Project 119: Heaven and Nature Sing | Numbers 24
| Project 119 | Ben Winder
Reading for Wednesday, December 2: Numbers 24
O come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
-"O Come, O Come, Emmanuel"
We are often guilty, especially in Western Christianity, of what one commentator has called “Disney Princess Theology.” That is to say, when we read stories in Scripture, we are most apt to insert ourselves firmly in the position of the hero of the story, and rarely allow ourselves to ponder those times we might best be identified with a character of less than stellar reputation. We usually identify with the knight in shining armor, the cowboy wearing a white hat, or the beautiful princess. It is easier to think ourselves the hero than the villain.
With that in mind, we are not likely to see ourselves in the place of Balak, or the many others who find themselves in the cross hairs of Balaam’s prophecy in Numbers 24. Yet, if we are to be honest about the coming Day of the Lord, we must admit it will not be a good day for everyone. Many authors in the Bible, and Jesus Himself, warn us about the pain that will accompany the Advent of the Lord in power for those who are not ready.
As our hymn suggests, though many spirits will be cheered by the coming of the Dayspring, our Lord Jesus Christ, we must remember this will happen by the dispersal of gloom and the putting to flight of death’s dark shadows. Knowing that gloom and those shadows can be found in our own hearts, let us carefully consider and allow the Spirit to examine us to ensure that we are being sanctified evermore to be as ready as possible for Christ’s coming again. With the Spirit’s help, let us disperse the gloom and darkness within ourselves as we prepare for Christ’s coming. With fear and trembling let us honestly place ourselves as the target of the prophecy.
“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”
(Numbers 24:17 NIV).
Christ’s coming will not be good news for all; it will be painful for many. Let us strive to be ready. Let us do hard soul work now. With the Spirit’s help, let us become the people for whom the Day of the Lord will be good news.