There’s a divergence betwixt a contradiction as well as a mystery.
Nothing virtually God is contradictory, as well as much virtually God tin hold upwards known. But in that location are likewise things virtually God that rest a mystery to us.(1)
For example: “Does God modify His mind?”
Numbers 23:19 says God doesn’t modify his mind.
But inwards Isaiah 38, God tells the proficient manful somebody monarch Hezekiah to lay things inwards social club because he's going to die. Then Hezekiah prays as well as God "changes his mind," giving Hezekiah xv to a greater extent than years.
God lives exterior time. He knew he'd reply Hezekiah's prayer earlier Hezekiah prayed it. He exclusively "changed His mind" inwards our express framework of time.
A contradiction? No.
A mystery? Yes.
Some believe God was highlighting the importance of prayer.
I am to a greater extent than inclined to believe God was showing us His perfect volition is improve than His permissive will.(2)
In the remaining xv years of his life, Hezekiah made proud as well as foolish decisions (Isaiah 39) as well as fathered Manasseh, the most evil manful somebody monarch State of Israel always knew.(3)
Hezekiah could convey died amongst a proficient record, but he didn’t.
There are no contradictions inwards God's grapheme as well as actions, but in that location are many layers of truth as well as mystery inwards them.
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(1) See If Understanding God Were Easy and Are You Uncomfortable amongst Mystery?
(2) God responds to selfish requests several other places inwards Scripture. He gives meat (quail) to the complaining Israelites (Numbers 11). Read more: Quail. He answered Israel's asking for a manful somebody monarch when it wasn't His perfect timing (1 Samuel 8). Read more: A King.
(3) This does non hateful nosotros shouldn't pray for healing. Hezekiah's province of affairs was unique. God specifically told him that it was his fourth dimension to die, but Hezekiah prayed for to a greater extent than years of life. Read more: Hezekiah.
Don't missy the other devotions inwards this series:
Does God Change His Mind: Nineveh
Bible Love Notes
