I agree with you, that there seems to be an inconsistency here, with God at one point (v 12) telling Balaam not to go with those men, and then in verse 20, telling him to go with them. The only way to understand this paradox is to see it from God's viewpoint. God specifically told him not to go with them; Balaam then had some doubts about God's Word & wanted to check with Him again (v 19). This was where Balaam failed the Lord: in his doubt & his desire for some fame & fortune (vv 17,18). So, God gave him over to his lusts (v 20), which Balaam was more than happy to 'oblige', but as we know he was severely reprimanded by God (the angel & his ass) to his great sin of disobedience.
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