Does the Lord Change His Mind?
Sorry this is an hour late than normal—I am traveling and I forgot to schedule this!
Jonah 3:10
When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.
Because of the Ninevites’ repentance and humility, the Lord does not bring upon them (at this time) the disaster that their wickedness had warranted.
Does this mean the Lord has changed his mind?
Short answer: NO.
The Lord has always promised blessing upon those who live righteously, and disaster on those who persist in wickedness.
Jeremiah 18 is a great passage that shows how the Lord is ready to act in whatever way accords with this overarching purpose.
Jeremiah 18:1-11
1 The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: 2 “Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will let you hear my words.” 3 So I went down to the potter's house, and there he was working at his wheel. 4 And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter's hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do.
5 Then the word of the Lord came to me: 6 “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done? declares the Lord. Behold, like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. 7 If at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom, that I will pluck up and break down and destroy it, 8 and if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I intended to do to it. 9 And if at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will build and plant it, 10 and if it does evil in my sight, not listening to my voice, then I will relent of the good that I had intended to do to it. 11 Now, therefore, say to the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: ‘Thus says the Lord, Behold, I am shaping disaster against you and devising a plan against you. Return, every one from his evil way, and amend your ways and your deeds.’
Trust and turn to the Lord today—he is ready to meet you.
