Beautiful lights are a wonderful part of the Christmas celebration. They point us back to the bright star that led the wise men to the baby Jesus. But have you ever wondered about the prophecy that prompted the wise men to undertake such a wild adventure as to follow a star?

The prophecy that led the wise men to Jesus is found in Numbers 24:17.  It was given under extraordinary circumstances by a man known only for his talking donkey…that’s right Balaam. But Balaam had more than a donkey. There is no doubt for him to hear God’s instructions and to carry on the conversations that he did with God, he had a relationship with God. He was a prophet so, he also had a message from God, but something happened to Balaam. He was a servant of God, but he lost his focus. The glimmer of gold and glory distracted him from his God given role as a servant. Balaam wanted more. He wanted to be a star.  Stars have a different attitude and motive than a servant. A star thinks:

•What’s in it for me?

•I want to be admired.

•I want center stage.

After the miraculous encounter with the angel and the talking donkey Balaam made his way to Balak, the king of Moab. Balak offered Balaam wealth and honor if he would curse the Israelites that had filled the land like cattle. Balaam was taken to a mountain overlooking the Israelites. Sacrifices were offered to God. Balaam opened his mouth to curse the people, but instead of cursing… he blessed them.

 Balak was not a happy king. “Why are you blessing them?”

Balaam reminded King Balak, “I can only speak the works that God tells me to speak.”

Balak quickly relocated the prophet to another mountain with a different view of the people, hoping there he would curse these dreaded Israelites. But again, Balaam blessed the people.

Balak moved Balaam again for the third and forth time, but each time Balaam blessed the Israelites. He could not curse what God had blessed. It was this fourth prophecy that was used many years later to guide the wise men to baby Jesus. Numbers 24:17 I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh; there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Scepter shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.

Balaam went home, but there’s more to the story. Balaam came back and he told Balak that although he wouldn’t curse the people, if they began to inter marry with the heathen of the land, they would curse themselves. Balaam moved to Moab and he was killed when the Israelites took possession of the land. A sad ending to an incredible ministry. Where did he go wrong? He wanted to be a star instead of a servant.