“God came to Bilam at night” – this is what the verse said: “It is a night of vigilance of the Lord…it is this night…[for all the children of Israel for their generations]” (Exodus 12:42). All the miracles that were performed on behalf of Israel, and with which retribution was exacted against the wicked, were at night: “God came to Lavan the Aramean in a dream at night” (Genesis 31:24); “God came to Avimelekh in a dream at night” (Genesis 20:3); “It was at midnight” (Exodus 12:29),30The plague of the firstborn. and it is written: “There was the cloud and the darkness and it illuminated the night” (Exodus 14:20).31At the Red Sea.
“He deployed against them at night” (Genesis 14:15),32The war against the four kings. and likewise all of them. Another matter, why did He appear to Bilam at night? It is because he was not worthy of the Divine Presence; He would speak with all the prophets of the gentiles33The gentiles had prophets before Israel was chosen as the people of God at Sinai. at night. Likewise, Elifaz says: “In thoughts from visions of the night” (Job 4:13).
Likewise, Elihu says regarding the fact that He spoke with him at night.34See Job 33:14–15. The Sages identify Elihu as Bilam (Yerushalmi, Sotah 5:6). “If the people came to summon you, rise, go with them” – from here you learn that on the path that a person wishes to go, they lead him. For initially it was stated to him: “Do not go” (Numbers 22:12).
Once he was impudent and insisted on going, he went, as it is written: “God’s wrath was enflamed because he went” (Numbers 22:22). The Holy One blessed be He said to him: ‘Wicked one, I do not seek the eradication of the wicked; however, since you wish to go and be eradicated from the world: “rise, go.”’ “However, only the matter [that I will speak to you, shall you do]” – to teach you that he went with forewarning; nevertheless, he arose early.
“Bilam arose in the morning, and saddled his donkey, and he went with the princes of Moav” (Numbers 22:21). He himself awoke early and stood with alacrity. The Holy One blessed be He said to him: ‘Evil one, their patriarch Abraham preceded you to bind Isaac his son: “Abraham awoke early in the morning and saddled his donkey…”’ (Genesis 22:3). “He went with the princes of Moav” – to teach you that he was as happy as they were regarding the calamity of Israel.