Numbers 22:4
And Moab said unto the elders of Midian, Now shall this company lick up all that are round about us, as the ox licketh up the grass of the field. And Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at that time. And Moab said unto the elders of Midian, Now shall this company lick up all that are round about us, as the ox licketh up the grass of the field. And Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at that time.
Israel had moved forward and camped in the plains of Moab on this side of Jordan by Jericho. Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at that time. Moab saw Israel as a powerful people because Israel had destroyed the Amorites and taken possession of their land. All Moab was in trouble and exceedingly terrified of Israel's growing power.
In that terror Moab said to the elders of Midian that this company would lick up all that are round about as the ox licketh up the grass of the field, meaning Israel would consume and use up and overwhelm everything surrounding them. Although Israel had not attacked Moab, Balak led Moab to seek Midian's help and cooperation and sent messengers to have Balaam curse Israel.
Balak then conducted Balaam from one place to another in repeated, vain efforts to turn Israel's blessing into a curse and failed. That failure shows that when a person is sustained by divine power, human applause and fear of others are alike powerless to shake steadfastness.