Starry Sky
This is the message of Balaam son of Beor, the message of the man whose eyes see clearly, the message of one who hears the words of God, who has knowledge from the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open: I see him, but not here and now. I perceive him, but far in the distant future. A star will rise from Jacob; a scepter will emerge from Israel. Numbers 24:15-17
When I was a child, my family had a Christmas tree farm in Tioga County. There were no streetlights on the dirt road leading to the cabin, and the closest neighbor was miles away. When I looked up into the night sky, I remember seeing more stars than ever before. It was so very beautiful!
These verses from the Old Testament are part of a very unusual story in the Bible. Balaam was a sorcerer who the Moabites (an ancient enemy of the Israelites) wanted to hire to curse Israel. God spoke to Balaam and warned him not to curse, but to bless His people, Israel. Balaam did what God had instructed him to do.
God then gave him the vision recorded in the verses above. Many Biblical scholars believe that the star that will rise from Jacob referred to the coming of The Messiah, Jesus Christ. It may well have been this prophecy that convinced the astrologers (wise men) to follow a star, and travel to Bethlehem to search for the infant Jesus.
It seems strange that God would use a sorcerer like Balaam to foretell the coming of The Messiah. But this reminds us that God can and will use anyone or anything to accomplish His good and perfect plan of salvation.
Father God, as we continue to journey through Advent, give us eyes to see how You are at work in surprising ways to accomplish Your will. Amen.