Numbers 22:17
For I will promote thee unto very great honour, and I will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me: come therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people. For I will promote thee unto very great honour, and I will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me: come therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people.
This verse is Balak's second appeal after the first refusal, sent by a larger company of more numerous and honorable princes of more exalted position than the first messengers, with the charge to let nothing hinder Balaam's coming. Balak answered the refusal with this richer offer because he assumed Balaam's delay in coming was only a question of reward. He was moved to make it because Moab was terrified of Israel and dared not attack, and he sought to buy sorcery to counteract God.
The offer promises promotion to very great honor and pledges to do whatsoever Balaam says or asks, backed by costly presents and treasure in the messengers' hands, if he will come and curse Israel. The promised honor means human applause, which works together with the fear of man to move a steadfast servant from his decision, yet both are alike powerless against one who is sustained by divine power and remains firm as a rock to the word of the Lord. Balaam knew his duty was to refuse the rewards and dismiss the ambassadors, and knew his curse could not harm Israel while Israel was true to God, because God was on their side and no adverse power of earth or hell could prevail against them.
The promise was aimed at and excited Balaam's covetous disposition, love of honor and gain and favor from God's enemies, and pride, already excited by the presents in the messengers' hands, which strove hard for mastery even while fear of God's power still held ascendency for the moment. Balaam answered by declaring that even a house full of silver and gold could not move him to go beyond the word of the Lord his God to do less or more. While still professing to be a prophet of God marked by strict obedience and integrity, he inwardly desired the privilege of going, would have gratified his covetousness if he had dared, greedily accepted what was offered, and tried to comply with Balak's desires in a double-minded course seeking to please both God and man.
He urged the messengers to remain overnight so he could inquire of God again, even though he already knew God's will. God then suffered Balaam to follow his own inclination, and later glorified His own name by showing that even a covetous man like Balaam dared not for any promises of promotion or rewards pronounce a curse against Israel, whom God had blessed and led under His own banner. Balak then took Balaam from one place to another in the vain hope of inducing him to change Israel's blessing into a curse. Balaam's story shows how selfishness and covetousness can lead people to work against God and hinder His work.