"God is not like men, who lie; He is not a human who changes his mind. Whatever he promises, he does; He speaks and it is done." - Numbers 23:19
"So the Lord changed his mind and did not bring on his people the disaster he threatened." - Exodus 32:14l
Interesting thread.
To my knowledge there are several incidents in the OT, during which God changes a course of action - usually in response to prayer. I suppose the question is, what was God's will in these situations in the first place? And how do we know?
On the occasion of sparing the Israelites who had gone astray and built a golden calf - had God planned to destroy them, and changed his mind because of Moses' plea (or rather a clever argument than a plea ...)? Or had God planned on sparing them in the first place, and was just waiting for Moses' request? Who knows?
For me, as a believer, it is encouraging to think that the prayer of one believer may reach God and prompt him to change his course of action ... (Out of interest, what is the Islamic view on this? Can intercessory prayer cause God to 'change his mind'?)
What the first verse is about, I will not even attempt to answer ... I don't know. I would have to do some serious reading up on Balak and Balaam ...
Perhaps somebody else knows?
Peace
Peace glo
Here I stand.
I can do no other.
May God help me.
Amen.
Come, let us worship and bow down •
and kneel before the Lord our Maker
[Psalm 95]
Christians, and Muslims I assume, believe that God is aware of past, present, and future. If God "changes" a course of action, it is because that was His course of action to begin with. Human beings have free will, and as Glo eluded, God is capable of reward and punishment. However, He does not simply "change His mind", but is aware of the cause and effect of events.
"Imagination was given to man to compensate him for what he is not, and a sense of humor was provided to console him for what he is."
Different rules for different people. actually Allah swt made it easier for us, bc of his mercy.
just imagine at the time of Moses a.s, when somebody's cloth was done with dirt (when u go to the bathroom), they had to change the whole cloth or cut that piece were it became dirty, whereas in Islam Allah made it easier, so we just wash it. There are a lot of things, which Allah swt made it easier for us. tha laws in Islam are much easier. so it doesn't mean that Allah changed his mind, it's just that he made it easier for us.
No, God doesn't change his mind. If he'd change his mind that would imply that new information swayed him to a different opinion. But God is omniscient, so there can't be something that he overlooked before changing his mind.
Well, there is abrogation in the Qu'ran as well, but I'll deal with that later.
It is analogous to a Professor who asks his students to perform 30 minutes of studying everyday for the first week. During the second week, he 'abrogates' his initial command and asks his students to perform 1 hour of studying every day. The Professor did not make a mistake initially, nor did he react to an unforeseen event. Rather, he had always planned to give a lighter load the first week to his students, and then increase the workload the next week because he knew they would be ready for it. In fact, he had his plan for the entire course written down and recorded. So when he initially gave the order to perform 30 minutes of homework, he knew that he would later abrogate this command.
It is analogous to a Professor who asks his students to perform 30 minutes of studying everyday for the first week. During the second week, he 'abrogates' his initial command and asks his students to perform 1 hour of studying every day. The Professor did not make a mistake initially, nor did he react to an unforeseen event. Rather, he had always planned to give a lighter load the first week to his students, and then increase the workload the next week because he knew they would be ready for it. In fact, he had his plan for the entire course written down and recorded. So when he initially gave the order to perform 30 minutes of homework, he knew that he would later abrogate this command.
During the nights journey, Allah was approached several times by mohammed and reduceed the prayer after negotiation from 50 to 30 to 20 to 5.
This was done "As a blessing" to the muslims, and "the 5 is equal to the 50".
But it's still changing his mind.
Last edited by Abdul Fattah; 06-18-2007 at 11:26 PM.
Occupation: The term of control of a territory by foreign military forces: Iraq 2003-2005 Liberation:when something or someone is freed: Operation Telic 2003
During the nights journey, Allah was approached several times by mohammed and reduceed the prayer after negotiation from 50 to 30 to 20 to 5.
This was done "As a blessing" to the muslims, and "the 5 is equal to the 50".
But it's still changing his mind.
Is there any mention of Him changing His mind? No there's not - so you don't have the right to claim that. Since He is the All Knowing.
Since there is authentic text which states that He is the All Knowing, and there isn't any text which states 'He changed his mind' - then that means that the former takes preference over the latter.
During the nights journey, Allah was approached several times by mohammed and reduceed the prayer after negotiation from 50 to 30 to 20 to 5.
This was done "As a blessing" to the muslims, and "the 5 is equal to the 50".
But it's still changing his mind.
I can see how you would come to the conclusion. But I think you should give God a bit more credit then that. He knew that Muhammed peace be upon him would ask that. So there was a different reason he said 50 at first, and allowed Muhammed to make it easier for us. there is certainly knowledge behind it, but I I am not certain so I will not indulge in speculating, and Allah subhana wa ta'ala knows best.
(ps I accedentially edited your post at first by pressing teh wrong botton, my apologies, still new to this moderating thing
With the greatest respect, the fact that it dosnt say he changed his mind dosnt mean he diddnt change his mind.
If I say a bloke asked me if i wanted an orange and I said no, an apple, then a grapefruit and finally a turnip. I'd be changing my mind.
The Turnip I could say is the same as the Orange, and I could accept it as such,and it genuinely be the same to me, but I would have changed my mind from my original request.
I may have a good reason for changing my mind, but change it I did.
Not the best allagory, and not meant to be disrespectful, but as to the point, it's rock solid!
Occupation: The term of control of a territory by foreign military forces: Iraq 2003-2005 Liberation:when something or someone is freed: Operation Telic 2003
Actually...does it matter if god changes his mind?
He's god so it's not like he's answerable to anyone!
Occupation: The term of control of a territory by foreign military forces: Iraq 2003-2005 Liberation:when something or someone is freed: Operation Telic 2003
With the greatest respect, the fact that it dosnt say he changed his mind dosnt mean he diddnt change his mind.
If I say a bloke asked me if i wanted an orange and I said no, an apple, then a grapefruit and finally a turnip. I'd be changing my mind.
The Turnip I could say is the same as the Orange, and I could accept it as such,and it genuinely be the same to me, but I would have changed my mind from my original request.
I may have a good reason for changing my mind, but change it I did.
Not the best allagory, and not meant to be disrespectful, but as to the point, it's rock solid!
Well it's not changing your mind if you do it because of a hidden agenda.
Well it's not changing your mind if you do it because of a hidden agenda.
Groan!
Theists! gotta love em!
Occupation: The term of control of a territory by foreign military forces: Iraq 2003-2005 Liberation:when something or someone is freed: Operation Telic 2003
Hey there! Looks like you're enjoying the discussion, but you're not signed up for an account.
When you create an account, we remember exactly what you've read, so you always come right back where you left off. You also get notifications, here and via email, whenever new posts are made. And you can like posts and share your thoughts. Sign Up
Hide
Looks like you're enjoying the discussion, but you're not signed up for an account.
Posting Permissions
Bookmarks