Posts Tagged ‘ Balaam ’

The Star of Prophecy

We all like to talk about the Magi who came from the east to greet the newborn king of Israel. I wonder how many of us think about this star as a prophetic fulfillment.

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:1–2, ESV)

We are pretty sure that these “wise men” may have been of the school of practitioners trained originally by Daniel while Israel was in exile. It makes so much sense that they would have been looking for such signs. It does make one wonder why they would think to look for a star?

I wonder if the original Hebrew audience of Matthew would have thought about a previous “wise man” who first spoke of this star.

“The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor,

the oracle of the man whose eye is opened,

the oracle of him who hears the words of God,

and knows the knowledge of the Most High,

who sees the vision of the Almighty,

falling down with his eyes uncovered:

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 (Numbers 24:15–17, ESV)

Some foreigners came to worship a king because of a star they saw rise. A foreign prophet was used by God to prophesy a star that would rise.

The prophecy was made as Israel was approaching the Promised Land. The prophecy was fulfilled when the True Israel was approaching His creation.

The first foreigner joined in trying to kill God’s people. The next foreigners helped avoid the attempt to kill the Son of God (for a time.)

This is a good reminder that Israel struggles (there is a pun here) with knowing who their Lord is, but others see Him for who He is, even of they deny Him.

Let us be wiser than all these, even the wise men from the east and especially those who see truth and deny it.

Let us receive the King of kings who has come to bring us life and peace and is coming again.

Merry Christmas and the Lord’s blessings of eternal life and wisdom on you.

2025
12/24
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Sermon on the Mount study notes – Matthew 7:15-23

I have started a small group series on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). I am sharing my notes in case anyone else wants to use them with their group. [Reminder that these are only notes!]

Sermon on the Mount – Part 14

Matthew 5:1-2:
Jesus wants to teach the crowds: Who are they? Jewish disciples: People who understand the
Scriptures (at least to a point). Notice from 7:28 the crowds still came along, but this teaching is for His disciples.

What does “blessed” mean?
Based on the first twelve verses, blessed means realizing our own wretchedness and need for a Savior. In other words, it is becoming/being a Christian.

What was discussed last time?

  • ASK
  • Golden Rule
    • Wide vs. Narrow Gate

Matthew 7:15-23:
“Beware false prophets …”

  • Deuteronomy 13:1-3 – Speak true prophecies, but lead to other gods
    • Can be said also “preach a different gospel”
      • The Gospel: Jesus Christ (fully god, fully man) was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died for our sins on the cross, and three days later rose again.
      • False gospels: We can attain the godhood, are meant to do everything Christ did, are basically little gods
  • • Matthew 24:9-14, 21-28 – Just before Christ’s return, the gospel will be heard everywhere, but deceit will be the highest ever
    • False teachers/prophets saying Christ is found in the wilderness/inner rooms (huge influx of wilderness/secret room prayer ministries in the past 2 decades)
    • False christs? “Christ” means “anointed one” – huge influx of “anointings” and “anointed aposltes, prophets, and teachers” who receive special anointings and revelations
    • They may even perform real miracles and prophecies, “to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.”
  • 2 Peter 2
    • v. 13: Most if not all are aware they are deceiving people!
    • vv. 10b-11: They think they can control demons and “bind and decree against” them. (Obviously, most today have not met a demon like the sons of Sceva did! (Acts 19:11-20, which also points out people burning their magical books, as opposed to groups today offering heavenly viewings (sceances), destiny card reading (Tarot), and things like grave soaking (receiving anointing from the dead), all while offering sure-fire ways to make God do things for your to make your life better (magick)
    • vv. 4-10a: Mentioning the angels of Noah’s day and Sodom and Gomorrah points out those who allow or even celebrate deviant sexual desires (liberal Christianity, possibly even some in the hyper-charismatic movement)
    • vv. 17-22: They are so stuck on making the things of this world “holy” that they get stuck in the things of this world, thinking they are wise they show they are vv. 12-16, chasing money and power (like Balaam) while acting like they are barely evolved from primates.
  • But there end is destruction:
    • vv. 21-23: “Did we not …” – They put on a good show, say all the right things to sound good (how many NAR/liberal churches have orthodox statements of faith?), even accomplish amazing feats (“signs and wonders”, feeding the hungry, helping the homeless, etc.), yet they lead people from Christ.
    • “I never knew you.” – They claimed to know Christ, but like the sons of Sceva, they are merely riding on the coattails of Christ and Paul.

Who are we listening to?

How are we treating Scripture? The Gospel? Jesus? God?

2021
12/07
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