Disappointed in his hopes of wealth and promotion, in disfavor with the king, and conscious that he had incurred the displeasure of God, Balaam returned from his self-chosen mission. After he had reached his home the controlling power of the Spirit of God left him, and his covetousness, which had been merely held in check, prevailed. He was ready to resort to any means to gain the reward promised by Balak. Balaam knew that the prosperity of Israel depended upon their obedience to God, and that there was no way to cause their overthrow but by seducing them into sin. He now decided to secure Balak's favor by advising the Moabites of the course to be pursued to bring a curse upon Israel.

Bileam var en skuffet mand. Hans drømme om rigdom og ære var slået fejl, han havde pådraget sig kongens vrede, og han var klar over, at han var genstand for Guds mishag. Således vendte han hjem fra den rejse, han selv havde valgt at begive sig ud på. Da han var kommet hjem, forlod Guds Ånd ham og øvede ikke længer nogen indflydelse over ham. Nu tog begærligheden, som blot var blevet holdt i skak, magten over ham. Han var villig til at benytte et hvilket som helst middel for at få den gave, Balak havde lovet. Bileam vidste, at Israels fremgang var afhængig af deres lydighed mod Gud, og at de kun kunne besejres, hvis de blev ledt i synd. Han besluttede nu at skaffe sig Balaks belønning ved at vise moabitterne, hvorledes de kunne nedkalde en forbandelse over Israel.