However, we know from several other examples in The Bible that plans change:
- Abraham And Isaac: Abraham was told by God to sacrifice his son Isaac. Abraham made all the preparations to do so, but at the last moment an angel of the LORD stopped him. The plans changed and Abraham sacrificed a ram instead. (Genesis 22:1-18, NIV)
- Ahab And Elijah: Ahab wanted Naboth's vineyard, but Naboth wouldn't sell. Jezebel (Ahab's wife) had Naboth killed and Ahab took his vineyard. Elijah was sent by God to tell Ahab that God would destroy him, his wife and his descendants. When Ahab heard this, he repented. God heard him and the plans changed. What had been decreed against him wouldn't take place in his day, but in the days of his son. (1 Kings 21, NIV)
- Hezekiah And Isaiah: Hezekiah was ill and God sent Isaiah to tell him that he would die. After Isaiah left, Hezekiah prayed to the LORD. God heard him and the plans changed. God sent Isaiah back to him to tell him that 15 more years had been added to his life. (2 Kings 20, NIV)
- Jonah And The People of Nineveh: God sent Jonah to tell the people of Nineveh that the city would be destroyed. When the king heard of it, the entire city repented. God heard them and the plans changed. The city would not be destroyed. (Jonah 3, NIV)
Our relationship with God is exactly that, it's a relationship. It's dynamic and it changes from moment to moment based on our interaction with Him. Ask God to help you and He will.
There's no contradiction between Deuteronomy 18:22 and the other examples. Deuteronomy 18:22 is talking about how a level of attainment called 'prophet' corrects a desire. The other examples are different states within our internal qualities.
In everything we do, we should seek to benefit others instead of ourselves.
Copyright © 2014, Carter Kagume. All Rights Reserved.
