God's Glory Church

“The star rises from Jacob, and the scepter rises from Israel.” — Numbers 24:17

William Shakespeare was a master of imagery. Actor Barry Craft skillfully uses this “trait” of the great playwright in his book “Shakespeare’s Image Generator”. The book contains various allusions and indirect reproaches found in Shakespeare’s plays. For example, instead of saying: “You are an arrogant scoundrel”, you can say: “Driven by excessive arrogance, you do strange things.”

Kraft’s book is written easily and with humor. But the ancient king of Moab tried to hire a secret prophet not for the sake of insults, but for the sake of cursing the people of Israel. “Go, curse this people for me,” said Balak to Balaam (Numbers 22:6). Instead, Balaam repeatedly blessed the Jewish people, which angered the king (Numbers 24:10). One of his blessings contained the prophecy: “I see him, but not now, I look at him, but he is not near” (Numbers 24:17). Certainly, the One whom he saw was not yet on earth. But who was Balaam talking about? The next line contains a clue: “A star rises from Jacob, and a scepter rises from Israel” (v. 17). Someday this “dawn” will lead the wise men to the promised Baby (Mt. 2:1-2).

An ancient Mesopotamian prophet, who knew nothing of the Messiah, pointed out to the world the future sign of His coming. A blessing sounded from the lips that were supposed to utter a curse.

How does your reading of Numbers help you see the Christmas story differently? How might it affect your interactions with people who oppose God’s cause?

God, please help me to see Your hand in all events.

Author: Tim Gustavson