God changes his mind?
Here's an example of on of the many things I don't understand:
In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, "This is what the LORD says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover."If God doesn't change, then why does he change his mind? Why would God chnage things because of people praying?
Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, "Remember, O LORD, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes." And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
Before Isaiah had left the middle court, the word of the LORD came to him: "Go back and tell Hezekiah, the leader of my people, 'This is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you. On the third day from now you will go up to the temple of the LORD. I will add fifteen years to your life. And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for my sake and for the sake of my servant David.' "
2 Kings 20:1-6
Maybe he intended to change his mind all along once Hezekiah had humbled himself. But if YHWH was intending to heal him all along he would have been lying to say that Hezekiah wouldn't get better.
Another idea that came to mind is, maybe God really did intend to let Hezekaih die, but was emotionally moved by Hezekiah's misery, to the point that he was willing to change his plans, even though he was in the place of authority.
10 comments:
yeah man, God is a God of mercy and when he see's someone who has been faithful cry out to Him, he just can't bear it, the very nature of Him wills Him to take action in his wisdom and will.
I don't think it is a matter of God changing his mind but that when circumstances change sometimes so do the outcomes. In this the changing circumstance may be as what may seem as small as saying to God "God! please help" or like Abraham did in convincing God to not destroy all of the people in Sodom and Gamorah.
Ok, here's what I don't get. In the extra 15 years that God gave Hezekiah, he had a son called Manasseh who was particularly evil. In 2 Kings 24:3-4 it states that it was because of Manasseh that Judah was destroyed. So would it have been better if God had let Hezekiah die?
I believe God is always sovereign and in control. I also admit that our limited human brings might not understand all that about the Almighty God, yet I trust that whatever decision God makes is always the best.
I agree with what John said. I think its not so much a matter of God changing His mind [human thinking/perspective] but rather Him responding. Then...God does test us as well. Perhaps there are certain outcomes, consequences and so forth that will be the definite and God is willing to let those outcomes and consequences happen because of our free will. But being a God of mercy He is so willing and longing to forgive, to help, to answer but is just waiting for us to turn to Him and cry out. [Like He would let someone go to hell, but if they turn to him before they die and believe in Him...does God "change His mind" and let them into Heaven instead??]
Christop you've been tagged. There's a book meme on my blog. You just fill in the relevant headings on your own blog and then tag some other people. Have fun.
Kelly: But if God didn't change his mind, then wouldn't he have been lying when he told Hezekiah that he wouln't recover?
Perhaps at that point in time it may have been the truth. Hezekiah needed to hear that. However, when he cried out God let Him live longer. Maybe its just our human perspective that says, "That means God changed His mind." I dunno...perhaps God was telling the truth and DID change His mind. Does changing His mind (and being compassionate) mean God changes?? I don't think so. God's been for us right from the beginning. So maybe "changing His mind" is a part of who He is...
Jean Church (I have no idea who she is) makes this comment: "God is changeless. He will be unusual, He won't strike an average anywhere. He will get out of bounds and meet us on any level with His patience and His love and His bounty". God is changeless in His nature and compassion. There are other occasions where God changes His plans because someone prays eg Moses Exodus 32:10. I like Kitty's comment - I believe God is always sovereign and in control.
this is one of THE BIG questions - does God change His mind? (And one some people get very threatened if you ask)
For my thinking, scripturally you need to say "Yes" there are times God does things differently to what He initially said. Sometimes it is conditional - repentance brings a change in outcome, but other times it seems to be in response to prayer - as in Christop's initial post. If God doesn't change His mind in some sense it begs the question then "why pray if it has no effect or influence with God - if everything is already planned to the minute detail?"
I would be first to say that a lot of our praying is in reality getting our heart and mind in tune with God's but there is also the aspect of our asking and seeing things change
Another question that has been alluded to is, does changing His mind mean that God changes? I don't believe God changes in character or nature but is changing His thinking on a situation changing who YHWH is?
And in the foreknowledge He has does God fill in all the details or the broad brush strokes? How do free will, Sovereignty and authority fit together?
Long may the discussion continue ; )
In answer to the question - in the foreknowledge He has does God fill in all the details or the broad brush strokes? I don't think God does fill in all the details. In Psalm 32:8 God promises to instruct us and then tells us not to be like horses or mules that need a bit and bridle to control them, which I think means God has a direction for us to go in but leaves some of the details up to us.
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