The dramatic turn in Balaam’s story unfolds in the dead of night, as God’s initial, absolute refusal shifts into a conditional agreement. Although Balaam was previously forbidden from joining the Moabite delegation, the path now opens before him, albeit with a severe warning that ultimate control remains with Heaven. This raises a central question: why did God seemingly change His mind? The primary approach among commentators rests on the principle that a person is led down the path he chooses to walk [רבנו בחיי, תורה תמימה, ריב״א]. Recognizing Balaam’s audacity and his wicked inclinations, God allowed him to exercise his free will, much like when He acceded to the people's demand to send spies. Conversely, others maintain that God never actually changed His mind. The original prohibition forbade Balaam from going with the intent to curse; now, he is permitted to make the journey, provided he does not curse the Israelites [רמב״ן, רלב״ג, חזקוני, אלשיך]. A deeper perspective suggests that God allowed the journey specifically to demonstrate His absolute dominion over the world. Had He simply stopped Balaam from leaving, the surrounding nations might have concluded that Balaam possessed independent powers that God feared. By allowing him to reach Moab and then forcing him to publicly bless Israel, God proved unequivocally that no one can harm those whom He favors [אור החיים].
The exact nature of the invitation extended to Balaam is subject to various interpretations. A large group of commentators understands the summons as an appeal to Balaam’s material desires, suggesting he was allowed to go if his motive was simply personal enjoyment and the hope of receiving a reward for the journey itself [רש״י, דעת זקנים, בכור שור, מזרחי, גור אריה, משכיל לדוד, הדר זקנים, ברכת אשר]. Others view the invitation differently, seeing it as a request for political consultation [ספורנו, ריב״א, אדרת אליהו], an invitation to partake in a feast of peace offerings [פענח רזא, חזקוני], or a strategic move to bring him to Moabite territory, where the delegates mistakenly believed his curse would be effective [מלבי״ם, העמק דבר]. When instructed to travel with the men, a subtle distinction is drawn regarding his companionship. The permission granted was for a technical, physical journey alongside the messengers, but without becoming an ideological partner to their malicious plot [העמק דבר, נתינה לגר]. Furthermore, God permitted Balaam to travel specifically with Balak’s honorable princes, who would not pressure him to sin, as opposed to the Moabite leaders who harbored a vested personal interest in the curse [כלי יקר]. Another view even posits that the entire purpose of allowing the journey was so Balaam could rebuke the messengers and warn them against sinning [ספורנו].
The journey is ultimately sealed with an absolute condition: while Balaam is free to travel, the final outcome is not in his hands, and he will be forced to speak only God’s word [רש״י, דעת זקנים, בכור שור, בעל הטורים, שטיינזלץ]. The specific divine instruction demands that Balaam act upon the word rather than merely speak it. This indicates that God required more than just lip service; Balaam’s mouth and heart had to be perfectly aligned so that he would bless Israel with a complete and genuine heart [חתם סופר, ברכת אשר]. In truth, Balaam possessed no independent magical ability to curse or alter the Creator’s decrees. His unique wisdom was limited to identifying the exact moment of divine anger in the world. God actively prevented him from cursing so that humanity would not attribute any future plagues or misfortunes to the power of Balaam’s curse, but would instead recognize that everything comes directly from God [רבנו בחיי].