Even while Israel journeyed from Egypt to their own land, the Lord worked through a prophet who hoped to profit from Israel’s fall, but the Lord had the prophet make this amazing prophecy, 

“I see Him, but not now;
I behold Him, but not near;
A Star shall come out of Jacob;
A Scepter shall rise out of Israel,
And batter the brow of Moab,
And destroy all the sons of tumult.”
(Numbers 24:17).

This prophecy of the Messiah is amazing because Balaam, who spoke it, kept approaching God, hoping that God would curse Israel, for then Balak, who had hired Balaam, could pay Balaam a huge sum of treasures. However, God refused to curse Israel.

Instead, God had the covetous prophet announce that one day a King would arise out of Israel, although at the time, Israel had no land, and no government, but the God of heaven would turn things around for Israel, and then nation would give the world a king.

John 18 says Jesus and Pilate in a discussion, and Jesus shows that He is a King,

Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice” (John 18.37).

Also, in John 19, you will find this,

Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS (John 19.19).

Pilate unintentionally announced to the world that Jesus is the King, and this fulfilled Numbers 24.17.

Related Articles

• Numbers 23. The prophecies of Balaam (bummyla.wordpress.com)
• Numbers 22. The king of Moab sends for Balaam. Balak sends for Balaam (bummyla.wordpress.com)
• Sermon: Jesus Christ on Trial (grantspasschurchofchrist.com)