Numbers 22:2-8 - Moab was in great dread of the people of Israel

22:2-5

Remember that Israel has just had a series of victories, and this had been noted by Balak the son of Zippor. Balak was the king of the Moabites. So the Moabites were in fear of Israel, and Israel had also become very numerous. Balak could not see any natural way of defeating Israel (though if he had simply allowed Israel to pass through safely they would not have attacked), so he seeks supernatural help in the form of Balaam, a man know as some sort of prophet.

22:6-8

Balak called on Balaam to curse Israel. Balaam had a reputation that if he cursed someone they were indeed cursed, and if he blessed them they were blessed. Balaam exercised his ministry for money. This is what Peter and Jude specifically warned against. Balaam seemed to recognise that any power he had came from the Lord, and he prayed to the Lord. Balaam is a somewhat enigmatic figure, and does demonstrate that doing miracles is not a sign of being right with God. Indeed, Jesus taught this very lesson in Matt 7:21-23.