Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Numbers 24:17-19 "I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel. He will crush the foreheads of Moab, the skulls of all the sons of Sheth. Edom will be conquered; Seir, his enemy, will be conquered, but Israel will grow strong. A ruler will come out of Jacob and destroy the survivors of the city."
REDEEMER KING: FORETOLD (2)
When we look up at the night sky and see the stars, they appear tiny, but only because they are so very far away. In reality they are large exploding spheres of hydrogen and other gases, some of them even many times larger than the sun. When we think of stars we think of power and brightness--brilliant lights for the night.
When we think of kings in the earth, we think of crowns, thrones, and scepters. The scepter is a long staff held by a ruler as a sign of authority.
The fourth oracle of the reluctant prophet Balaam is recorded in Numbers 24 and tells of the Messiah who was to come. Jesus is described as both a Star and a Scepter coming from the descendants of Jacob. As Star, the Christ would be the Light of the World, shining in sin's darkness with the bright beams of forgiveness and peace. As Scepter, He would rule forever--even as He rules over us today in His grace and mercy.
Furthermore, Jesus as Star and Scepter is a mighty conquerer, crushing His enemies beneath His feet. In the days when this prophecy was first uttered, the enemies of God and of His Christ were the nations of Moab and Edom who were then subdued by the Lord's faithful servant King David. But we are especially reminded that not only these nations but ALL Jesus' enemies (and ours) lie defeated before Him! Even that last enemy--death itself (1 Corinthians 15:56).
How lovely shines the Morning Star!
The nations see and hail afar
The light in Judah shining.
Thou David's Son of Jacob's race,
My Bridegroom and my King of Grace,
For Thee my heart is pining.
Lowly, Holy,
Great and glorious, Thou victorious
Prince of graces,
Filling all the heavenly places.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 343:1)
