Session 8: Section 1

The purpose of God revealed

In this section we are going to look at the real purpose of God in creating the earth and the human race. One clue is given in Isaiah’s prophecy:

Read Isaiah 45 v 18

Another clue is given in the last book of the Bible:

The book of Numbers gives us more information:

If you have marginal references, this verse in Numbers sends us looking at other passages giving the same idea:

From these verses you learn that:

a) God created the world to be inhabited

b) The inhabitants were created as part of God’s purpose, or "will", and

c) That purpose involves filling the earth with His glory.

You could ask, "What does filling the earth with God's glory mean?"

Applying the principles we learnt in the "Concordances" section (Session 5 Section 1), we look up "glory" and see that the word "glory" in the last three references mentioned above come from the Hebrew word "kabod". We also notice in the list of references in the concordance:

Exodus 33 v 18 – "And he (Moses) said, Please, show me Your glory"

Could this reference help in telling what "the glory" is?

If you look at this passage carefully you learn:

a) God’s Name, Glory and Goodness are interchangeable expressions (v 18 – 22).

b) God’s Name is His character or attributes. This character is a perfect blend of "mercy" and "truth". That is to say, that God is merciful, but He cannot alter His standpoint. This is the foundation principle of all God’s dealings revealed in the Bible.

Watch out for "echoes" of the principle. We will look a little more at this idea later.

You have learnt that it is God’s plan to fill the earth with His mercy without compromising His principles. What a contrast with how things are now! There are several word pictures given of what this will involve.

Notice how the human race will eventually live up to God’s standards. People will obey God and acknowledge that He knows best.

Optional Assignment 10

The character, purpose and glory of God

Look at the references we have mentioned and write down in your own words what they are saying about God’s character, purpose and glory. If you have a Bible with cross–references, look up the cross–references and write down where they lead you and what you learn from them.