1
Nachem: Repent God repenting or changing his mind: The Bible uses the same Hebrew word nachem which means to repent, to be sorry, to be comforted when it speaks of God repenting or changing His mind as well as when it speaks of people repenting. The Bible, in 33 different verses speaks of God repenting or changing His mind or plans. God maintains control. What further insight does this give in the way that God does it? Jere 15:6 Gene 6:6-7 Jere 18:8 Exod 13:17 Jere 18:10 Exod 32:12 Exod 32:14 Jere 20:16 Jere 26:3 Numb 23:19 Jere 26:13 1Sam 15:11 Jere 26:19 1Sam 15:29 Jere 31:19 1Sam 15:35 Jere 42:10 2Sam 24:16 Ezek 24:14 Job 42:6 Joel 2:13-14 Psal 106:45 Amos 7:3 Psal 110:4 Amos 7:6 Isai 57:6 Jona 3:9-10 Jere 4:28 Jona 4:2 Jere 8:6
FFor each verse: a. b. c. d.
What is its context passage? Write the references that provide the context. What was going on in the passage/story? What was God doing? What does the verse show in relation to God’s will and the nature of His control over situations? 2. What view does the book of Jonah suggest regarding the idea that sometimes God may repent of a particular course of action and turn to another one instead: a. From the view expressed by the king of Ninevah? 3:9 b. From the idea expressed in Jonah 3:10?
3. Explain what it means for God to repent (relent, or change His mind). Support your answer with three scripture references and a brief description of each. 4. In 1 Samuel 15:29, Samuel tells Saul, “the Glory of Israel will not lie or change His mind; for He is not a man that He should repent”: Use the context of this passage of Scripture to discuss what is being emphasized here.