Within one chapter of 1 Samuel we get seemingly contradictory portraits of God’s knowledge:

15:29 – “Moreover the Glory of God of Israel will not recant or change his mind: for his is not a mortal, that he should change his mind.”

15:11 – “I regret that I made Saul king, for he has turned back from following me, and has not carried out my commands.”

It would seem that if one does not change their mind, they couldn’t regret something.  If God’s vision of the future is exhaustive, how can he do something that he would “later” regret?  I have always heard that biblical texts that present aspects of God that seem to give him human attributes are merely examples of the Bible “speaking on our level” since we are not perfect and all knowing individuals and the Bible must accommodate our shortcomings; but if we aren’t all knowing, how could we possibly possess the ability to distinguish which biblical texts to take literally?  What are we to do with such texts?

Judges 8:27 – what is the purpose of this story (Israelites worshipping Gideon’s ephod)?  Why does it not follow the “Israelites did what was evil in the sight of the LORD” formula?

What do we do with all of the meticulous Levitical laws (hair cutting, shellfish) today?  Can they simply be ignored?  Can they be applied in any way?

Is Pharaoh still responsible for his actions even though God hardened his heart?