Did Moses change God's mind?

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Did Moses change God's Mind?
By Dan Cafeo
and Jason Busa

Many believe that Moses was able to change God’s mind while on Mount Sinai. That God came very close to destroying the Israelites for their stubborn disobedience, but relented because Moses convinced Him otherwise. Is this true?

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The account of God’s displeasure with the Israelites for their rebellion in Exodus 32:7-10, and Moses’ subsequent intervention, appears to show that God changed His mind. But elsewhere the scriptures reveal that God’s mind is unchangeable. Does the Bible contradict itself?

The truth is, Moses did not change God’s mind. Yet, this erroneous belief persists, even among those in God’s church. It’s time people stopped believing destructive doctrines and understand the bible.

UNDERSTANDING ONLY COMES BY GOD’S HOLY SPIRIT

We can preach until we’re blue in the face, but many will still refuse to hear it. Or fail to see it. Why? Because understanding the truth only comes by His Holy Spirit (John 14:26). It enables us to read and understand the very mind of God, over time (Php 2:5). How much time? It’s different for every person. For most people it takes many decades. And we must understand the mind of God if we have any chance of being born into His family. Because He wants His perfect mind and character in us.

So, for those with God’s Holy Spirit, who may have heard that Moses changed God’s mind, and just accepted it without proof, let’s open the bible and really seek the truth of the matter.

A WARPED IMAGE OF GOD

Our adversary, Satan, uses many false doctrines in his arsenal of deception. One of his most effective false doctrines is his attempt to attribute to God, human frailties. Such as causing people to believe that Christ could have sinned while in human form (read our article, Could Christ Sin?), or causing people to believe that God is irrational.

These two false beliefs succeed in causing doubt in our Creator, therefore a perception that God has weaknesses or could make mistakes. And when a person begins to believe this—even if subconsciously—he loses trust and begins to rebel.

To prove that God has no weaknesses whatsoever, and that Moses did not change God’s mind, we only need to prove four simple things:

1. The Bible is a coded book.

2. God is perfect, without error.

3. God’s very purpose is to test mankind.

4. Humility is one of the top character attributes that God is looking for in a human being.

Only with these things firmly in mind, can we understand what was really happening on Mount Sinai, when it appeared that Moses changed God’s mind.

THE BIBLE IS A CODED BOOK

The Bible is not written in linear form. Very rarely can any one doctrine be proved from one scripture. It must be correlated and confirmed by other scriptures. It’s like a giant jigsaw puzzle that must be pieced together. Only then does the truth become clear.

The Bible is intentionally written this way to force God’s people to diligently search the scriptures. It requires time, and careful, exhaustive study. For example, look at an automobile. The engine that propels it forward is an amazing invention that is made of thousands of pieces. But you certainly can’t understand how an engine works simply by studying a radiator or fuel pump. They are only single components. It takes many components coming together to make the engine work. A good mechanic can’t diagnose an engine problem unless he has put in the time, and careful, exhaustive study to understand how all these pieces fit together. That’s how a mechanic becomes an expert in cars.

And that’s how God wants us to become an expert in not only His principles of life, but in understanding His very mind—who He is! We must “study to show ourselves approved” (2 Tim 2:15). We must “search the scriptures” (Acts 17:11). We must put the pieces together, “here a little and there a little” (Isa 28:9-10). We must “prove all things” (1 Thes 5:21). Only then can we be “wise” (2 Tim 3:15). In other words, we must WORK at it.

GOD IS PERFECT, WITHOUT ERROR

Repeatedly, the Bible affirms God’s perfection. Some of the words used to describe God are, “perfect,” “holy,” “righteous,” and “without blemish,” but they all mean the same thing... an absolute statement that God lives by His own perfect laws, which govern the universe, and yield peace and harmony.

Some of the scriptures which testify of God’s perfection are as follows:

“He is the Rock, His work is perfect: for all His ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is He.” (Deut 32:4)

“As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: He is a buckler to all them that trust in Him.” (2 Sam 22:31)

“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” (Matt 5:48)

“But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.” (Psa 22:3)

“Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at His footstool; for He is holy.” (Psa 99:5)

“But the LORD of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God that is holy shall be sanctified in righteousness.” (Isa 5:16)

“For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” (Isa 57:15)

“Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” (1 Pet 1:16)

“Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.” (Rev 15:4)

“Therefore hath the LORD watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us: for the LORD our God is righteous in all His works which He doeth: for we obeyed not His voice.” (Dan 9:14)

“How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” (Heb 9:14)

“But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot...” (1 Pet 1:19)

“God is not a man, that He should lie; neither the son of man, that He should repent: hath He said, and shall He not do it? or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good?” (Num 23:19)

There are additional scriptures, but these will suffice to prove the point. They paint a picture of a perfect, unfailing God, who can be totally trusted. A God who will fulfill His promises, one hundred percent of the time. A God who can never make a mistake. A God who cannot become irrational. A God who possesses supreme wisdom.

So why do people believe that God lost His temper with rebellious Israel and would have destroyed them if it weren’t for Moses? Simply because, to the untrained mind, it appears this way. But with the complete picture pieced together—by piecing together the scriptures—the truth becomes clear.

GOD’S VERY PURPOSE IS TO TEST MANKIND

Before any individual will be granted eternal life, he or she must be thoroughly tested. God is making sure that there will not be another Satan in the universe. Therefore, we suffer trials in life, which test us and build character.

