He immediately returned to the land of Moab and laid his plans before the king. The Moabites themselves were convinced that so long as Israel remained true to God, He would be their shield. The plan proposed by Balaam was to separate them from God by enticing them into idolatry. If they could be led to engage in the licentious worship of Baal and Ashtaroth, their omnipotent Protector would become their enemy, and they would soon fall a prey to the fierce, warlike nations around them. This plan was readily accepted by the king, and Balaam himself remained to assist in carrying it into effect.

Han rejste øjeblikkelig tilbage til Moabs land og forelagde kongen sine planer. Moabitterne var selv overbevist om, at Gud ville være israelitternes skjold, så længe Israel blev ved at være tro over for ham. Bileams plan gik ud på at skille Israel fra Gud ved at lokke dem til afgudsdyrkelse. Hvis de kunne lokkes til at deltage i den tøjlesløse tilbedelse af Baal og Astarte ville deres almægtige beskytter blive deres fjende, og så ville de hurtigt blive et bytte for de omkringboende brutale, krigeriske folkeslag. Kongen gik beredvilligt ind på denne plan, og Bileam blev hos ham for at hjælpe til med at gennemføre den.