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NASB | Malachi 3:6 "For I, the LORD, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Malachi 3:6 "For I am the LORD, I do not change [but remain faithful to My covenant with you]; that is why you, O sons of Jacob, have not come to an end. |
Bible Question:
I agree, with confidence, that the Lord is "the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow." This is a refrain through scripture, in praise passages or teaching passages. Yes, in narrative passages, we sometimes get another impression. I think of Moses on the mountain, petitioning on behalf of the Israelites, and God yeilding to his request for mercy. Or Abraham having a similar conversation with God about Sodom. Now, was God playing games with these two, or did God's mind change? I can see a consistent principle of character running through both of these, which runs through the whole canon, of just wrath being overcome by compassion... so maybe there isn't a change on the grand scheme but somehow, on the small scheme, God's mind changed? God's heart is shown as very complex --- such as in Hosea 11, wanting to violently purge the people, but having such a tender love that the violence is impossible. Is this an anthropomorphic moment, reading a human father's complexity into the heart of God -- or is God's heart really torn in these ways? Immutably torn? |
Bible Answer: Please see "Does God Change His Mind?" ID# 162989 It's impossible for God to mete out violent judgment? See the stories of the flood in Noah's time, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorah, the account of Pharoah's army being drowned in the sea, etc. Moreover, our forgiveness isn't based on God's love alone. God is a just God. His justice is perfect. There would be no forgiveness without the violent death of His Son on the cross. |