Definition: And the angel of the LORD said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Numbers 22:35. It’s a really interesting and somewhat surprising story! Here's what it means in simple terms: The Core Idea: God is directly intervening in a situation where someone is about to harm the Israelites. He chooses to use a powerful angel to guide Balaam, who was about to kill a young man. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And the angel of the LORD said unto Balaam…” : This tells us we're talking about an angel – a divine being – working with God. It’s important to remember that angels aren't typically depicted as having human characteristics in the Bible. “…Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak.” : This is the key part. The angel isn’t there to do anything physically. Instead, he’s instructing Balaam to listen carefully and follow his instructions. He’s saying, “Speak what I tell you, and you will do it.” Basically, he's giving Balaam a directive. “So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.” : This is where the story gets really significant. Balaam was an Israelite priest who was about to kill a young man. The "princes of Balak" are essentially a group of high-ranking officials – likely powerful leaders – who were trying to influence Balaam and prevent him from carrying out his task. They wanted to make sure Balaam didn’t do what he was meant to do. What's the Significance? This verse is significant because it shows: God's Sovereignty: God is actively involved in the situation, choosing who to speak to and guiding their actions. Divine Guidance: The angel isn't just passively watching; he’s actively instructing Balaam. It highlights God's control over events. Moral Responsibility: The verse suggests that Balaam had a moral responsibility – he was about to harm someone, and God is intervening to prevent it. In short, this verse illustrates God's power to protect His people and guide them through difficult situations. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of the story? Connect this verse to a particular theme in the Bible (like obedience or divine intervention)?