day no. 14,573: are we there yet?

Numbers 23
Knowing what we know about how this whole thing ends helps us interpret what is happening in front of us. It appears in one glance that Balaam is faithfully prophesying in keeping with the will of the Lord, end of story. But what can go unnoticed is how many times he tries to curse Israel. That is why he's there after all. Balak didn't call him over to hear more about God's love for Israel. Balak already knew that. It struck terror into his heart. That is the very reason he called for Balaam to come. Balak knew that God was on Israel's side and wanted to see if he could get that God to curse Israel for him as though God, like Balaam, was for hire to the highest bidder. So we see the same song and dance time and time again with Balaam saying, "Sorry, let me try again," and Balak saying, "Hey, I didn't bring you all this way in order to hear what I already dreaded." Balaam was blessing Israel because God controlled his tongue, but his heart was aligned with Balak.  His desire was to curse them which is why he was calling "do-over" so many times like a child nagging, "are we there yet?" as though getting there could be accomplished merely by inquiring enough times.