God Can Not Change?

[Jedi4Yahweh]

Does God change his mind?

We often read about how God does not change and that he is not one who can lie (Num 23.19), but, yet there are many examples where it clearly states God changed his mind.

For instance, God told Jonah to go declare his judgement on the people of Nineveh (Syrian Gentile City) because their evil has come before me and tell them in 40 days, I am going destroy their city (Jonah 3).  So, Jonah goes and preaches that in 40 days judgement is coming.  The people of Nineveh decided on their own to fast and repent. God then stated:

And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did [it] not. - Jon 3:10 KJV

Jonah become angry with God for changing his mind because now he looks like a false prophet and wanted to die.  God told Jonah that he should be happy that he changed his mind and spared many thousands of people.
--------------------
After Moses went up the Mountain to receive the Commandments.  The people of Israel rebelled and sinned against God and built an Idol (Gold Calf) and worshipped it and called it their god (Ex 32).  God became wrathful and told Moses, I am going to destroy these people and build you a new nation.  Moses pleaded with God to spare Israel and asked God to repent of this evil plan that you have against your people and the scripture state:

And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people. - Exo 32:14 KJV
-----------------
God sent Isaiah the Prophet to go tell King Hezekiah that he was going to die from his sickness (Isa 38.1).  King Hezekiah wept before the Lord and said, I have walked before you in truth and with a perfect heart and have done what was good in your sight. Scriptures says: 

Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years. - Isa 38:5 KJV
--------------------

There are many other examples where God said he was going to do something but later changed his mind.

So, my question is what does it really mean that God does not change???  Can God change is plans about certain future judgment events that he says will happen???
 

 

Edited September 24, 2022 by Jedi4Yahweh

[missmuffet]

Malachi 3:6 declares, “I the LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.” Similarly, James 1:17 tells us, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” Numbers 23:19 is clear: “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?” Based on these verses, no, God does not change. God is unchanging and unchangeable. He is also all-wise. So He cannot “change His mind” in the sense of realizing a mistake, backtracking, and trying a new tack.

https://www.gotquestions.org/God-change-mind.html

Edited September 24, 2022 by missmuffet

[NCAP]

And the LORD regretted that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. (Gen. 6:6 BSB)

[Anne2]

14 minutes ago, Jedi4Yahweh said:

Does God change his mind?

We often read about how God does not change and that he is not one who can lie (Num 23.19), but, yet there are many examples where it clearly states God changed his mind.

For instance, God told Jonah to go declare his judgement on the people of Nineveh (Syrian Gentile City) because their evil has come before me and tell them in 40 days, I am going destroy their city (Jonah 3).  So, Jonah goes and preaches that in 40 days judgement is coming.  The people of Nineveh decided on their own to fast and repent. God then stated:

And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did [it] not. - Jon 3:10 KJV

Jonah become angry with God for changing his mind because now he looks like a false prophet and wanted to die.  God told Jonah that he should be happy that he changed his mind and spared many thousands of people.
--------------------
After Moses went up the Mountain to receive the Commandments.  The people of Israel rebelled and sinned against God and built and Idol (Gold Calf) and worshipped it and called it their god (Ex 32).  God became wrathful and told Moses, I am going to destroy these people and build you a new nation.  Moses pleaded with God to spare Israel and asked God to repent of this evil plan that you have against your people and the scripture state:

And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people. - Exo 32:14 KJV
-----------------
God sent Isaiah the Prophet to go tell King Hezekiah that he was going to die from his sickness (Isa 38.1).  King Hezekiah wept before the Lord and said, I have walked before you in truth and with a perfect heart and have done what was good in your sight. Scriptures says: 

Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years. - Isa 38:5 KJV
--------------------

There are many other examples where God said he was going to do something but later changed his mind.

So, my question is what does it really mean that God does not change???  Can God change is plans about certain future judgment events that he says will happen???
 

 

I think it means when God swears an oath he will not repent of it.

Ps 110:4  The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

Hebrews concerning the priesthoods: order of Aaron was without an oath and can change. Order Melchizedek with an oath

16  For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.
17  Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: {confirmed … : Gr. interposed himself by }
18  That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

Covenant concerning seed of kings in Genesis 17 

15  Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. {covenant: or, testament }
16  Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
17  And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.
 

Also I believe these two Galatians and Hebrews are speaking of the same event/covenant, Royal/priests as promised Abraham/Sarah

Ge 17:6  And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.
Ge 17:16  And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her. 

1Pe 2:9  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

[HAZARD]

The Bible shows that God does change His mind. We speak of God's infinite care, yet He can only care for those that permit Him to help them (1 Peter 5:5-10). We speak of God as being immutable and unchangeable, yet He has had to change His plans, set aside His promised blessings, change prophecy that was based upon conditions, and do many things He did not first intend to do.

All this had to be done because of the failure on the part of those whom He was dealing. There are many prophecies and promises in Scripture based upon people meeting certain conditions (Lev. 26:3-45; Deut. 11:13-32; 12:1-32; 28:1-62; 30:15-20; Isa. 1:15-20; 55:1-13; 59:8-14). We speak of God as being impartial and no respecter of persons, yet He has been forced to be impartial to those that have obeyed Him. This is His plan. All can enjoy the plan if they choose, and concerning this, God cannot be partial and still be just.

[Jedi4Yahweh]

6 minutes ago, Anne2 said:

I think it means when God swears an oath he will not repent of it.

Ps 110:4  The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

Hebrews concerning the priesthoods: order of Aaron was without an oath and can change. Order Melchizedek with an oath

16  For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.
17  Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: {confirmed … : Gr. interposed himself by }
18  That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

Covenant concerning seed of kings in Genesis 17 

15  Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. {covenant: or, testament }
16  Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
17  And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.
 

