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NASB | Ecclesiastes 6:10 ¶ Whatever exists has already been named, and it is known what man is; for he cannot dispute with him who is stronger than he is. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Ecclesiastes 6:10 ¶ Whatever exists has already been named [long ago], and it is known what [a frail being] man is; for he cannot dispute with Him who is mightier than he. |
Subject: Such thing as a choice? |
Bible Note: Hi Tim, The original question used the phrase "God changes His mind". It might have been better to use the phrase "God changes His plan of action". Either way, I do agree with your outlook as to the Jonah situation. The insert below has some good points to it: Can our prayers cause God to change his mind? (Exodus 32:14) God does not change, but he will adjust his decrees to fit our response. The Bible contains many examples of this — the Hebrews on the outskirts of Canaan (Num. 14:11-23); Hezekiah's repentance on behalf of Israel (2 Chron. 29:3-10, 36); the sparing of Nineveh (Jonah 3:1-10). God's will is dynamic. As with any interpersonal relationship, God's relationship with humanity involves give and take. God accommodates his responses to ours; we adjust our responses to God's. So it can be said on this level, God sometimes changes his mind in response to our prayers. At the same time, God's will is determined. There are decrees and promises he has made that do not change. He kept his covenant with the Israelites (Deut. 7:7-8) and keeps his new covenant with us (John 6:37-40, 44). God wants us to follow his will obediently. He has predetermined ways he would like us to respond, but we have the choice to do them or not (Psalm 143:10; Heb. 10:35-39; 1 Thes. 5:18-18; 2 Peter 3:9). These three aspects of God's will work together. It is not possible for us to understand how, but God is ultimately in control. We might compare the relationship between God, his will and his people to a chess match between a novice player and a master. The novice can make any move he chooses and the master will respond accordingly. But the master will always be in control of the game. The analogy is limited and cannot be pressed further: God's people "win" when the Master's will is done. (Quest Study Bible, page 121. Copyright © Zondervan. Used by permission.) You are right, if everything is scripted then there is no freedom of choice! It is amazing how some like to put God in a box. I think the Pharasees were doing the same thing. The letter, the letter of the law kills. Too much theology can kill the Spirit, for in time it is no longer the Spirit that is teaching, but man. Some only believe what is written. Well, is there anything in the Scriptures that tells us what God is doing today, no, it is not in the Scriptures? Well, if it is not in the Scriptures then today never really happened, give me a break! Did people pray today? Did God answer prayer today? It's not in the Scriptures! Are we living in a vacuum? The Bible teaches us the basics of God, not the end of God! Is everything written in the Scriptures, NO, (John 21:25 KJV) "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen." Where is mercy if everything is pre-planned? terrib |