Commentary for Numbers 22:35

לך עם האנשים GO WITH THE MEN — On that road which a man is resolved to go, he is allowed to go (Makkot 10b).

GO WITH THE MEN; BUT ONLY THE WORD THAT I SHALL SPEAK UNTO THEE, THAT THOU SHALT SPEAK. It is possible that He means to say: “Go with the men; but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak, and you should inform them [of this limitation of your powers].” Or it may mean that after Balaam had confessed [his evil intention, and said]: if it displease thee, I will get me back,⁹⁹Verse 34. He said to him, “Go with them, for I have forgiven you your sin, but only [on condition] that you remember My warning which I have given you [only to speak that which I tell you to say].” He had to say this [again] to him, in order that Balaam should not think that He was telling him: “Go with them to do what they have asked you to do.” It is also possible that since he who went [on the journey, i.e., Balaam] wanted to curse the people and did not want to bless them under any circumstances, therefore G-d warns him on every occasion that He speaks to him. It is for this reason that Balaam informed Balak at the very start of his speaking to him, [saying]: Lo, I am ‘come’ unto thee,¹⁰⁰Verse 38. [meaning to say that] “I have only been permitted to come, but as far as [cursing] the people [of Israel] is concerned, have I now any power at all to speak any thing¹⁰⁰Verse 38. in accordance with your wish? The word that G-d putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak — whether it be a curse or a blessing. Decide therefore if you [Balak] want me to speak about them [despite this risk], and if you do not want it, I will already now get me back.”

לך עם האנשים, do not go following your own agenda, but go with them as if you are there only at their request, so that they will not kill you for reneging.