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Devotional by Thomas A. Tarrants.

Image: The Ketef Hinnom scrolls contain text from the priestly blessing found in the biblical book of Numbers. They were inscribed in silver around 600 BC. Inscriptions have also been found at Deir’ Alla that include oracles of Balaam, son of Beor. They date to several centuries earlier.

This brief prophecy gives important insight about the Messiah. It predicts a star and scepter, symbols of royalty, coming out of Jacob that will crush Israel’s enemies. The rabbis understood this as applying to the Messiah, as have many Christians since. But its human source and circumstances have raised many questions.

Surprisingly, God gave the prophecy through Balaam, son of Beor, a pagan prophet of some fame, who lived near the Euphrates River. He was summoned by Balak, king of Moab, to curse the Israelites, who had gathered in the Jordan River valley in preparation for the conquest of Canaan. God forbade him to curse Israel and caused him to give prophetic blessings instead. Balak was furious and refused to reward Balaam for his services. But Balaam devised another plan to get his reward. He advised Balak to seduce the Israelite men with Moabite women, which brought God’s wrath on Israel. That’s why he is universally condemned in the Bible as a false prophet who was motivated by selfish gain.

We cannot say why God would use such a shady character to deliver a prophetic message. Nor why He would use a grossly immoral character like Samson. Or a thief and traitor like Judas. But He did. He is sovereign and His ways are past understanding by mere mortals.

What we can say is that God was faithful to His prophetic word. Our part is to trust and obey as He works out His plans. Fourteen hundred years later, His Son, Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was born. And when His star rose in the heavens it signaled the first coming of the king of the Jews. We now await His second advent with confidence and hope!