Numbers 22
King Balak called on Balaam to curse the "vast horde" of Israelites which arrived from Egypt because he felt threatened by them.
Balaaam was, however, directed by God not to cooperate. Balaam told Balak that "the Lord will not let me go with you" and also that he "would be powerless to do anything against the will of the Lord". The Lord told Balaam they he may say "only what I tell you to say". Balaam told Balak , "I have no power to say just anything . I will speak only the messages that God gives me." Though Balaam probably was willing to be employed by King Balak and to cooperate with his plans to curse the Israelites, he acknowledged God's sovereignty and yielded to God's guidance and direction.