John Calvin Commentary Numbers 23:11

"And Balak said unto Balaam, What hast thou done unto me? I took thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast blessed them altogether." — Numbers 23:11 (ASV)

And Balak said to Balaam. The proud man again reproaches the false prophet, as if he had fairly purchased from him the right of prophecy.¹⁵⁹ Behold how the reprobate seek God by crooked paths and desire to have nothing to do with Him unless He yields to their improper wishes — in a word, unless they render Him submissive to them.

Balaam, therefore, is compelled to repress this stupid arrogance by pleading God’s command and declaring that nothing more was permitted him than to announce what God prescribed. But we must remember that this was spoken only in reference to a particular act. In that instance, as far as his words went, he acted the part of a true prophet, although his feelings were altogether on the other side.

¹⁵⁹ L’authorite de le faire parler comme il veudroit;” the authority to make him speak whatever he chose. — Fr