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Strictly speaking, the only portion of Numbers that is a prophecy is the portion in 24:14-25, which Bible expositors call "Balaam's prophecy"; this prophecy speaks of the things that will happen at the Lord's second coming, as indicated by the phrase in the last days in verse 14:
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Both the Star out of Jacob coming forth and a Scepter rising out of Israel refer to Christ (v. 17):
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The Lord was manifested as a bright star at His birth (Matt. 2:2) and will be manifested as a bright star at His second coming (Rev. 2:28; 22:16), but in this age, between His two appearings, He also rises as the morning star in the hearts of those who belong to Him (2 Pet. 1:19).
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The Scepter refers to Christ's ruling; the One who has the scepter is the One who is on the throne and has all-inclusive power and authority (Psa. 2:9; 45:6; Gen. 49:10; Rev. 2:26-27).
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The history of Israel in the book of Numbers signifies the history of the church (1 Cor. 10:5-6; cf. Num. 24:9b); at the end of these histories, Christ will appear as the Star and the Scepter to shine on all the peoples and to rule the whole earth; at that time everything on earth that harasses God's people will be removed, and God's people will no longer suffer.
Morning Nourishment
Num. 24:17-19 I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near. There shall come forth a Star out of Jacob, and a Scepter shall rise out of Israel....His enemies shall also be dispossessed—while Israel does valiantly. And One from Jacob shall have dominion and destroy the remnant from the city.Numbers is a book that presents the history of Israel, and the history of Israel is a type of the history of the church. Strictly speaking, the only portion in Numbers that is a prophecy is the portion in 24:14-25, which Bible expositors call "Balaam's prophecy." This prophecy speaks of the things that will happen at the Lord's second coming, as indicated by the phrase in the last days in verse 14. (CWWL, 1960, vol. 1, "Synopsis of Numbers," p. 385)
Today's Reading
[In Numbers 24:17] Star and Scepter both refer to Christ....The star has several denotations: first, it appears in the night; second, it is heavenly; and third, it is bright. In speaking of the Lord Jesus' two appearings, the Bible refers to Him as a star. His first appearing was at His birth. The pagan magi saw His star from the east. They came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star at its rising and have come to worship Him" (Matt. 2:2). The Lord's second appearing will be at His second coming. In Revelation 2 the Lord said to the overcomers of the church in Thyatira, "I will give the morning star" (v. 28), and in chapter 22 the Lord said again, "I am...the bright morning star" (v. 16). Both of these portions speak of the Lord as the morning star at His second coming.In this age, between His two appearings, He also rises as the morning star in the hearts of those who belong to Him (2 Pet. 1:19). Every saved one has Christ as the star rising in him. He appeared to us the first time as our Savior, and He will rise in us again and again until His second appearing in glory. His rising in us today as the morning star points to His second coming.
The scepter in Numbers 24:17 refers to Christ's ruling. The one who has the scepter is the one who is on the throne and has authority. For example, Psalm 2:9 says concerning Christ, "You will break them with an iron rod; / You will shatter them like a potter's vessel." Psalm 45:6 says, "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; / The scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Your kingdom." Psalm 110:2 says, "Jehovah will send forth / The scepter of Your strength from Zion: / Rule in the midst of Your enemies." Genesis 49:10 says, "The scepter will not depart from Judah, / Nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, / Until Shiloh comes, / And to Him shall be the obedience of the peoples."...These verses show that the scepter refers to Christ's being on the throne and obtaining the kingship to exercise His authority of the kingdom. If we put the verses concerning the star together with the verses concerning the scepter, we will see that at the Lord's second coming, He will exercise His authority on the throne and in His kingdom.
Balaam's prophecy indicates that the present age is altogether dark; it is an age that is ruled by darkness and that does not submit to God's authority. Nevertheless, the Star and the Scepter came forth out of Jacob and will rise out of Israel. Christ is the bright morning star to illuminate this dark world, and Christ as the scepter will rise out of Israel to rule over this lawless earth. Today this earth is dark, without the shining of light; it is also chaotic, without authority. When the Lord Jesus comes, He will appear as the star to be the light of the universe, and He will also appear as the scepter to be the authority of the universe.
The history of Israel in the book of Numbers signifies the history of the church. At the end of these histories, Christ will appear as the Star and the Scepter. He will come to shine on all the peoples and to rule the whole earth. At that time the Moabites, the Amalekites, and everything on earth that harasses God's people will be removed, and God's people will no longer suffer. (CWWL, 1960, vol. 1, "Synopsis of Numbers," pp. 385-387, 389)
Further Reading: CWWL, 1960, vol. 1, "Synopsis of Numbers," ch. 35