Reply To: Theology Discussion Board

[Humble oluchi God’s power]

Here are some examples in the Bible where God appears to change His mind or relent from a previous decision:

1. The Story of Jonah and Nineveh(Jonah 3:1-10): God initially instructed Jonah to preach judgment to the city of Nineveh, warning of its destruction in 40 days (Jonah 3:4). However, after the people of Nineveh repented, God relented and spared the city (Jonah 3:10).

2. The Story of Hezekiah’s Illness(2 Kings 20:1-11, Isaiah 38:1-22): God told Hezekiah through the prophet Isaiah that he would die from his illness (2 Kings 20:1, Isaiah 38:1). However, after Hezekiah prayed and wept, God added 15 years to his life (2 Kings 20:6, Isaiah 38:5).

3. The Story of the Israelites in the Wilderness (Exodus 32:1-14, 33:1-6): God was angry with the Israelites for worshiping the golden calf and threatened to destroy them (Exodus 32:10). However, after Moses interceded on their behalf, God relented and spared them (Exodus 32:14).

4. The Story of Abraham’s Intercession for Sodom(Genesis 18:16-33): God told Abraham that He would destroy Sodom and Gomorrah due to their wickedness (Genesis 18:20-21). However, after Abraham interceded on behalf of the cities, God agreed to spare them if He found at least 10 righteous people (Genesis 18:26-33).

5. The Story of David’s Census(2 Samuel 24:1-17, 1 Chronicles 21:1-17): God was angry with David for taking a census of the Israelites and threatened to punish them (2 Samuel 24:1-2). However, after David repented and offered sacrifices, God relented and spared the people (2 Samuel 24:16-17

6. Amos 7:3: “The Lord changed His mind about this. ‘It shall not be,’ said the Lord.”

(In this passage, God relents from sending a plague upon Israel after Amos intercedes on their behalf.)

7. Amos 7:6: “The Lord changed His mind about this. ‘This too shall not be,’ said the Lord God.”

(In this passage, God relents from sending fire upon Israel after Amos intercedes on their behalf.)

8. Genesis 6:6-7: “The Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. The Lord said, ‘I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky; for I am sorry that I have made them.'”
9.1 Samuel 15:35 Samuel did not see Saul again until the day of his death; for Samuel grieved over saul because the lord has changed his mind him as king over Israel .
( In this passage, the lord God changes his mind about Saul being king over Israel and decided to reject him)

In each of these cases, God’s “change of mind” is not a contradiction of His original plan, but rather a demonstration of His mercy, compassion, and desire to bless and forgive His people. Here are some examples of places in the Bible where God appears to change His mind: