This post is not so much a rebuttal, as it is the answer to the following question. I’ve seen this question posed to multiple Christians over the last few years and wanted to offer a response to it.
“The bible says in Hosea 11:9 that god is not a man. In Numbers 23:19 he is called not the son of a man and in Psalms 1:47 it is said he has full knowledge. Now, Jesus was indeed a man, who called himself the son of man, and he says he doesn’t know everything. Christians will say thy at was before he took on the body, and the attributes of man, but doesn’t this contradict Malachi 3 where god says he does not change?”
I want to directly address each of these claims and at the end of this article, and offer a short response that’s easy to understand in a one-on-one conversation. It’s important to be prepared to answer questions like this when they arise. Its not only important but also biblical, per 1 Peter 3:15 we are called to make a “defense to anyone who asks why hope is in us”. With this in mind lets get started.
Hosea 11:9: God is not a man
“For I am God, and not a man—the Holy One among you. I will not come against their cities.”
The context of Hosea 11:9 emphasizes God’s deep love for Israel, where the passage compares God’s moral perfection and mercy with human flaws. It declares that God does not act impulsively or unjustly, as humans often do. However, this verse does not limit God’s ability to reveal Himself in human form.
Even if one were to interpret the verse as limiting God from becoming human, it is important to recognize that Jesus Christ was not merely fully human; He was also fully divine. As Christians, we affirm that God did not cease to be divine when He became human in the person of Jesus Christ. The doctrine of the Incarnation, as articulated in John 1:14, teaches that God assumed a human nature in order to fulfill His plan of salvation. Hosea 11:9 speaks to God’s eternal divine essence, yet it does not negate His capacity to engage with creation through the Incarnation, in which He reveals Himself fully as both God and man.
See also, Philippians 2:6-7: “[Jesus], being in very nature God… made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.”
Numbers 23:19: “God is not a man, that he should lie”
“God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind.”
Here the claim is God’s statement that He is not a man or son of man seems incompatible with Jesus, who frequently referred to Himself as the “Son of Man.”
In context this verse shows God’s trustworthiness and consistency, contrasting Him with fallible, changeable humans. It does not preclude God from revealing Himself in human form but highlights His moral perfection. In contrast, Jesus doesn’t refer to himself as “A Son of Man” rather he is referred to as “The Son of Man”.
The term “Son of Man” is drawn from Daniel 7:13-14, where it refers to a divine figure with eternal authority. By using this title, Jesus connects His humanity with His divine mission.
Malachi 3:6: “I the Lord do not change”
“I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.”
The claim here is if God does not change, then taking on human form would contradict His immutability. I find this one rather weak, but lets do it anyway, Malachi 3:6 refers to God’s unchanging character, faithfulness, and covenantal promises. It does not imply that God cannot interact with creation in new ways. Claiming god cannot change is reflective of his physical being, its of his nature. The Incarnation does not change God’s divine nature. Jesus Christ is one Person with two natures—divine and human (the hypostatic union). His divine nature remains unaltered, even as He assumes human nature. Furthermore of this is a comparison that Jesus in fact did change, this contradicts Hebrews 13:8: where it states “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
Jesus’ Limited Knowledge in Mark 13:32
“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”
This is the go-to classic, “Jesus did not know everything so how can he be God” tactic. Jesus’ admission that He does not know the day or hour seems incompatible with divine omniscience. However, In the Incarnation, Jesus voluntarily accepted human limitations (Philippians 2:6-7). While His divine nature remained omniscient, He chose to veil certain divine attributes in His human experience to fully identify with humanity.
For further verses see, John 2:24-25: Jesus knew the hearts of all people, demonstrating divine knowledge. John 16:30: “Now we know that you know all things,” affirming His omniscience.
Conclusion
This is a very surface-level attack on the Christian faith but its essential to be prepared for it as this question can sometimes throw Christians off. In the event this question is posed to you I public, an answer like the following is concise enough to use, and leave room for further open dialogue.
“Hosea 11:9 and Numbers 23:19 highlight God’s mercy and divine nature, but they don’t rule out His ability to take on human form. Jesus refers to Himself as “the Son of Man”, not “a son of man,” emphasizing His unique divine mission, as prophesied in Daniel 7:13-14. Malachi 3:6 shows God’s unchanging nature, but this doesn’t mean He can’t reveal Himself in new ways, like in the Incarnation. Jesus’ limited knowledge in Mark 13:32 reflects His voluntary acceptance of human limitations, while His divine nature remained unchanged.”
