The Israelites had traveled through the wilderness for many years. As they approached their promised inheritance in the land of Canaan, Balaam, a charismatic prophet, tried to curse Israel on behalf of the king of Moab. Balaam’s job was to make the nations of Moab and Edom more powerful than Israel. But the one true God would not let him speak against Israel.

God has the power to turn negatives into positives. Remember this always!

And who was this star or scepter that would rise? Some say it was King David, who fought and overcame many of Israel’s enemies. Others say it referred to later kings over God’s people. Still others say that Jesus, the Messiah, is both the star and the scepter.

We can see from this example that people have a multitude of interpretations of Scripture, and sometimes it’s hard to figure out exactly what the Bible is saying. But Christians understand the New Testament to be a continuation and fulfillment of the Old Testament.

Matthew 2 tells the story of the star that shone over Bethlehem at the time of Jesus’ birth, and in Matthew 4 Jesus says he is the light that has dawned over the people living in darkness (see also Isaiah 9:2). Jesus is the star. Jesus is the scepter that rules over everything forever—ruling even now!