A Scepter Rules

Read Numbers 24
 
Numbers 24:17 “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.”
 
THE LORD God has turned Balaam’s mission to curse Israel into Israel’s blessing. The angry Balak, who repeatedly enticed and tempted Balaam to curse the Hebrew camp, now returns home, defeated by God’s authority. In each rejection of Balak’s bribery in Numbers 22-24, Balaam affirmed God’s Word as his foundation for action: Numbers 24:13 “Even if Balak gave me his palace filled with silver and gold, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the Lord — and I must say only what the Lord says'?”
    Then read what the LORD revealed to Balaam. In four prophecies in this chapter, Balaam spoke Israel’s enemies’ defeat. And he also proclaimed an eternal victory: Numbers 24:17 “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.”
    Commentators differ on the prophecy’s ultimate meaning, but they all know it refers to a king out of Israel who will rule the nations. Some believe it relates to David, who conquered Israel’s enemies and established peace in the region. Some point to David, then go farther into the future to Jesus Christ. Remember the wise men who came to Jesus at Bethlehem were from the East. This was a region where Moab and Babylon were located. Balaam’s prophecy may be one reason they came to Jerusalem to ask, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:2)
    What we know for certain is God used the pagan priest to declare a ruler from Israel who would arise to defeat God’s enemies. We have seen this in King David, and we see it today in King Jesus, who daily defeats sin’s opposition. Even more, we will one day see it when the King’s scepter will eternally rule.
 
Revelation 19:15 Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 
 
I hope this brief, three-lesson look at Balaam’s story has helped you see again how God works to defend and strengthen his church today. We must remember his scepter is sure and true for our lives now and forever.