A Star Shall Advance From Jacob

December 16, 2019

From today’s reading…

I see him, though not now;

I behold him, though not near:

A star shall advance from Jacob,

and a staff shall rise from Israel.”

This sounds promising and familiar here at Christmas, right? 

There’s a star leading the way (to Jesus in the manger) and we know shepherds (Jesus is both the Good Shepherd and the lamb) carry staffs to both help them maintain their footing while tending to their flocks and they can be used as a weapon against predators who might attack their flocks.

Additionally, the staff or scepter is an indication of leadership, which we know applies fully to Jesus in all things.

So why wouldn’t today’s reading be promising and encouraging? 

Well, it’s a quote by a prophet named Balaam in Numbers 24, who was summoned by King Balak to place a curse on the Israelites, who had just whopped the Amorites and were surrounding his lands.

But Balaam could not go against the Word of God. In fact, he told Balak’s servants who were sent for him,

Even if Balak gave me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything, small or great, contrary to the command of the LORD, my God.”

Finally, God gives Balaam permission to visit with King Balak and that is when we see the opening words above as told by Balaam to the king.

I told you those words were not necessarily promising, but they are to you because you…

Stay the course.Keep the faith.Endure.