Numbers 23:11Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

God allowed him to proceed, but not to pronounce any curses, transforming those curses into blessings. This was not due to the authority of the wise man's words, but rather because the people, in their vulnerability, were inclined to accept his oaths, which could lead to their condemnation for their frailty.

God prevented Balaam from pronouncing a curse on the people, who subsequently engaged in immoral relations with the daughters of Moab, leading them to face a plague as punishment. This was done so that, when divine judgment fell upon the Hebrews due to their sinfulness, they would not assume that Balaam's curse was the cause of their suffering, nor would they seek out the sages, mistakenly believing they possessed true power. Furthermore, to ensure Balaam did not believe that his curses had brought about the plague on the Hebrews, God compelled him to bless the people before King Balak. In contrast, Balak, who was nearby with his trumpets, and all those opposing God's chosen people, were the ones he ultimately cursed.