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Underlying almost the whole scheme of revelation is the basic fact that the Lord
changes not. If God could change, an element of uncertainty would enter into the whole
fabric of the universe. His holiness and righteousness would be tarnished, His promises
would become uncertain, and the gospel would lose its power. Christ may die and be
raised again, but if God can change, all may be rendered null and void. Before, therefore,
we attempt to speak of God's holiness, His righteousness, His power or His love, we
must receive the assurance of the Word concerning His unchangeableness.
Were we attempting to write theological essays, we should speak of the necessary
immutability of the Divine Essence, and show that we cannot speak of the possibility of
change without introducing the idea of imperfection and the possibility of improvement.
These matters, however, do not come within the scope of revelation. We cannot
understand the Essence and Being of God considered absolutely; we must begin where
He begins, in His relation with man, time and place. The words of Mal. 3: 6 are not
written to reveal the Divine Essence; they are concerned with God's attitude towards His
erring people with respect to His own purposes of grace:--
"For I am the Lord, I change not: therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed"
(Mal. 3: 6).
Parallel with this passage are the words of Rom. 11: 28, 29:--
"As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the
election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. For the gifts and calling of God are
without repentance."
In this respect, God contrasts Himself with man:--
"God is not a man, that He should lie; neither the son of man, that He should repent"
(Numb. 23: 19).
"The Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent; for He is not a man that He should
repent" (I Sam. 15: 29).
The passage already quoted from Heb. 6: 17 speaks particularly of the "immutability
of His counsel". This is seen in the many scriptures that speak of His unchanging word,
His unalterable purpose, His "everlasting" love:--
"The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever (to the age), the thoughts of His heart to all
generations" (Psa. 33: 11).
Speaking of the Lord as the Giver of all good gifts, James says:--
"Do not err, my beloved brethren. 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: 16, 17).
The unchanging Christ is the Rock upon which the whole of the epistle to the Hebrews
is built:--