Here is the thing about prophecies and prophets. Most prophets never declared themselves as prophets. It is usually others who give them that title. They reported what they saw in vision often reluctantly. They reported what they were inspired to say. God spoke to them, showed them something, and they repeated it to those around them or to those who needed to hear it. And not everyone who speaks about what they saw, heard, or understood from God were even good people.
Balaam was looking to make a little extra cash, God stepped in and Balaam knew better than to argue with God.
Numbers 22:12 And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.
Think about Caiaphas, who probably unbeknownst to him, prophesied more than even he could have imagined. Caiaphas was a bought man. It was not Caiaphas who understood what depth to meaning can be found in his statement. John did and recorded it here with the more in depth explanation.
John 11:49 And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, 50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.
