Numbers 24:15-25 – The Future
The office of prophet was both to bless and to prophesy in the name of the Lord. Balaam, as a prophet, has blessed Israel; here he foretells future events. God permits and directs him, so whatever kind of person Balaam is, the prophecy itself is a true prophecy. A man may be full of the knowledge of God and yet utterly lacking in the grace of God. Balaam calls God the Most High, and the Almighty; no man could speak more honourably of Him, and yet he has no true fear of God, love for God, or faith in God.
Balaam prophesies concerning him that will be the crown and glory of his people Israel. This refers to David, who not now, not quickly, but in time, will crush the corners of Moab and under whom the forces of Israel shall do valiantly. But, this prophecy mainly refers to our Lord Jesus, the promised Messiah. He shall come out of Jacob, and Israel, as a star and a sceptre, the star symbolising His glory, and the sceptre His power and authority; it is He that shall have dominion. Perhaps this prophecy of Balaam (one of the children of the east) concerning a star that will arise out of Jacob, showing a sceptre arising in Israel, gave the wise men, who were of the east too, upon the sight of an unusual star over the land of Judea, reason to ask for Him that was born king of the Jews. Christ’s kingdom shall be universal, and victorious over all opposition. Christ shall be king, not only of Jacob and Israel, but of all the world. His Israel shall do valiantly; the people of Christ, enabled by His strength, shall fight a spiritual war with the powers of darkness, and be more than conquerors. This is a prophecy that looks as far forward as the Greeks and Romans, for that is what is meant by the ships from Kittim. Balaam, instead of cursing the church, curses Amalek the first, and Rome the last, enemy of the church.
Question
- To whom does Balaam’s prophecy refer?
- Who is in control of the rise and fall of kingdoms?
Prayer Points
- Pray for Christians being persecuted in other countries.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.