God repents?

Yesterday's post generated some comment to the effect that God controls everything. I am not sure that the Bible states that clearly and consistently. I think that there are philosophical reasons for the claim that God controls all things. These beliefs then impact our reading of Scripture. We have assumptions about God which act as a filter, what confirms our beliefs is highlighted in our reading, what conflicts with it is often overlooked. It is not always conscious. (Sometimes it just happens because that is how humans are.)

One of the more surprising claims of the Bible is that God repented (i.e. changed His mind). It starts early on, too. In Genesis 6:6 ("And the Lord was sorry that He had made humankind on the earth, and it grieved Him to His heart.") the sorry state of humanity leads God to regret/repent making people. Obviously, the language here is remarkably anthropomorphic. God sounds human. His heart is broken. He rethinks the whole creation thing. No where does it state that God planned for things to be so crummy. In fact, it is fair to interpret the story in a way where God is really surprised (and disappointed) by how things turn out.

In Exodus 32 the Israelites, recently delivered from the oppression of Pharaoh and Egypt, are failing to act in a way which expresses gratitude and obedience. God sees the golden calf and the people engaged in "revelry" (another translation: they "amuse" themselves; that can't be good!). God tells Moses that He knows what kind of people Israel is. Basically He says, get out of my way so I can consume them. God is so mad He wants to wipe out His people and replace them with the seed of Moses. In other words, a micro-version of Noah, this time limited to the people of Israel and not the whole world. However, Moses stand against God and offers sage advice. Number one, it would be a PR blunder. The Egyptians would say God took this people out of Egypt with "evil intent" to "wipe them out." He further argues, point two, that God promised Abraham, Isaac and Jacob that He would make them a great nation and give them the land. In 32:14 we read, "And the Lord changed His mind about the disaster He planned to bring on His people." Once again, it does not say God faked Moses out to see what Moses would do. It said God changed His mind, and apparently Moses' arguments had something to do with it.

The third instance has to do with the kingship of Israel. Saul, a very tall young man, had the crown thrust upon him (1 Sam 10:1) while he looked for lost donkeys (1 Samuel  9). He was a warrior who fought battles for many years, but failed in his role as king. One error followed another and by 15:10 the Lord tells Samuel, "I regret that I made Saul king, for he has turned back from following me, and has not carried out my commands." What follows is the rise of the shepherd boy David, first as Saul's friend, then adversary, and finally David takes the kingdom as his own. It is interesting that David is arguably not much better behaved than Saul, but that is a question for another day.

What is also interesting is that right after God says that He regrets making Saul king, Samuel confronts Saul. Saul, impatient and impetuous, had offered sacrifices and when Samuel arrives he declares God's judgment. Saul has been disobedient, God rejects him as king. Saul confesses his sin and cries out for mercy, but there is no mercy. Saul grabs the robe of Samuel and tears a piece, which Samuel transforms into a parabolic prophecy. "Israel will be torn out of your hand." Then, paradoxically, Samuel makes it clear that the judgment is final. Because, "the Glory of Israel will not recant or change His mind; for He is not a mortal that He should change His mind." (Perhaps Saul might ask, "Well isn't He changing His mind about me?") As if to intensify the paradox, 15:35 repeats that God was sorry He made Saul king.

A similar counter claim is found in Numbers 23:18ff in the oracle of Balaam. "God is not a human being, that He should lie, or a mortal, that He should change His mind." So twice the Bible states clearly that God is not like humans, He does not change His mind. Now, I think that people tend to remember those verses which 'prove' their beliefs so, which verses are in your memory?

In three big events (creation/flood, exodus, first king) there is a stunning declaration that God regrets, repents, changes His mind. Yet we know God is eternal and all knowing, what then are we to think? Well, the greatest minds in Christian history have wrestled with this and written endless tomes about it. (Tomes are books by really smart people). I have never even written a coloring book!  I am not in the top 100 Christian minds of all-time. Not even an honorable mention. But I do think I have an obligation to address such things, mainly because there is a world full of disillusioned former Christians who cannot come to terms with some of the "paradoxes-or-contradictions?" which they experience. I think it does little good to ignore the question.

Does God repent? The Bible says He does. The Bible says He doesn't. Our theological position will dictate how we interpret the verses. I will offer my own stance tomorrow. But for today, I think we do well to humbly listen to the Word of God. To listen with mind, heart and soul. To hear. To pray. To seek understanding. God is revealing something to us in His Word. Let Him speak first. Then cobble together your theology, after you listen....