Does God change his mind (Numbers 23:19 & 1 Samuel 15:29)?

Too often, when we talk about changing another’s mind, the implication is that we moved them from a wrong belief to a correct understanding. Or maybe, that one was so persuasive that another moved from their current thinking - regardless of the truth of either position. There is a third space where minds or decisions change. A relational space where new actors enter the scene and others within the group, knowing there are multiple viable options, are willing to mold their plans to accommodate the new dynamic.

• Does God change His mind from a wrong belief to the right belief? - No.
• Does God change His mind from the correct view to a mistaken notion? - No.
• Does God ignore the right or wrong in a choice and change His mind because someone persuaded Him? - No.
• Does God change his mind in response to His children’s faithful actions? - Yes.

Balaam, Balak, and the Lord

In the story of Balaam, the prophet in Numbers 22-23, we see how three beings counseled and how the Lord responded as one in that council. All three had positions of power.

• Balaam was a non-Israelite prophet that was respected enough by the Moabite people that they thought that his words of cursing could change their lives.
• Balak was the king of Moab and had the power of a King.
• Finally, the Lord God of Isreal, with all knowledge, power, and wisdom in His hands, was the third member.

Another critical element of this council in Numbers 22 is that Balak wasn’t trying to have a council. He wanted prophets and God to do what he wanted. He feigned the council to make his voice more powerful. Balaam was persuaded by Balak’s power and glory and was willing to debate with God so that he could have a piece of the riches. God, the one that knows the end from the beginning, was not moved from his position of faithfulness. The story has many moments of a council between Balak and Balaam and Balaam and God, but none really between Balak and God. The story is a fascinating example of how not to work in a council¹. With that context we get to Numbers 23:19;

God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?

I love this verse for what it teaches about the promises of God. Does God ignore the right or wrong in a choice and change His mind because someone persuaded Him? No, He doesn’t, and Numbers 23 teaches us this.

Samuel, Saul, and the Lord

God talked to Saul in 1 Samuel 15:1-3 and provided direction. Saul went to ’totally destroy the Amalekites’ and found a few things he wanted to keep. God was not pleased with Saul’s choice to save the king and the property for himself. Samuel was sent to share God’s displeasure with Saul. There was a bit of a back and forth between Saul and Samuel, and we get to verse 29.

He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a human being, that he should change his mind.

I think verses 20 - 23 and the previous chapters help us understand why Samuel reminded Saul of Numbers 23:19 - that God is not a human being, that he should change his mind. Saul had shown his character, and God had spoken His word against that character. Once again, this group wasn’t a council. Saul was working for Saul, not for God. Does God change His mind from a right belief to a wrong belief? No, He doesn’t, and 1 Samuel 15 teaches us this.

Does God change his mind in response to His children’s faithful actions?

The example of Moses in Numbers 16 seems to share just such a message. In Numbers 16:20-35 and Numbers 16:41-48, we find two instances where Moses negotiated with the Lord in faith after the Lord had made a decree.

Separate yourselves that I may consume them (Numbers 16:21)

In verse 21, God states His intentions without equivocation, ‘Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.’ Moses then kicks into overdrive to persuade the Lord through prayer of other viable options, and the Lord responds to this prayer in verse 24-26 and changes His intentions based on Moses’s faith. He allows those that make a choice anew not to follow Korah to be saved.

Some might say that God knew all along that he wasn’t going to consume all of them in a moment. He was trying to motivate them to change and knew many of them would. Maybe, but I don’t think the threat was idle or only for a specific part of the Israelites. The story also indicates that it was Moses and Aaron that got the Lord to relent.

Get you up from among this congregation that I may consume them as in a moment (Numbers 16:45)

Within a day of many of Isreal being saved based on Moses and Aaron’s prayers, the Israelites complained about those of their brothers that were killed for following Korah. God returns and has returned to His previous intentions to ‘consume them ‘ when Moses puts his faith into action once again. This time the Lord’s decrees of consumptions had started their progress (verse 46) as Moses and Aaron prayed. Then in verse 48, God responds to Moses’ prayer, and the ‘plague was stayed ‘, and many survived.²

Yes, God will change his mind as he works with those of faith

He is responsive to His children, and His attribute of meekness explains just that point. Elder Maxwell helps us understand the type of meekness that God undoubtedly possesses³.

Meekness does not mean tentativeness, but thoughtfulness. Meekness makes room for others: “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves” (Philippians 2:3).

I agree with Gregory Boyd when he says, ‘The conclusion that the whole council of Scripture should lead us to is that God changes when it is virtuous to change, but is completely unchanging when it is virtuous not to change.’⁴ I am awed by our God that controls the universe while allowing all of us to have control as well. He is genuinely the most moved mover.

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