Anticipating His Advent #7

One of the lesser-known prophesies of Christ's coming came from the lips of Balaam, the prophet who tried to not speak what God wanted said. His last recorded oracle is found in Numbers 24:

 17 I see him, but not now;
    I behold him, but not near:
a star shall come out of Jacob,
    and a scepter shall rise out of Israel;
it shall crush the forehead of Moab
    and break down all the sons of Sheth.
18 Edom shall be dispossessed;
    Seir also, his enemies, shall be dispossessed.
    Israel is doing valiantly.
19 And one from Jacob shall exercise dominion
    and destroy the survivors of cities!”

Balaam's speech was now so controlled by God he could not resist letting these things come out, and he saw the Star with a scepter in His hand Who would drive away all the enemies of God's people. This descendant of Jacob would one day have full dominion over all.  Throughout the Old Testament this theme of the scepter pops up through many of the prophets, and then, looking back, the writer of Hebrews says about the Son of God: Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. God's Son Jesus Christ, fulfills what Balaam foresaw: rightfully holding in His hand the scepter of righteousness and justice. He deserves to rule and reign over His people, and indeed all nations.