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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. |
Subject: Can we change God's Will? |
Bible Note: Does God change His mind? 'Psalm 102:25-27 says “Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens [are] the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: But thou [art] the same, and thy years shall have no end.” Also, Malachi 3:6 says “ For I [am] the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.” And finally, James 1:17 tells us “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” 'These verses assert that God is unchanging, and unchangeable. However, it can seem that there is a contradiction between what is taught by these verses, and other verses such as Genesis 6:6 “And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.” Also, Jonah 3:10 which says “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.” Both of these verses speak of the Lord repenting of something, and can seem contrary to verses that teach that God is unchanging. However, close examination of these passages reveals that these are not truly indications that God is capable of changing. The key to these verses is the word “repent.” In the original language, the word that is translated as “repent” is the same in both verses. The word is the Hebrew expression of “to be sorry for.” Being sorry for something does not mean that a change has occurred, it simply means that there is regret for something having taken place. 'Consider in Genesis 6:6, that “…it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth,” This verse even goes on to say “…it grieved him at his heart.” This verse comes right out and says that God had regret for creating man. However, obviously He did not reverse his decision; instead, through Noah, He allows man to continue to exist. You and I are living proof that God did not change His mind about creating man. Also, the context of this passage is a description of the sinful state man was living in, and it is man’s sinfulness that triggered God’s sorrow, not man’s existence. Consider what Jonah 3:10 says “…and God repented of the evil, that he said that he would do unto them, and he did it not.” Again, the same Hebrew word is used here, which expresses “to be sorry for.” Why was God sorry for what he had planned for the Ninevites? Because they had a change in heart, and as a result, changed their ways from disobedience to obedience. 'Romans 3:23 teaches us that all men sin, and fall short of God’s standard. Romans 6:23 states that the consequence for this is death (spiritual and physical.) So, the people of Nineveh were deserving of punishment. All of us face this same situation, as it is man’s choice to sin that separates us all from God. Man cannot hold God responsible for his own predicament. So it would be contrary to the character of God to not punish the Ninevites had they continued in sin. However, the people of Nineveh turned to obedience, and for that the Lord chose not to punish them as He had originally intended. Did the change on the part of the Ninevites obligate God to do what he did? Absolutely not! God cannot be placed in a position of obligation to man. God is good and righteous, and chose not to punish the Ninevites as a result of their change of heart. (By the way, God still offers salvation to all that turn to Him!) If anything, what this passage does is point to the fact that God does not change, because had the Lord not preserved the Ninevites, this would be contrary to the character of God. 'What all this boils down to, is an examination of the grammar and context. The word that is translated “repent” or “repented” simply means “to be sorry for” and does not indicate a change, but simply a state of regret. Further, neither of these passages shows that a change in the character of God occurred, or that God did something contrary to His character.”' Recommended Resource: Knowing God by J.I. Packer. Related Topic: What is the immutability of God? ____________________ http://www.gotquestions.org/God-change-mind.html |