Rabbi Sacks points out some interesting contradictions in the parashah. First, when Bilaam refuses to return with the officers to Balak, he implies that God may change His mind regarding the prohibition. Yet, God doesn’t change His mind. Yet, God seemed to contradict Himself, instructing Bilaam after all, but prohibits him from doing anything except as instructed by God. When Bilaam goes, God gets angry. These apparent contradictions don’t seem to make sense. Read the article