“Then he spoke his message: ‘The prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of one whose eye sees clearly, the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who has knowledge from the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened: I see him, but not now;I behold him, but not near.A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel’.” (Numbers 24:15-17a)
After darkness, light…
The morning awakens with the promise of new life, new hope, and new glory. The sorcerer, the usurper, hired to curse the people of God, was only able to pronounce blessing upon them. God willed it to be so.
And in the blessing pronounced came a prophecy of the One who was to come. This One would finally and fully put an end to the oppression and tyranny which God’s people have always faced. The Moabites, the Assyrians, the Persians, the Romans…even sin itself. The usurper will not have the final word. The Promised One will.
The narrative of Numbers 22-24 reminds us during this Advent season that God will always be faithful to His covenant promises. No one can curse the ones He has chosen to bless. And because of Jesus, we are the blessed ones. Sin’s curse is destroyed. Death is not the end. Messiah reigns!
Reflection exercise: Watch the Bible Project’s YouTube video entitled Messiah and thank God for sending His only Son to save us from our sins.