“I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.”
Context: The book of Numbers is the fourth book of the Bible and contains an account of the Israelites’ journey from Mount Sinai to the borders of the Promised Land. In this particular chapter, Balaam, a pagan prophet, is asked by Balak, the king of Moab, to curse the Israelites. However, when Balaam tries to curse them, he is compelled by God to bless them instead.
Explanation:
- “I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh”: This verse refers to a future event when Balaam foresees the coming of a significant figure. The language suggests that this individual is not immediately present but will be seen and observed in the future.
- “There shall come a Star out of Jacob”: Here, Balaam prophesies the coming of a unique and notable figure associated with the nation of Israel, symbolized by a star. This prophecy finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who was born in the lineage of Jacob (Matthew 1:2) and referred to as the “bright Morning Star” in Revelation 22:16.
- “A Sceptre shall rise out of Israel”: A scepter is a symbol of authority and kingship. This part of the prophecy foretells the rise of a ruler from Israel who will possess great authority and power. It is also a messianic reference pointing to Jesus Christ, who is the King of kings and the ultimate fulfillment of this prophecy (Matthew 2:2, Luke 1:31-33).
- “Shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth”: The corners of Moab represent the territories or strongholds of Moab, and the phrase “children of Sheth” is understood as a reference to the descendants of Seth, a son of Adam and Eve. This part of the prophecy suggests that the coming ruler will have power and authority over the enemies of Israel, including Moab. It signifies the ultimate victory of God’s people through the Messiah.
Application:
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- Fulfillment in Jesus Christ: As Christians, we believe that this prophecy finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He was born from the lineage of Jacob and holds the authority and kingship represented by the scepter. Jesus came to offer salvation, not only to Israel but to all people, fulfilling the promise made to Abraham that through his offspring, all nations would be blessed (Genesis 12:3, Galatians 3:16).
- Jesus as the Light of the World: The reference to the Star emphasizes the significance of Jesus’ birth and the light He brings into the world. Jesus Himself declared, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). This reminds us of the hope and guidance we find in Jesus, who leads us out of darkness and into the light.
- Victory over enemies: The prophecy suggests that the coming ruler would have authority over the enemies of God’s people. In Jesus, we find victory over sin, death, and the powers of darkness. As believers, we can take comfort in the fact that Jesus has conquered all our enemies and through Him, we are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37).
- The faithfulness of God’s promises: This prophecy is just one example of how God faithfully fulfills His promises throughout history. The coming of Jesus demonstrates God’s commitment to His people and His plan of redemption. It encourages us to trust in God’s promises and have faith in His faithfulness to fulfill them in His perfect timing.
