Numbers 22:13, commentary and pictures

In the morning Balaam sent Balak's first princes back to their own land, telling them that the Lord refused to give him leave to go with them. He had been a prophet of God and a good man, but he had apostatized through covetousness, loving the wages of unrighteousness and becoming double-minded while still professing to be a prophet and seeking to gain and keep the favor, honor and rewards of the enemies of the Lord. He already knew what answer to give the messengers, but the presents in their hands excited his covetousness, so he asked them to tarry overnight until the Lord should speak to him. In the night God came to him through an angel and forbade him to go with them and to curse the people, because they are blessed and conducted under the banner of the God of heaven, so no curse from man could retard their progress.

His morning dismissal was therefore reluctant and outward only, driven by fear of God's power, while inwardly he still desired to go if he dared, with love of honor and gain striving for mastery. His disappointment, anger and petulance reflected his covetous desire for the promised reward, honor and promotion that he felt had been taken from him. He did not honestly tell the messengers the full command, concealing that God had forbidden him to curse the people and failing to warn them that Israel was blessed. His conduct in the verse is an example of working against God when selfishness and covetousness shape one's plans.

The refusal is the first in a repeated effort in which Balak led Balaam from one point to another in the vain hope of turning Israel's blessing into a curse. That same pattern was later repeated in efforts to move Luther from steadfastness, where the archbishop of Treves succeeds no better than the king of Moab did. Human applause and the fear of man are alike powerless to shake a decision sustained by divine power.