Definition: He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor, which [is] by the river of the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me:

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Numbers 22:5. It’s a really fascinating and dramatic passage about God’s power and a very specific situation. Here's a simple explanation: The Basic Story: God is sending messengers to confront Balaam, a Levite priest who was about to curse a Jordanian tribe – the children of his people – because they were practicing idolatry (worshiping other gods). Balaam was about to speak an evil word. Here's what it means in simpler terms: “He sent messengers…” : God is actively intervening and choosing to communicate with this situation. “…unto Balaam the son of Beor…” : This identifies the messenger – a specific, important individual. Balaam was a priest who had previously cursed the tribe. “…to Pethor, which is by the river of the land of the children of his people…” : Pethor was a temple in Lebanon, and this location is significant because it’s near the border of Israel. This is where the message is being delivered. “To call him…” : The messenger is trying to get Balaam to listen to God's word. “…saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth…” : This is the key part. The messenger says that a huge, powerful, and rapidly growing group of people – from Egypt – has emerged from their land. “Cover the face of the earth” means they’ve spread across the entire region, dominating the landscape. “…and abide over against me.” : This is where it gets really significant. The messenger says they are standing right next to God. It suggests a powerful and divine presence. Overall Meaning & Significance: This verse highlights God’s absolute power and His ability to overcome evil. It speaks of a massive, unstoppable force – the people from Egypt – that is rapidly expanding and dominating the land. It's a dramatic depiction of God’s victory over idolatry and the rise of a powerful nation. Why it's important: This story is considered one of the earliest examples of a “miracle” in the Bible. It demonstrates that God can intervene directly, even against seemingly insurmountable forces, and ultimately triumph over evil. It’s a powerful reminder of God’s sovereignty. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Connect it to a specific biblical story or theme?