The book of
Jonah is a very good example of the contingent nature of prophecy as well as the
contingent nature of God’s foreknowledge. For more on this and related topics,
see:
Russell
Ashdown's response to Eric Johnson, Is
It Fair to Compare Joseph Smith with the Prophet Jonah?
To see the
problem Jonah, the repentance of the inhabits of Nineveh, and God changing his
mind to traditional views of foreknowledge, consider the following where,
although the author argues for the “traditional” view of foreknowledge, based
on the plain meaning of the text, that God changes His mind (cf. Jer 18:7-10):
The
Repentance of Jehovah ([Jon 3:]10). “And God saw their works, that they turned form
their evil way; and God repented of the evil which He said He would do unto
them; and He did it not.” This is a statement as to the Divine action,
described from the human standpoint. “With God is no variableness neither
shadow of turning.” That statement in the Epistle of St. James is true with
respect to God’s providence and untrue with respect to God’s providence and
unfailing love. But throughout the whole
realm of Holy Scripture we are taught that whensoever man repents, God repents.
Human penitence transforms divine purpose. The Assyrian king had conquered
many enemies by his valour; he conquered God by his humility. For God’s
compassions fail not. “As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the
death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live.” (D.E.
Hart-Davies, Jonah: Prophet and Patriot [London:
Chas. J. Thynne and Jarvis, Ltd., 1925], 83-84)
