the all- powerful God – just look at Matariki-Pleiades – it is a witness to an almighty God – a Creator God, that speaks to us through the symbols of the stars, that He cares, is in control, and has the power to give us life.

We wonder at the beauty of Matariki-Pleiades, at this time of the year.

The songwriter Ralph Carmichael put it this way:

“In the stars His handiwork I see,

On the winds He speaks with majesty,

Though He rules over land and sea;

What is that to me?

I will celebrate Nativity’

But we could sing – I will celebrate “Matariki”

But the song goes on:

“Till one day I met Him face to face,

And I sought the wonder of His grace,

Then I knew that He was more than just a

God who didn’t care,

That lived a way up there; And

Now He walks beside me day by day

Ever watching over me lest I stray

Helping me to find the narrow way,

He’s everything to me.

There is a better revelation of God to us than Matariki-Pleiades and the stars. It is personal, close to us, even in our hearts. It is Jesus Christ, creator of all the stars, who has come into our world, revealed Himself to us and God to us. He has told us of our need, that as sinners we are separated from a holy God. Jesus died at the Cross of Calvary to make the only way of forgiveness and receive Him as our personal Saviour. We can have peace with God, fellowship with this amazing God of power, wisdom, love.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only

begotten Son that whosever believes in Him should

not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

Amos said to us – “Seek the Lord and live”- the same Lord of Matariki. This can be the time for you put your faith in Jesus, thank Him for dying and paying the penalty for your sin, receive Him as your Saviour, obey Him as your Lord, and live.

In Christ, may you have a blessed Matariki-Pleiades.