“I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; A Star shall come out of Jacob; A Scepter shall rise out of Israel, And batter the brow of Moab, And destroy all the sons of tumult.” –
Numbers 24:17
This prophecy was made by a very unlikely prophet called, Balaam. He was a prophet of God who was easily swayed by money – a prophet for hire. On this occasion though, Balaam was compelled to declare the word of the Lord against his wishes.Numbers 24:17
God showed Balaam something in the future. In the prophecy, Balaam mentions a star and a scepter.
Christ, our Star.
The oracle said, ‘I see him, but not now’. It shows that the ‘Star’ would be seen but not in the days of Balaam. A star is seen in the ‘heavens’; this indicates a person who would come from the ‘heavens’. At the birth of Christ, this prophecy was literally fulfilled. The wisemen saw a star in the heavens and knew that a king had been born.
Christ, our Scepter.
A scepter is a staff carried by rulers as a symbol of their authority. Balaam’s vision of a scepter coming out of Israel shows that the Messiah is also a ruler.
This prophecy reminds us of how God is able to overrule the schemes of men. Balaam’s greed could not overturn the blessing on God’s people. Neither could the political power and wealth of King Balak change the purposes of God for His people.
Balak marshalled very formidable forces of political power, wealth and influence of a corrupt prophet to curse God’s people and failed miserably. Similarly, the Lord will uphold His purposes for you against all manner of conspiracies.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, may the Star and Scepter of Christ overrule every evil conspiracy against Your purposes. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.Scripture Reading:
Numbers 24:15-19
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