God Never Changes

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“God is not a man, that he should lie. He is not a human, that He should change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?” (Numbers 23:19). In this story in Numbers, the Moabite king Balak tried three times to entice the corrupt prophet Baalam to curse the Israelites. But it turned out that Baalam blessed the Israelites three times instead. Baalam observes that God does not change His mind.

We learnt in the previous lessons that God is love, good and faithful. He is all-present, all-knowing and all-wise. How do these attributes relate to the unchanging attribute of God? Take this study to learn how knowing the unchanging character of God influences our walk with Him.

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God Never Changes

1. Bible students sometimes use the word “immutable” to express His unchanging character. What other words are used to define this attribute of God? Why does the Bible very often use the “rock” image to describe our invisible God? More thoughts...

“To say that God is immutable is to say that He never differs from Himself. The concept of growing and developing does not apply to God. In contrast humans will change or grow or deteriorate.” (A.W. Tozer) Here are some scriptural references for God as “rock”: 2 Samuel 22:2-3, 32, 47; Matthew 7:24. What is the significance of this attribute to your faith? (See James 1:17; Psalm 90:2; 102:26)

2. Read Isaiah 40:6-8. How does Isaiah describe the Word of God? What is the importance of this truth? More thoughts...

Consider also Matthew 24:35 & Luke 16:17. What do the authors use to highlight the characteristic of God’s Word? What are the differences and similarities between the metaphors used by the gospel writers (Matthew and Luke) and Isaiah?

3. Comment on this statement: “God’s way of dealing with people does not change.” Is it important to you to know God’s ways? Why? More thoughts...

King David was anointed by God as a young man to be king after Saul. He became a fugitive as King Saul chased after him for his life. How does David’s understanding of God’s unchanging character help him to respond to adverse circumstances? (See Psalm 18:30)

4. Read Exodus 3:11-15. Consider these two translations of verse 14. “I AM WHO I AM” (NKJ) and “I AM THE ONE WHO ALWAYS IS”(NLT). What does God’s name reveal about Himself? What encouragement does it provide to the Israelites? What is the significance of God’s name to you? More thoughts...

Read Genesis 12:1-3; 15; 17. The Lord told Moses that He is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. What did God remind Moses of by telling him His name? What are the attributes reflected by His name?

5. Read Hebrew 13:8; John 8:58; Rev 1:8; 4:8. How do these scriptures describe Jesus Christ? How does knowing the identity, nature and work of Christ, the Son of God become the anchor of your faith in this changing world? More thoughts...

Consider Jeremiah 32:40 and Hebrew 13:20-21. Covenants are relational agreements between two persons or groups of people. Biblical covenants are often between God and ancient Israel, based on deeds done by and promises made by God, which Israel accepted by faith in God. Some covenants are unconditional, dependent only on God’s character and will. Others are conditional, based in part on a response by Israel.

6. Read Genesis 6:6, Jonah 3:10 and Exodus 32:14. These verses seem to tell us about God “repenting” of something which makes people think that the reactions of God contradict the teaching of God’s immutability. How would you explain this difficulty in interpretation? More thoughts...

In the original Hebrew language, the word that is translated as “repent” or “relent” is “to be sorry for.” So it does not mean that a change has occurred. If God did regret creating man, why did He still save Noah and his family and let human beings continue to exist?

7. How do other attributes of God help in your understanding the “repenting” act of God? How does His goodness and greatness, justice and love work together? More thoughts...

Consider Psalm 106:45; Leviticus 26:40-42; Deuteronomy 7:9-11. How does your understanding of God’s covenant with the Israelites help us to understand the ways of God? What is the significance of obedience and repentance on our part in grasping the teaching of God’s character? (Check out the story of the Ninevites in Jonah 3:10)

8. Have you experienced God’s unchanging nature in your own life? If so, what did it look like and how did it affect your relationship with God? Yourself? Others? You may also share the story of someone you know. More thoughts...

Here are some scriptural references: Hebrew 6:17; Philippians 1:6; Ephesians 1:14

9. What additional thoughts or questions do you have on this study?

10. Please pray for me in these areas.

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God Never Changes

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