The concept of God's sovereign right to judge and relent is a central theme throughout the Bible, reflecting His ultimate authority and mercy. This dual aspect of God's nature underscores His holiness and justice, as well as His compassion and willingness to forgive.

Divine Judgment

God's right to judge is rooted in His holiness and righteousness. As the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, He possesses the ultimate authority to judge His creation. The Bible consistently affirms that God's judgments are just and true. In Deuteronomy 32:4, it is declared, "He is the Rock, His work is perfect; all His ways are just. A God of faithfulness without injustice, righteous and upright is He."

Throughout Scripture, God exercises His judgment upon nations and individuals who turn away from His commandments. The account of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19 exemplifies God's judgment upon wickedness. Similarly, the plagues of Egypt in Exodus demonstrate His power to judge a nation that opposes His will.

The prophets frequently warned of impending judgment due to Israel's disobedience. In Amos 3:2, God states, "You alone have I known from all the clans of the earth; therefore, I will punish you for all your iniquities." This illustrates that God's judgment is not arbitrary but is a response to sin and rebellion.

Divine Relenting

While God has the sovereign right to judge, He also possesses the sovereign right to relent. This aspect of His character is seen in His willingness to forgive and withhold judgment when there is genuine repentance. The book of Jonah provides a profound example of this. God sends Jonah to Nineveh to proclaim its impending destruction due to its wickedness. However, when the people of Nineveh repent, God relents from sending the disaster He had threatened. Jonah 3:10 states, "When God saw their actions—that they had turned from their evil ways—He relented from the disaster He had threatened to bring upon them."

The relenting of God is not a change in His nature but a consistent expression of His mercy and grace. In Jeremiah 18:7-8, God declares, "At any time I might announce that a nation or kingdom will be uprooted, torn down, and destroyed. But if that nation I warned turns from its evil, then I will relent of the disaster I had planned to inflict."

The Balance of Justice and Mercy

God's sovereign right to judge and relent is perfectly balanced in His character. His justice demands that sin be addressed, while His mercy offers forgiveness to those who repent. This balance is epitomized in the sacrificial work of Jesus Christ, who bore the judgment for sin on behalf of humanity, offering salvation to all who believe. Romans 3:25-26 explains, "God presented Him as the atoning sacrifice through faith in His blood, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand. He did this to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and to justify the one who has faith in Jesus."

In conclusion, God's sovereign right to judge and relent is a testament to His perfect nature, where justice and mercy coexist. His judgments are always righteous, and His willingness to relent is a profound expression of His love and grace.