"Balaam had some knowledge of the sacrificial offerings of the Hebrews, and he hoped that by surpassing them in costly gifts he might secure the blessing of God and ensure the accomplishment of his sinful projects. Thus the sentiments of the idolatrous Moabites were gaining control of his mind. His wisdom had become foolishness; his spiritual vision was beclouded; he had brought blindness upon himself by yielding to the power of Satan. PP 444.1"
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction."
Both passages contrast true wisdom with foolishness, and suggest that turning away from God leads to a loss of wisdom. Balaam's actions demonstrate the principle stated in Proverbs.
"By Balaam's direction seven altars were erected, and he offered a sacrifice upon each. He then withdrew to a “high place,” to meet with God, promising to make known to Balak whatever the Lord should reveal. PP 444.2"
"And Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven oxen and seven rams."
EGW directly references and describes the event in Numbers 23:1.
"With the nobles and princes of Moab the king stood beside the sacrifice, while around them gathered the eager multitude, watching for the return of the prophet. He came at last, and the people waited for the words that should paralyze forever that strange power exerted in behalf of the hated Israelites. Balaam said: PP 444.3"
"And he took up his parable, and said, Balak the king of Moab hath brought me from Aram, out of the mountains of the east, saying, Come, curse me Jacob, and come, defy Israel."
Both passages describe the setting of Balaam's prophecies, with Balak and the Moabites present and expecting a curse on Israel. EGW provides a more descriptive narrative, but it aligns with the events described in Numbers 23:7.
"“The king of Moab hath brought me from Aram, Out of the mountains of the east, Saying, Come, curse me Jacob, And come, defy Israel. How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? Or how shall I defy, whom the Lord hath not defied? For from the top of the rocks I see him , And from the hills I behold him : Lo, the people shall dwell alone, And shall not be reckoned among the nations. Who can count the dust of Jacob, And the number of the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, And let my last end be like his!” PP 444.4"
"How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? or how shall I defy, whom the Lord hath not defied?"
EGW quotes Numbers 23:8 directly.