Numbers 24:15-19 New International Version (NIV)
Balaam’s Fourth Message
15 Then he spoke his message:
“The prophecy of Balaam son of Beor,
the prophecy of one whose eye sees clearly,
16 the prophecy of one who hears the words of God,
who has knowledge from the Most High,
who sees a vision from the Almighty,
who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened:
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.
He will crush the foreheads of Moab,
the skulls of all the people of Sheth.
18 Edom will be conquered;
Seir, his enemy, will be conquered,
but Israel will grow strong.
19 A ruler will come out of Jacob
and destroy the survivors of the city.”
It could have been this prophecy that convinced the astrologers to travel to Israel in search of the baby Jesus. It does seem strange that God would use an astrologer to foretell the coming of the Messiah. God uses anything and anyone to accomplish his plans. Sorcery is not acceptable to God. The Bible condemns it. God does show his sovereignty over good and evil.
