Numbers 22-24 - A star shall come forth from Jacob

Balak Sends for Balaam

Num 22:7 LSB - [7] So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian went away with the [fees for] divination in their hand; and they came to Balaam and spoke Balak's words to him.

Num 22:20-21 LSB - [20] And God came to Balaam at night and said to him, "If the men have come to call you, rise up [and] go with them; but only the word which I speak to you shall you do." [21] So Balaam arose in the morning and saddled his donkey and went with the leaders of Moab.

Balaam’s Donkey and the Angel

Num 22:22 LSB - [22] But God was angry because he was going, so the angel of Yahweh took his stand in the way as an adversary against him. Now he was riding on his donkey, and his two young men were with him.

Num 22:31 LSB - [31] Then Yahweh opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of Yahweh standing in the way with his drawn sword in his hand; and he bowed his head down and prostrated himself to the ground.

Num 22:41 LSB - [41] Then it happened in the morning that Balak took Balaam and brought him up to the high places of Baal, and he saw from there the end of [the camp] of the people.

Yahweh Speaks Through Balaam

Num 23:5 LSB - [5] Then Yahweh put a word in Balaam's mouth and said, "Return to Balak, and you shall speak thus."

Balaam’s Discourse

Num 23:16 LSB - [16] Then Yahweh met Balaam and put a word in his mouth and said, "Return to Balak, and thus you shall speak."

Spirit of God Comes upon Balaam

Num 24:1-2 LSB - [1] And Balaam saw that it was good in the eyes of Yahweh to bless Israel, so he did not go as at other times to encounter omens, but he set his face toward the wilderness. [2] And Balaam lifted up his eyes and saw Israel dwelling tribe by tribe; and the Spirit of God came upon him.

Oracle of Balaam

Num 24:17 LSB - [17] "I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near; A star shall come forth from Jacob, A scepter shall rise from Israel, And shall crush through the forehead of Moab, And tear down all the sons of Sheth.

What star is this, with beams so bright, More lovely than the noon-day light?

Translator: John Chandler; Author: Charles Coffin (1736)

1. What star is this, with beams so bright,

Which shame the sun’s less radiant light?

’Tis sent t’ announce a new-born King,

Glad tidings of our God to bring.

2. ’Tis now fulfilled what God decreed:

“From Jacob shall a star proceed”;

And lo! the eastern sages stand

To read in heav’n the Lord’s command.

3. While outward signs the star displays,

An inward light the Lord conveys,

And urges them, with force benign,

To seek the Giver of the sign.

4. Oh, while the star of heav’nly grace

Invites us, Lord, to seek thy face,

May we no more that grace repel,

Or quench that light, which shines so well!

5. To God the Father, God the Son,

And Holy Spirit, Three in One,

May every tongue and nation raise

An endless song of thankful praise!