ALPHA MAAMA (A.M.)

Tusite Me 9, 2023

כוכב   The Star of Jacob

KO E FETU ‘U HOPO ‘O SEKOPE

NUMBERS 24:17

[BALAAM SAID.] "I SEE HIM, BUT NOT NOW; I BEHOLD HIM, BUT NOT NEAR: A STAR SHALL COME OUT OF JACOB, AND A SCEPTER SHALL RISE OUT OF ISRAEL: IT SHALL CRUSH THE FOREHEAD OF MOAB AND BREAK DOWN ALL THE SONS OF SHETH." 

NOMIPA 24:17

‘Oku ou vakai ia neongo kuo te‘eki ‘i ai, ‘Oku ou ‘ilo atu, neongo ‘oku te‘eki ofi; He hoko ha fetu‘u meia Sēkope ia Pea hake mei ‘Isileli ha sēpita; Pea te ne taa‘i ‘a e ongo tuliki ‘o Moape, Mo faka‘auha ‘a e hako kotoa ‘o Sete

Talk of "stars" in Hollywood has ancient echoes. In Hebrew, "star" is kokav and "stars" kokavim. Throughout history, people or creatures of renown have been called kokavim, including angels (Job 38:7). Believers shall shine "like the stars forever and ever" in the resurrection (Dan. 12:3). In the Jewish revolt in AD 132-135, Rabbi Akiva thought the leader was the messiah, so he called him by the Aramaic name Bar Kokhba ("son of a star"). Akiva based that name on the well-known interpretation of "a star [kokav]" coming "out of Jacob" as the Anointed One (Num. 24:17).

Akiva was a hundred years late, of course, and dead wrong, for the true Messiah had already arrived. Magi followed a star to this Star of Jacob. Of himself he testified, "I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star" (Rev. 22:16). By the scepter of his Word, he rules. He crushes the foreheads of all his foes-especially the ancient serpent-by trampling them under his resurrection feet.

Blessed are you, Lord Jesus Christ, our bright morning star, for you shine on us to lead us in the path of peace.