Definition: And when he came to him, behold, he stood by his burnt offering, and the princes of Moab with him. And Balak said unto him, What hath the LORD spoken?

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down that verse from Numbers 23:17. It’s a really important passage about a deal gone wrong, and it’s a bit tricky to get at the full meaning without a deeper understanding of the story. Here's a simplified explanation: The Basic Story: This verse comes from a story about a wealthy king named Balak who was offering sacrifices to God. Balak, feeling arrogant and wanting to appease God more than he needed to, offered a very large sacrifice – a huge amount of meat. He then sent his officials (the “princes”) to see if the Lord had spoken to him about this sacrifice. What happened next: When the princes arrived, they asked the king, "What has the LORD spoken?" This is the key question. The Meaning – It’s About a Deception: The verse essentially means that Balak lied to God. He was trying to trick God into believing his sacrifice was more significant than it actually was. He was making a false promise, and the Lord saw through his deception. In simpler terms: Balak was being dishonest and trying to manipulate the Lord. Why is this important? This story highlights a crucial point in the Old Testament: God’s judgment is swift and unwavering. He doesn't tolerate dishonesty or attempts to deceive him. It shows that God is watching over his people and will not be fooled by empty promises. --- Do you want me to: Explain why this story happened? Discuss the significance of the verse in a broader context of biblical understanding? Offer some related stories or themes from the Bible?