John A. Davies
This chapter of The Mercy of God in the Old Testament considers God’s readiness to relent from punishment and to comfort and show empathy. God is paradoxically portrayed as changing his mind, yet being incapable of doing so. It is God’s character and overarching purpose that are constant, rather than an inflexible stance with regard to changing circumstances. Yhwh is celebrated as a God who comforts his people in their distress, notably in the Isaianic new exodus. In anthropomorphic language the Old Testament writers capture something of the emotional life of Yhwh, his apparent inner turmoil, but with his tender-heartedness and concern for his people winning out.