3. When God was seeking to kill Moses until his wife, Zipporah, interceded.
Near the beginning of the book of Exodus, there is a rather strange and enigmatic passage involving Moses and his wife, Zipporah. Moses had just finished arguing with God about whether or not he was the right person to lead the Hebrew slaves out of bondage.
“The Lord’s anger burned against Moses” (Exodus 4:14), and God sent Moses’ brother Aaron, to accompany him as a spokesperson. They left for Egypt.
“In a lodging place on the way, the Lord met Moses and was about to kill him. But Zipporah took a flint knife, cut off her son’s foreskin and touched Moses’ feet with it. “Surely, you are a bridegroom of blood to me”, she said (referring to circumcision, dedicating him to the Lord). (Exodus 4:24-25)
So, God changed his mind, and “the Lord left him alone” (Exodus 4:26).
Note that the Bible never explains why God intended to kill Moses. Perhaps, God was upset because Moses failed to practice circumcision, which was the sign of the Abrahamic covenant which set the Hebrews apart from all other nations. Maybe God was angry at Moses’ defiance of His command. But Zipporah’s quick, wise response saved Moses’ life.
4. When a Canaanite woman pleaded with Jesus to heal her demon-possessed daughter.
Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.” (Matthew 15:21-22)
He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel” (Matthew 15:24), meaning that His ministry was not yet meant for the Gentiles.
But the Canaanite woman “came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.
He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”
“Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”
And Jesus changed His mind.
Then He said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.” (Matthew 15:25-28).
Finally, what are the biblical requirements for changing God’s mind?
There is a common denominator which pulls together the actions of each of these people who asked God to change His mind and He responded.
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Bojani