Also I believe these two Galatians and Hebrews are speaking of the same event/covenant, Royal/priests as promised Abraham/Sarah

Ge 17:6  And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.
Ge 17:16  And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her. 

1Pe 2:9  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

What is the difference between an oath and what God says?  Isn't God's word stronger than any oath?

[Anne2]

1 minute ago, Jedi4Yahweh said:

What is the difference between an oath and what God says?  Isn't God's word stronger than any oath?

The difference is Change like scripture says

Heb 7:20  And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:
Heb 7:21  (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:) 

Heb 7:28  For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore. 

[Jedi4Yahweh]

11 minutes ago, HAZARD said:

The Bible shows that God does change His mind. We speak of God's infinite care, yet He can only care for those that permit Him to help them (1 Peter 5:5-10). We speak of God as being immutable and unchangeable, yet He has had to change His plans, set aside His promised blessings, change prophecy that was based upon conditions, and do many things He did not first intend to do.

All this had to be done because of the failure on the part of those whom He was dealing. There are many prophecies and promises in Scripture based upon people meeting certain conditions (Lev. 26:3-45; Deut. 11:13-32; 12:1-32; 28:1-62; 30:15-20; Isa. 1:15-20; 55:1-13; 59:8-14). We speak of God as being impartial and no respecter of persons, yet He has been forced to be impartial to those that have obeyed Him. This is His plan. All can enjoy the plan if they choose, and concerning this, God cannot be partial and still be just.

I didn't see any conditional statements in the examples that I gave.  I specifically chose them because of that.

Edited September 24, 2022 by Jedi4Yahweh

[Anne2]

23 minutes ago, HAZARD said:

The Bible shows that God does change His mind. We speak of God's infinite care, yet He can only care for those that permit Him to help them (1 Peter 5:5-10). We speak of God as being immutable and unchangeable, yet He has had to change His plans, set aside His promised blessings, change prophecy that was based upon conditions, and do many things He did not first intend to do.

All this had to be done because of the failure on the part of those whom He was dealing. There are many prophecies and promises in Scripture based upon people meeting certain conditions (Lev. 26:3-45; Deut. 11:13-32; 12:1-32; 28:1-62; 30:15-20; Isa. 1:15-20; 55:1-13; 59:8-14). We speak of God as being impartial and no respecter of persons, yet He has been forced to be impartial to those that have obeyed Him. This is His plan. All can enjoy the plan if they choose, and concerning this, God cannot be partial and still be just.

Galatians speaks of two covenants made with Abraham.

Genesis 15.. speaks concerning the seed of the fourth Generation. I believe Hebrews tells us which seed this literally is. Levi

Gen 15:13  And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;
14  And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.
15  And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.
16  But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.

4 Generations bolded. 1. Levi 2. Kohath 3. Amram 4. Aaron..........  

Exodus 6:16  And these are the names of the sons of Levi according to their generations; Gershon, and Kohath, and Merari: and the years of the life of Levi were an hundred thirty and seven years.
17  The sons of Gershon; Libni, and Shimi, according to their families.
18  And the sons of Kohath; Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel: and the years of the life of Kohath were an hundred thirty and three years.
19  And the sons of Merari; Mahali and Mushi: these are the families of Levi according to their generations.
20  And Amram took him Jochebed his father’s sister to wife; and she bare him Aaron and Moses: and the years of the life of Amram were an hundred and thirty and seven years.
 

Heb 7:8  And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.
9  And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.
10  For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.
 

The covenant made in Gen 15 of which are the many seed, IMO is Levi. Because they die, they are many priests.

Ga 3:16  Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

Heb 22  By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
23  And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:
24  But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.

[Jedi4Yahweh]

30 minutes ago, Anne2 said:

Galatians speaks of two covenants made with Abraham.

Genesis 15.. speaks concerning the seed of the fourth Generation. I believe Hebrews tells us which seed this literally is. Levi

Gen 15:13  And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;
14  And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.
15  And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.
16  But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.

4 Generations bolded. 1. Levi 2. Kohath 3. Amram 4. Aaron..........  

Exodus 6:16  And these are the names of the sons of Levi according to their generations; Gershon, and Kohath, and Merari: and the years of the life of Levi were an hundred thirty and seven years.
17  The sons of Gershon; Libni, and Shimi, according to their families.
18  And the sons of Kohath; Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel: and the years of the life of Kohath were an hundred thirty and three years.
19  And the sons of Merari; Mahali and Mushi: these are the families of Levi according to their generations.
20  And Amram took him Jochebed his father’s sister to wife; and she bare him Aaron and Moses: and the years of the life of Amram were an hundred and thirty and seven years.
 

Heb 7:8  And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.
9  And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.
10  For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.
 

The covenant made in Gen 15 of which are the many seed, IMO is Levi. Because they die, they are many priests.

Ga 3:16  Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

Heb 22  By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
23  And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:
24  But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.

Anne I appreciate your thoughts and wisdom, you seem well educated in the scriptures.  

Question are saying Messiah is a Levite?

I was doing a study on this not too long ago.  That Mary is a close relative to Elizbeth whom was considered a descendant of Aaron (Levite).  Which makes perfect sense that Mary was also a descendant of Aaron being that they are relatives.  According the Law only a Levite and more specifically a descendant of Aaron could only serve as a Priest.  Scriptures makes it clear that Joseph Jesus's non-biological father was from the tribe of Judah, but it seems Jesus's biological mother Mary was a daughter of Aaron (Levite).  This would give Jesus perfect right to be a priest even more High Priest.