The idea that God can repent or change His mind is found several times in the Bible. This concept can be confusing or even troubling for some. How can an unchanging, sovereign God repent or change His mind? What does the Bible teach about God repenting?
There are several key passages where the terminology of God “repenting” or “changing His mind” is used:
- Genesis 6:6 – “And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart.”
- Exodus 32:14 – “And the Lord relented from the disaster that he had spoken of bringing on his people.”
- 1 Samuel 15:11 – “I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned back from following me and has not performed my commandments.”
- Jonah 3:10 – “When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.”
- Joel 2:13-14 – “Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.”
There are several key things to understand when it comes to the concept of God “repenting” or “changing His mind”:
1. It is an anthropomorphism – attributing human characteristics to God
When the Bible speaks this way, it is describing God in human terms which we can understand. However, God does not actually change His mind or alter His intentions like fickle human beings do. Rather, this language helps explain in human terms the complex relationship between God’s sovereignty and human free will.
2. God’s essential nature does not change
The unchanging God of the Bible does not contradict Himself or change His essential nature (Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8, James 1:17). When Scripture speaks of God repenting, it refers to a change in course of action, not a change in His perfect character or sovereign purposes.
3. God responds relationally to people’s choices
God allows His relationships with humans to be reciprocal. While His overarching plans cannot be thwarted, He may amend aspects of how He accomplishes those plans based on how people respond to Him. Therefore, God can be said to change His mind not in His eternal purposes, but in His relationships to temporal human events.
4. God’s statements of intended judgment are conditional
When God pronounces judgment for sin, there is an implied “unless” – unless the people repent and turn back to God, the judgment will come. When God “repents” of a promised judgment, it reflects His mercy toward those who have repented and turned back to Him. His intention was always to bring about repentance.
5. God tailors His plans to fit changing situations
While God has foreordained His sovereign purposes from eternity past, He adapts the outworking of those plans in history according to the actions of human beings and real-life situations. God’s repentance reflects how He wisely orders the unfolding of His plans in responding to mankind’s changing choices.
In summary, the idea of God repenting or changing His mind reflects the dynamic interplay between His sovereign will and purpose on the one hand, and genuine human free will and conditionality on the other. It highlights God’s mercy, His desire for relationship, and His wise ordering of complex temporal events – all without compromising His eternal nature and purposes.
Key Examples of God “Repenting” in the Bible
Looking closer at some of the key passages where God is said to have repented or changed His mind sheds further light on this biblical concept:
The Flood (Genesis 6:6-7)
God is grieved by humanity’s wickedness and regrets making mankind. But this does not mean He made a mistake in His original creation. Rather, it reflects His sorrow over the broken relationship between Himself and mankind due to human sin and evil. God determines to send the Flood as a just punishment, while continuing to show mercy in saving Noah.
The Golden Calf (Exodus 32:7-14)
God is justly angered by Israel’s idolatry and threatens to destroy them, disciplining them for breaking the covenant. But when Moses intercedes and the people repent, God shows mercy and relents from the full extent of the promised punishment. God’s intention was always to bring His people to repentance.
Making Saul King (1 Samuel 15:10-11)
God appoints Saul as king of Israel, but when Saul disobeys God’s commands, God expresses regret/repentance over making Saul king. This does not mean God did not know beforehand that Saul would fail. Rather, it reflects God’s sorrow that Saul did not follow in obedience, necessitating a change of course (replacing Saul with David).
The Book of Jonah
God calls Jonah to pronounce coming judgment on wicked Nineveh. But when the Ninevites heed Jonah’s warning and repent, God shows compassion and relents from the promised destruction. God’s intention was always to bring about their repentance and restoration.
Summary:
In these episodes, God responds to humans’ changing choices by adapting His temporal actions and plans accordingly. Yet His sovereign purposes ultimately prevail. God expresses genuine emotion, yet remains unchanging in His nature and character. And His grand designs for humanity’s redemption unfold without contradiction. The complex interplay highlights God’s mercy, relationship, and wise sovereignty.
Implications and Lessons
What are some key implications and lessons that can be drawn from the biblical concept of God repenting or changing His mind?
- All of God’s interactions with humans are characterized by genuine relationship, emotional engagement, and reciprocity within the framework of His sovereign will.
- God’s deepest desire in all His plans is for repentance, relationship, and restoration with fallen creation.
- God genuinely feels sorrow over human sin and rebellion which breaks His heart and necessitates judgment.
- God will amend temporal aspects of His plans in responding to human choices – without compromising His essential nature and eternal purposes.
- God’s promised judgments are not irrevocable – if people repent, He delights to show mercy and restrain judgment.
- Prayer and intercession are important – God invites us to appeal to His mercy so that His judgments may be averted or tempered.
- God reacts strongly against arrogance, presumption, and disobedience – which ignores His patience and mercy.
- God Sometimes expresses intention He hopes will never have to be implemented, out of desire to bring about repentance and obedience.
- Despite appearing at times to “change His mind”, God’s wisdom and foresight remain unparalleled – He alone sees and ordains the end from the beginning.
In summary, the idea that God can repent or change His mind reflects His emotional engagement and genuine relationship with mankind within the complex interplay between divine sovereignty and human free will. This concept highlights God’s mercy, wisdom, and desire for our repentance and restoration within the outworking of His unchanging sovereign purposes throughout history.
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