KEY SCRIPTURE: Num 23:19 KJV God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

In our previous study, we considered some aspects of God’s being that do not change. Well God does not change in any aspect of His being. We are taking a look into certain aspects of His being so when relating to Him, we would give Him the best response concerning His nature. We have considered His immutability in His nature and His attributes. Today we would consider other areas.

First, we look at His immutability in His counsel. God never varies in His counsel. Some may object to this when they read, Gen 6:6 KJV “And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.” Your first response is, that we know the scriptures do not contradict themselves. From our key scripture, God reveals He is not a man that He should lie, or the son of man that He should repent. The explanation is simple; When speaking of Himself God relates to our limited capacities as men. He describes Himself as clothed with bodily members such as eyes, ears, and hands.

He speaks of Himself as ” waking” up (see Ps 78:65), as rising early(Jeremiah 7:13); yet He neither slumbers nor sleeps. When He institutes a change in His dealing with men, He describes His course of conduct as ” repenting ” (Gen 6:6). These are figurative terms that bring home to our understanding of His action. His word states that, when men honour Him, He will honour them, if they dishonour Him, he will change from honour to dishonour them. This is not a change in His counsel, rather it is very consistent with His nature.

God our Father is indeed Immutable in His counsel” The gifts and calling of God are without repentance” Rom 11:29. It must be so, for ‘ He is in one mind and who can turn Him? and what His soul desireth that He doeth. Balaam could not change His counsel to Him, though he tried to ‘ bribe’ him with several sacrifices. Numbers 23:1-10. It is a big error to expect God to change His counsel or mind on any issue He has instructed you. If you persist in seeking Him to change His counsel, He would only allow you to pursue your desire but note that is not His counsel.

When Balaam kept insisting on God accepting his view, God allowed him, but on the way, He showed him His anger against Balaam’s disobedience, by making his donkey speak to him when the angel of the Lord stood in his path to slay him. (Num 22:1-31 Pls read through the passage) May we learn from this story and never be hardened against God’s counsel.

PRAYER

Dear Father thank you for your love and wisdom that determines every counsel you give us. We will always humbly accept all that you instruct us. Indeed, your instructions are our life, and by doing them we prolong our days and it always goes well with us.

THOUGHT: GOD WILL NOT CHANGE HIS COUNSEL, DO NOT SEEK TO CHANGE IT.

FURTHER STUDIES

READ NUM 22:1-31