Definition: And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because [thy] way is perverse before me:

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Numbers 22:32. It’s a really powerful and dramatic passage about a man who was trying to trick God! Here's the explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Story: The Man is Trying to Trick God: A man named Balaam was leading an Israelite army when he encountered a stubborn donkey. He tried to make it run away, and the donkey kicked him. He then started making loud noises and trying to provoke the donkey, hoping to get a fight. God Sees Through Him: God sees through his lies and begins to pursue him. The Angel of the LORD Intervenes: An angel (think of it as an extra helper) appears and says, “I have gone out to withstand you!” This means He’s watching him and is prepared to intervene if he continues this behavior. What Does It Mean? “Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times?” – This is the core of the verse. It's a question about why Balaam was doing this. He was deliberately trying to provoke God and cause trouble. “I went out to withstand thee” : This shows that God isn’t just annoyed; He's actively watching and preparing to stop him. “Because [thy] way is perverse before me” : This is the most important part. "Thy way" means his behavior or manner of thinking . It implies he was being dishonest, selfish, and trying to deceive God. The word “perverse” means wrong, immoral, or evil. In a nutshell: This verse describes a moment where Balaam was attempting to trick God with his actions, and God is showing He’s watching and preparing to stop him from doing that. It's a powerful illustration of God's judgment and His watchful presence. Why is it important? This story is a reminder that we all need to be honest and truthful with God. It shows that even when we think we’re being clever, our actions can have consequences. It also highlights God’s justice and His ability to intervene when people are acting wrongly. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of the story? Give you a more detailed explanation of a specific theme (like obedience or faithfulness)?