“Balak heard that Bilam had come, and went out to meet him, to the city of Moav, which is on the border of Arnon, which is on the edge of the border” (Numbers 22:36). “Balak heard that Bilam had come” – it teaches that he sent emissaries to Balak to apprise him. “And went out to meet him, to the city of Moav” – to their metropolis. What did he see that led him to greet him at the border?
He said that these borders were set from the days of Noah, so that no nation would enter the border of another; and these are coming to ruin it. He was showing him how they breached and passed the border of Siḥon and Og, as though he was complaining about them. “Balak said to Bilam: Did I not send to you to summon you? Why did you not come to me?
Is it true that I cannot honor you?” (Numbers 22:37). “Balak said to Bilam: Did I not send to you to summon you…Is it true that I cannot honor you?” He prophesied that ultimately he would leave from him in disgrace. He answered him accordingly: “Behold, I have come to you; now, will I be able to speak anything?" (Numbers 22:38). I do not have permission to say what I wish.