Science changes, God does not

The ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus stated, “The only thing that is constant is change.” As a physician, I have seen how our understanding of diseases and their treatment has changed over time as the science “changed”. Heraclitus was correct about change in our human experience but he was wrong when it comes to our God, Yehovah!

In Malachi 3:6 God declares, “For I Yehovah do not change.” The immutable character of God offers His children the reassurance that they need to face life’s challenges.

When Moses wanted to know God’s name He responded by describing Himself and then giving His proper name. God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM” (“Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh”); and He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM (Ehyeh) has sent me to you.’” God, furthermore, said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘Yehovah, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is My name forever, and this is My memorial-name to all generations (Exodus 3:14-15).

Yehovah is actually a combination of three Hebrew verbs: Hayah “he was”, Hoveh “he is”, and Yih’yeh “he is now and will continue to be in the future”. Together Hayah, Hoveh, and Yih’yeh combine into the name Yehovah. The reason for this lesson in Hebrew grammar is that it shows that God’s vary name indicates His unchanging nature.

God was reassuring the people that He would be with them, lead them, provide for them and protect them. “He was” all of these things to their forefathers. “He is” going to be this to them as He delivers them from Egypt. “He is now and will be in the future” gave them confidence He would continue to care for them throughout all of their generations.

The truth of Yehovah’s unchanging nature is repeated in Numbers 23:19 “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent (change); Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” David in Psalm 102:26-27 contrasts the temporary nature of creation, with the unchanging nature of its creator. “You are the same, and Your years will not come to an end.”

God describes His nature in Exodus 34:6-7, “And God passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “Yehovah, Yehovah, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished.”

Jesus, who is one with the Father, shares God’s immutable nature, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). “He was” with the Father in planning for our salvation before creation (Ephesians 1:4). “He is” the one who died for our sins. “He is now and will be in the future” our Lord, savior and coming king.