Numbers 24:15-25 NKJV
15 So he took up his oracle and said:
“The utterance of Balaam the son of Beor,
And the utterance of the man whose eyes are opened;
16 The utterance of him who hears the words of God,
And has the knowledge of the Most High,
Who sees the vision of the Almighty,
Who falls down, with eyes wide open:
17 “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.
18 “And Edom shall be a possession;
Seir also, his enemies, shall be a possession,
While Israel does valiantly.
19 Out of Jacob One shall have dominion,
And destroy the remains of the city.”
20 Then he looked on Amalek, and he took up his oracle and said:
“Amalek was first among the nations,
But shall be last until he perishes.”
21 Then he looked on the Kenites, and he took up his oracle and said:
“Firm is your dwelling place,
And your nest is set in the rock;
22 Nevertheless Kain shall be burned.
How long until Asshur carries you away captive?”
23 Then he took up his oracle and said:
“Alas! Who shall live when God does this?
24 But ships shall come from the coasts of Cyprus,
And they shall afflict Asshur and afflict Eber,
And so shall Amalek, until he perishes.”
25 So Balaam rose and departed and returned to his place; Balak also went his way.
Balak had asked Balaam for his first three prophecies, although he didn’t get the curses he was looking for. But Balaam’s fourth and final prophecy was not prompted by Balak, but by the Spirit of God Himself, who had a key Messianic prophecy to speak through the mouth of this wicked prophet.
“I see Him, but not now; I behold Him but not near.” The Spirit makes clear that this oracle is not about the nation of Israel as it was about to enter Canaan, but about a time in the future, and about a particular Person who would come.
“A Star shall come out of Jacob; a Scepter shall rise out of Israel.” It may have been this verse from the book of Numbers that led the Magi to the land of Israel at the birth of Christ, although both the Star and the Scepter point more to the Messiah Himself than to an object in the sky. He is a “Star,” a prominent Person who shines brightly because of His character and because of His identity as the Son of God. He is also a “Scepter,” a Ruler of rulers, a King of kings, who will come out of Israel one day.
“…and batter the brow of Moab, and destroy all the sons of Sheth.” Since the prophecy is about the distant future, the references in this verse to Moab, the sons of Sheth, Seir, Edom, Amalek, etc., are symbolic of all the future enemies of Israel, who will all be destroyed by the Messiah. Even “Israel” here is symbolic of the New Testament Church, made up of believers in Christ from Israel and from all the nations. The Messiah will “have dominion,” and His people will prosper, referring to His hidden reign now at the right hand of God for the good of His Church, and to the glorious consummation of His reign, including the destruction of all His enemies on the Last Day.
This prophecy, among others, portrayed the coming Christ as a victorious King, reigning on behalf of Israel, and Israel needed to hear such prophecies. But by focusing too much on these prophecies while ignoring the ones that spoke of His humility, suffering, and sacrifice for sin, many in Israel failed to recognize Jesus as the Christ. By God’s grace, let us keep both the hidden and the glorious reign of Christ in view, that we may acknowledge and serve Him as our King, the Bright and Morning Star! (cf. Rev. 22:16). Let us pray: Reign on our behalf, Lord Jesus, that Your Church may share in Your victory over all her enemies. Amen.