Numbers

Numbers 24: God promises a victorious King

Begin in prayer

Before hearing of the ruler God promises from Jacob, let us bow before the Lord whose purpose stands. Ask Him to show us the glory of Jesus and make our hearts ready to receive His rule.

I will also appoint him my firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.

Psalm 89:27

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us the King You promised, Jesus Christ, and teach us to trust His victory and honour His rule. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Balaam looks toward Israel’s tents, and God’s Spirit comes on him as he speaks another blessing. He describes a fruitful people, a kingdom exalted above its enemies and the Lord’s strength that brought Israel from Egypt. Balak angrily dismisses him without the honour he promised, but Balaam insists he must speak God’s word. Before leaving, he announces a future ruler from Jacob, pictured as a star and a sceptre. Moab and Edom will be defeated, and further words declare destruction and captivity for other nations. Balak and Balaam part, with God’s blessing and purpose unchanged.

As you read Numbers 24, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God blesses His people and promises a King who will defeat His enemies.

Balaam sees that blessing Israel pleases the Lord, and the Spirit of God comes on him. The camp below him is described as a garden beside water, a picture of fruitfulness God gives. Balak wants a curse, yet hears again that God will strengthen His people and exalt their king. Losing the king’s promised reward cannot give Balaam freedom to change God’s word. Then the distant future comes into view through a star and a sceptre, the sign of a coming ruler. This ruler from Jacob will overcome the nations that oppose him. The rise and fall of other powers also remains under God’s hand, beyond the plans of either man.

How does Numbers 24 show us that God blesses His people and promises a King who will defeat His enemies?

God blesses His people with strength and fruitfulness.

Israel’s tents are compared with gardens and trees beside water. The Lord who brought them from Egypt gives them strength against enemies. Blessing those He blesses brings blessing, and cursing them brings a curse.

God’s word stands above the reward a king can offer.

Balak had promised honour, and now sends Balaam away in anger. Balaam answers that even a house full of silver and gold cannot free him to invent his own message. The Lord’s word is beyond the king’s power to purchase or change.

God promises a ruler who will overcome His people’s enemies.

A star and a sceptre picture the ruler who will rise from Israel. He will have dominion, and Moab and Edom will fall before him. The other nations also face God’s appointed judgment, however secure their present strength seems.

Memorise

A star will come out of Jacob.

Numbers 24:17

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, where do I resist the King who alone can forgive my sin?

Balaam says, “A star will come out of Jacob.” A ruler will rise from Israel, and God’s enemies will fall. Luke 1 verses 32 and 33 tells us that Jesus receives David’s throne and reigns over Jacob’s house forever. Jesus calls Himself the Bright and Morning Star in Revelation 22 verse 16.

We have resisted His rule and deserve His judgment. Jesus died for His people, taking their guilt and punishment upon Himself at the cross. He rose from the dead, victorious over death. His saving work is finished. His sacrifice is enough to bring guilty people under His gracious care.

So turn from rebellion and trust King Jesus. Those who receive Him by faith are forgiven through His sacrifice. Please come under His rule with hope. The King who conquered through His death and resurrection will keep the people He has rescued, and His kingdom will never end.

Parent's note

Tell your children that Jesus is the promised King, and receiving His rule begins with repentance and faith in Him. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for the victorious King He promised and sent, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” He answered, “So you say.”

Mark 15:2

Father, thank You for the promise of a King whose kingdom will never end. Please forgive our resistance to Your rule and turn each of us to trust Jesus. Teach us to honour Him with our words and choices. Give us hope in the victory He won by His death and resurrection. Amen.