And the Lord changed his mind about the disaster that he planned to bring on his people.” vs. 14
Exodus 32:11-14
The Israelites believed that their survival as a people had been dependent on great leaders like Moses who were able to even change the mind of the Lord. Their forefathers had deserved punishment for their disobedience, but the Lord listened to Moses and spared them. It may seem strange for us to think of God as a being whose mind can be changed–we perhaps understand God in a very different way. But the story does remind us just how important mind-changing can be in the course of our journey. We grow up with all kinds of convictions about how life should be, and initially our worlds are pretty black and white–but sooner or later we are going to be challenged. In those moments we can either stand by our old prejudices and allegiances, or we can change our minds. Those moments of decision will have a profound effect on our relationships–standing firm could mean the loss of a dear friend or family member. On the other hand, changing our minds opens doors to a new understanding of the world. And if, as our faith ancestors believed, the mind of God could be changed, then surely the same thing can happen for us. In fact, it’s only because people change their minds that the world itself can be changed for the better. Change is the core of repentance and our hope for the future.
Thought for the Day: When have I changed my mind?
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