“...we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope.” (Rom 5:3-4)

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” (James 1:2-4)

“Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.” (James 5:10-11)

One of the most profound tests recorded in the Bible is God’s command to Abraham to sacrifice His only son. We read of the account in Genesis, chapter 22. God said, “Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.” (Gen 22:2)

Abraham obeyed this seemingly unrighteous command unquestioningly, because he knew God was perfect and righteous. Therefore, he set aside his own feelings on the matter and put his faith and trust in God. Remember, God had previously promised Abraham that He would give him a son and also make his descendants as numerous as the stars in heaven (Gen 15:2-6).

This unquestioning obedience and faith in God fulfilling His promise, as well as the knowledge of God’s perfect righteousness was a supreme test. Would Abraham obey or not? What was his attitude? Was he totally trusting? After Abraham passed this test, God said, “now I know” (Gen 22:12). In other words, God knew then that Abraham would not rebel against Him. Abraham had proved himself loyal, even under the most extreme pressure.

A lump of coal only becomes a diamond under extreme pressure. Our trials, difficulties and experiences—and how we handle them—are what shapes us. God is now preparing a helpmate (or wife, Rev 19:7) for Christ. This helpmate is comprised of a few handpicked individuals, who will then help teach and train the rest of mankind (Rev 20:4). But in order to be proven loyal, we must be proven by overcoming trials and passing tests. This earth is a proving ground!

So now back to Moses.

Since we know God is only calling a few individuals now (Matt 7:14; 22:14) to be the helpmate or “firstfruits” (James 1:18), let’s take inventory of those in the Old Testament that God was working with, spiritually speaking. Turn to Hebrews and read chapter 11. You’ll find only a few individuals listed, beginning with “righteous” Abel (v.4). These individuals are essentially the only ones God was calling in their time. The greater calling came later, with the twelve apostles and the establishment of the Church on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-41).

Now look closely at the Israelites when God rescued them from bondage in Egypt. Out of all of those millions of people, how many people was God calling, spiritually? Just one... Moses. The miraculous events which occurred those many thousands of years ago, when God saved the Israelites, formed a blueprint or prototype for God’s plan, outlined by the annual Holy Days, beginning with Passover and Days of Unleavened Bread (Col 2:16-17). (Read the booklet: Pagan Holidays or God’s Holy Days—Which?) Those events also became examples for us (Rom 15:4). And they formed a testing ground for Moses, the one person that God was calling at the time.

HUMILITY IS ONE OF THE TOP CHARACTER ATTRIBUTES THAT GOD IS LOOKING FOR IN A HUMAN BEING

God said, “...to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.” (Isa 66:2). This scripture reveals one of the most important character attributes that God desires to see in us. A person with a “poor” spirit is humble, lowly and meek. A person who is “contrite” is repentant. God looks for humility, repentance and obedience. The very two attributes that Satan lost when he sinned and rebelled against God (Isa 14:12-15; Ezek 28:12-17).

When you’re humble and lowly, you don’t think much of yourself, which means you are teachable. Many people are not teachable. They think they know it all and there’s nothing you can teach them. The Bible reveals that God is not working with these kind of people.

Christ said, “Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt 18:4).

Christ said, “...whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” (Matt 23:12).

Both James and Peter said, “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” (James 4:6; 1 Pet 5:5).

Moses was called the “meekest” man on earth (Num 12:3). But meekness does not mean weakness. He wasn’t timid, shy or fearful (read Exodus 32:19-20). Rather, he was humble, not wanting the spotlight (Ex 3:11; 4:10-13).

THE ANSWER

Even though Moses was humble, God knew that a position of leadership or authority can cause vanity. Here’s the truth and the answer to the article title: the humility of Moses was being tested by God. Read it in Exodus.

“And the LORD said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people: Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation.” (Ex 32:9-10).

Notice that God said, “...I will make of THEE a great nation.” God is suggesting here that perhaps He should destroy the descendants of Jacob (Israel) and start over with the descendants of Moses. An offer like that would cause the average person to become filled with vanity. God is offering Moses a highly esteemed position and legacy—that his own descendants would be blessed instead of Jacob’s (Israel’s). What would you do? What if God told you that your name would be put in bright lights, like a theater marquee? Would you not be flattered and filled with vanity?

Think about it.

And think about this: later on, the very sin that Moses committed, which excluded him from entering the physical promised land is that he DID allow vanity to overcome him! Read it in the book of Numbers:

“And Moses took the rod from before the LORD, as He commanded him. And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock? And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also. And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed Me not, to sanctify Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.” (Num 20:9-12)

It appears that Moses made a “slip of the tongue” when he said, “must WE fetch you water,” but in fact, it was a seed of vanity that infected his mind. Moses failed to give God the credit for the astonishing miracle and instead took the glory for himself. His subsequent punishment was that he was not allowed to enter the promised land (v.12). God knew Moses’ strengths and weaknesses and he was being tested continually. And it’s no different for you and me.

We must understand the bible. We must put the scriptures together. We can’t take God’s word out of context, nor fail to understand God’s motives. So we must always ask “why?”

Did Moses change God’s mind?

We know better than to say, “yes.” Elsewhere we learn that God “doesn’t change” (Mal 3:6). God is always the same (Heb 13:8). “God is not a man, that He should lie; neither the son of man, that He should repent: hath He said, and shall He not do it? or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good?” (Num 23:19; see also 1 Sam 15:29). God said, “I am the LORD: I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass; it shall be no more prolonged: for in your days, O rebellious house, will I say the word, and will perform it, saith the Lord GOD.” (Ezek 12:25).

God is perfect. You can count on Him. You can take Him at His word. What He speaks He performs, without exception. God doesn’t change His plans according to man’s behavior. James tells us, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (James 1:17). Man is fickle, God is not.

Moses did not—and could not—change God’s mind.

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