The second oracle follows a similar pattern. This, again, is the first theme. I think that God is again teaching Bil'am what connects us to the Divine. Bil'am seeks to approach God with manipulative sacrifices and magic. The oracle clarifies to Bil'am that it is honesty and justice that cause God's presence to dwell among the Jews.
Sacrifices have at best a supporting role.
Jacob Nor magic in Israel. That ethics are the foundation of God's covenant with Israel is no surprise to readers of the Torah. Bil'am, unaware of this central principle, has pagan notions that God's goodwill can be attained through sacrifices, and God manipulated through magic. I suggest that in both cases this is the issue. God's message to Bil'am, that God desires ethics and not sacrifice, is identical to the prophet's message to Israel.