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We recall also the prophecy of Balaam, "There shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel" (Num. 24:17), and also the search for this star ages later by people who came out of the country of Balaam.

We likewise remember the prophecy of Moses about the time of his departure, "The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken." (Deut. 18:15.) When the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to interrogate John the Baptist concerning his mission they asked him if he were this great prophet which the nation was expecting, and he answered, No. (John 1:21.)

We might sum up the promises to David in this quotation from Jeremiah: "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth." (Jer. 23:5.)

It is undeniable that these prophecies were uttered ages before the coming of Jesus, who claimed to be their fulfilment. Of course, I am perfectly aware that most of my readers