009 - 10 - Lesson 10: The Unchanging God
The Theology of God • Sermon • Submitted
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Can God “Change His Mind”?
Can God “Change His Mind”?
There are passages speak of God changing his mind (Gen. 6:6; Ex. 32:14; 1 Sam. 15:11, 35).
6 And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart.
14 And the Lord relented from the disaster that he had spoken of bringing on his people.
11 “I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned back from following me and has not performed my commandments.” And Samuel was angry, and he cried to the Lord all night.
35 And Samuel did not see Saul again until the day of his death, but Samuel grieved over Saul. And the Lord regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel.
There are also passages that speak of God not changing or changing his mind (Num. 23:19; Mal. 3:6; James 1:17; 1 Sam. 15:29).
19 God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?
6 “For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
29 And also the Glory of Israel will not lie or have regret, for he is not a man, that he should have regret.”
We must also take into account the arguments from nature and Scripture that God is eternal, unchanging, and omniscient – even regarding the future (as in Isa. 46:9-11).
9 remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, 10 declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’ 11 calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it.
And we must also take into account passages that teach that humanity has free will, and that God is responsive to our prayers (Matt. 7:7-11).
7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
Options:
The passages that say God does not change his mind should be interpreted to mean his character doesn’t change but his plans can.
The passages that say God changes his mind should be interpreted to be accommodative language.
Option 2 has been the traditional answer through most of Christian history.
The Primary Lesson: God is Faithful
The Primary Lesson: God is Faithful
The primary thing for us to remember about the unchanging nature of God is that he is faithful. We can always count on him (Ps. 57:10; 89:1; 100:5; 2 Tim. 2:2).
10 For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.
1 I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord, forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.
5 For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.
2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.
To keep his promises (Deut. 7:9; 32:4).
9 Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations,
4 “The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.
To show mercy (Lam. 3:23; 1 John 1:9).
23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
To help us against temptation (1 Cor. 10:13; 2 Thess. 3:3).
13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
3 But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.
To save us (1 Thess. 5:23-24; Heb. 10:23).
23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.
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