Does God change his mind? I Samuel 15:10-11, 15:35, and Genesis 6:6-7 suggest yes, while I Samuel 15:29 suggests no. How do these contradictions reconcile? I. The Question and Its Importance Questions about whether God changes His mind arise from passages that appear to give contradictory statements. On one hand, verses such as 1 Samuel 15:10–11 and 15:35 say that God regretted making Saul king; on the other hand, 1 Samuel 15:29 insists that God “does not lie or change His mind.” Similar wording appears in Genesis 6:6–7 (God regretting making humanity) and Exodus 32:14 (God relenting from judgment). These verses can be puzzling when considered side by side. Understanding these passages in harmony is essential for a full view of God’s character and ensures consistency across Scripture. II. Key Scriptures and Apparent Tension 1. “Then the word of the LORD came to Samuel, saying, ‘I regret that I have made Saul king…’” (1 Samuel 15:10–11). 2. “Moreover, the Glory of Israel does not lie or change His mind, for He is not a man, that He should change His mind.” (1 Samuel 15:29). 3. “And the LORD regretted that He had made Saul king over Israel.” (1 Samuel 15:35). 4. “And the LORD regretted that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him in His heart.” (Genesis 6:6). 5. “So the LORD relented from the calamity He had threatened to bring on His people.” (Exodus 32:14). At first glance, the text in 1 Samuel 15 appears contradictory, with verses 10–11 and 35 each stating God “regretted,” while verse 29 insists God “does not…change His mind.” The parallel examples in Genesis and Exodus add weight to the question: does God truly change His mind, or is there another explanation? III. The Meaning of “Regret” or “Repent” in Hebrew The Hebrew word typically translated “repent,” “relent,” or “regret” is נָחַם (nacham). This single term can carry the ideas of sorrow, a change of course, or a feeling of deep grief. When Scripture applies the term to God, it does not imply a moral failing or a lapse in knowledge—God does not sin or learn new information that would force Him to revise His plan. Instead, “nacham” in these contexts reflects God’s sorrow over humanity’s corruption or rebellion, as well as His dynamic response within a relationship. IV. God’s Immutable Nature Scripture affirms that God’s essential character and ultimate will do not change. Several passages underscore this truth: • “Moreover, the Glory of Israel does not lie or change His mind, for He is not a man, that He should change His mind.” (1 Samuel 15:29). • “I the LORD do not change.” (Malachi 3:6). • “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8). Such verses reveal that God’s holy nature, foreknowledge, eternal purposes, and moral perfections remain forever unaltered. He does not vacillate in the way that human beings do. V. Anthropomorphic Language A helpful way to resolve these tensions is to recognize that Scripture uses human language (anthropomorphisms) to describe God’s actions and attitudes. Phrases like “God regretted” or “the LORD relented” picture God’s heartbreak or willingness to show mercy within the flow of human events. This does not indicate a defect in God’s omniscience or a real shift in His eternal plan; rather, it conveys that God is personally involved with His creation. In the case of Saul, God foreknew Saul’s failure long before it happened. Yet God’s “regret” communicates genuine grief over Saul’s disobedience and its tragic consequences. Likewise, in Genesis 6, “the LORD regretted” underscores how deeply sin grieves God. VI. Scriptural Examples of God’s “Relenting” • Genesis 6:6–7: God’s regret over creating humanity does not suggest surprise; rather, He expresses sorrow over rampant sin while still preserving a faithful remnant (Noah and his family). • Exodus 32:14: When Moses intercedes on behalf of Israel, “the LORD relented from the calamity He had threatened.” God had already promised to bless Abraham’s descendants, but this moment shows God’s interaction with human prayer and repentance. His eternal promise stands, yet He “turns aside” from immediate judgment to fulfill mercy. • Jonah 3:10 (though not part of the immediate references, it is another famous example): When Nineveh repents, God withholds destruction, illustrating how He responds to genuine change in human behavior. Collectively, these passages demonstrate that God’s “relenting” does not conflict with His knowledge or changeless purpose but, rather, highlights His personal engagement and responsiveness to people. VII. Philosophical and Behavioral Insights From a philosophical perspective, an infinite and omniscient God outside of time already knows every viewpoint of what occurs. He does not need new information that forces Him to revise His eternal plan. However, human beings live within time, experiencing and responding to events one moment at a time. Scripture bridges this gap by describing God in active, relational terms. Even the language of “regret” aims to communicate that God genuinely experiences sorrow over evil and responds with appropriate judgment or mercy. He interacts with people’s decisions, holding them accountable while still accomplishing His unchanging will. Behaviorally, these narratives encourage believers to take sin seriously, since it truly grieves God’s heart, and also to pray earnestly, knowing God engages with heartfelt petitions. VIII. Resolving the Specific Case in 1 Samuel 15 In 1 Samuel 15, the text twice states that God “regretted” making Saul king (vv. 11, 35) but also says God “does not…change His mind” (v. 29). These statements coexist because: 1. Grief Over Saul’s Rebellion: Verses 10–11 and 35 depict God’s sorrow over Saul’s failure and the destructive outcome of his disobedience. 2. God’s Unchangeable Decree: Verse 29 highlights that God’s overarching intention—His judgment upon Saul and choice of David—remains unwavering. In other words, God is not backtracking or undoing His plan; He had always known Saul’s heart, yet genuinely grieves the king’s path. Thus, the “regret” language describes God’s emotional response while the statement of His immutability highlights His unalterable will. IX. Manuscript Evidence and Consistency Ancient manuscripts, including those represented among the Dead Sea Scrolls, show that these verses have been preserved with remarkable accuracy across centuries. Variations do not alter the meaning of the passages in question. The fact that the same chapter in 1 Samuel presents both “God regrets” and “God does not change His mind” underscores the author’s clear intention to communicate both truths in harmony. Such references also align with the rest of Old Testament and New Testament teaching on God’s nature. X. Conclusion In answer to the question, “Does God change His mind?” Scripture provides a dual perspective: • He does not change in His essence, foreknowledge, or eternal plan. His character, moral will, and divine purpose remain constant. • He does “regret” or “relent” in relational terms, expressing genuine sorrow or compassion in response to human actions. These statements reveal His love and personal engagement with individuals, rather than a literal change wrought by new information or unforeseen developments. Where one passage says God regretted and another insists He does not change His mind, there is no theological or textual contradiction. Both are revelations of the same reality: He is the unchanging Creator, and within human history He responds dynamically to moral choices, injustice, repentance, and prayer. This truth offers hope, accountability, and comfort, assuring that while God’s eternal plan stands firm, He graciously meets us in real time, forever true to His unchanging nature and love. |
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