TUESDAY: THE PROPHECY OF THE STAR

Dec 6, 2022
2 min read

Lord, I pray for the light of Your Word to illuminate my heart and mind, so I can fulfill Your will and vision for my life.

Numbers 24:17

“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.

Matthew 2:1-2

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

It’s not unusual to see a star in the sky; it is unusual when the star is shining with such brilliance that it symbolizes the God of all creation is coming to earth in human form. God appointed Magi, or “king-makers,” from the east (probably Persia) to confirm the identity of His Son on the earth.

God used the prophet Moses (who wrote the book of Numbers) to foretell the appearance of a star; the wise men were anticipating the star to symbolize the birth of the Messiah. The star was not like the others in the sky: The Magi exclaimed they had seen “His star,” or the star of the Messiah, which led them to Jerusalem. For everyone else who was looking up, it seemed to be a majestic sight with an unknown meaning.

A scepter refers to a mark of authority and can also be used for correction. Jesus came to correct an important order of things: In order for me to go to heaven, God needed to intervene. God chose to come to earth in the flesh, so I can see His authority over my life.

THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS: I see Him, but not now: Through revelation, Moses saw the signs of the coming of Christ, but these things were not to take place in his time. I behold Him, but not near: There was a time and a place when Jesus would come near, not only physically, but also enter my heart. Acknowledging His authority, I give Him praise and thanksgiving. In light of this prophecy, the warmth of the star’s rays which illuminated the sky that night so long ago now illuminates my heart.

I now understand the star was an important prophecy in Jesus’ birth. Just like I need the Light of Jesus to guide me through a dark, unknown world, the Magi needed this star of Jesus to guide them through the night to an unknown land.

Lord, I pray for Your Light to bless each step I take through this dark and dreary world. Illuminate my heart, so everyone around me can see You are the King of all.

May you be blessed,

Chaplain Wayne Ruckman