A common misinterpretation is to see the angel's permission as full endorsement of Balaam's journey and independence, overlooking the binding restriction to utter only God's specified words, which later Balaam circumvents through counsel leading to Israel's sin. Another error views Balaam as genuinely repentant and transformed into a faithful prophet here, ignoring his subsequent greed and apostasy, or assumes the angel supports cursing Israel, whereas the command safeguards God's blessing on His people regardless of Balaam's or Balak's desires.
Numbers 22:35
King James Version (1769)
35 And the angel of the Lord said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.
This passage reveals God's sovereign control over Balaam's mission, permitting him to proceed with Balak's men only under the strict condition of speaking exclusively the words God would give him, ensuring that divine truth prevails despite human intentions to curse Israel. It highlights the principle that God can redirect even a wayward prophet's path to accomplish His protective purposes for His people, emphasizing obedience to God's precise instructions as the hallmark of true prophetic service.