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Does God Change His Mind: Nineveh

Scripture says God doesn't change His mind, but the story of Jonah and Nineveh seems to be a contradiction. This 1-minute devotion explains why it's not a contradiction. #BibleLoveNotes #Bible

God knows what will happen before it happens. He sees the big picture. He has no reason to change His mind.

“God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change His mind.” Numbers 23:19

However, the story of Jonah seems to be a contradiction to this truth. God said He’d destroy Nineveh, but He "relented" and didn't destroy them (Jonah 3:10).(1)

 However, if we take a closer look we realize He didn't really change His mind because this type of warning has conditions explained in Jeremiah 18:7-8:

 "If at any time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down and destroyed, and if that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned."

 God would have carried out His plan to destroy an unrepentant Nineveh.

But the Ninevites repented and the warning no longer applied to them. They became recipients of God's unchanging promise to forgive and show mercy to those who turn to Him.

In like manner, God warns every man and woman that we will go to hell because we've all sinned and “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23).

But when we repent and turn to Christ, that warning no longer applies (John 3:16). 

God doesn't change His mind. His wrath against the wicked stands firm (John 3:36). But His mercy toward the believer also stands firm.

Depend on it!
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(1) Do you know why Jonah tried to run away? See Jonah 4:2. 

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Scripture says God doesn't change His mind, but the story of Jonah and Nineveh seems to be a contradiction. This 1-minute devotion explains why it's not a contradiction. #BibleLoveNotes #Bible

Bible Love Notes

3 comments:

  1. aApril 11, 2019 at 3:54 AM

    I really enjoy your "love notes", though they be small they are mighty.
    I have question in relation to this note. In Gen 18 v23 onwards how would you describe God's actions?
    Blessings,
    Heather.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gail @ http://biblelovenotes.comApril 11, 2019 at 12:48 PM

      Hi a,
      If I understand your question, you are asking if God changed His mind in this situation.

      It appears there were not even 10 righteous people in Sodom.

      So God destroyed it.

      This is in keeping with what He told Abraham.

      Delete
  2. next lifeAugust 21, 2019 at 1:50 AM

    i guess judgement comes in the end to all who refuse to obey. The opportunity was give to Lot to get out and he did. WE must not neglect the day of our salvation.

    ReplyDelete