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Showing posts with the label Book of Hosea

Does God change?

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The Prophet Hosea, by Duccio di Buoninsegna, in the Siena Cathedral (c. 1309-1311) (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Hosea 11:8 says “How can I give you up, Ephraim?  How can I hand you over, Israel ?  How can I treat you like Admah ?  How can I make you like Zeboyim ?  My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused. Many would say that since God knows all things, he does not change his mind. Yet the Bible frequently speaks of God’s mercy in terms of God relenting from threatened judgment.  God’s intentions —both for blessings and punishment—are often tied to our response.  God in his sovereignty can make promises that are conditional, dependent upon the obedient response of his people.  God’s judgments can also be conditional, dependent on the continued refusal of his people to repent. Jeremiah 18:8-10 "and if that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned. 9 And if at another t