Reflections:

Creation and its Creator - Part 7

By Enoch Reuben Muniah, Johannesburg

What was the purpose of God creating man?

Some have said that the triune God had existed from eternity without men; why would He now create man and a space-mass-time universe in which man would dwell?
     Well, are we as creatures, in a position to question or judge the creator? "O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, "Why have you made me like this?" (Rom. 9:20).
     Can the creature question the creator? "God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power and of love and of a sound mind; who hath saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to His own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began (2 Tim. 1:7 & 9); "The Lamb, without blemish and without spot was fore-ordained before the foundation of the world" to be slain (1 Peter 1:19 & 20), "The names of the redeemed had been written in His book of life before the foundation of the world" (Rev. 17:8).
Creator's Will and Pleasure
These are the things that happened before the beginning of time and space. We were chosen in Christ before the world began. You are not here by chance; you are not here by accident; you are not an after-thought. We were thought of, way back in eternity past.
     Man was created at God's will and pleasure that He might demonstrate the exceeding riches of His grace on man's behalf through all the ages to come. God is a God of love; but that love is a reciprocal relationship when we love God who first loved us.
Worship the Creator
Another reason for which man was created, to worship the creator. That is something that God cannot do for Himself.
     We are His subjects and He is the object of our worship. However, the commandment given concerning the forbidden fruit, was broken. Broken commandment meant broken fellowship with God. The 'fruit' seemed good for food (the lust of the flesh); it was pleasant to the sight (the lust of the eyes) and there was wisdom to be gained (the pride of life) (Gen. 3:6).
Deception & Fall
Satan tried to thwart God's plan and purpose for man. He chose to deceive the weaker vessel of the fairer sex, Eve, when he appeared to her as a serpent (1 Pet. 3:7).
     He began by sowing the seed of Doubt with the words, "Did God really say that"? (Genesis 3:1). Then came the Denial, "You shall not surely die" (Genesis 3:4). This was followed by the Deception, "You shall be as gods knowing good and evil" (Gen. 3:5).
     It is interesting to note also that God held Adam accountable for their sin. They tried to hide from God. God was not ignorant of where they were when He called out to Adam, "Where are you?" (Gen. 3:9). God was not asking about their geographical position but pointing out their spiritual state and standing.
     Sin made them aware of their nakedness and so they covered themselves with an apron made of fig leaves. Adam played the 'blame game' as he accused Eve of sinning. Two things that subsequently followed: the bruising of the serpent's head and this happened at Calvary; their apron of leaves soon shrivelled and God provided for them a covering of skins.
Atoning Sacrifice
It may be inferred without a shadow of doubt that an animal had to die to provide the coats of skin (Gen. 3:21). From Genesis chapter 12 on, animal sacrifices typified the perfect sacrifice of Christ on the altar of Calvary. Hundreds and thousands of animals were sacrificed to cover man's sin.
     The blood of the Lord Jesus did not just cover our sin but removed our transgressions as far as the East is from the West (Ps. 103:12). "He will subdue our iniquities and shall cast our sins into the depths of the sea" (Micah 7:19). "Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more" (Heb. 10:13). God not only forgives us our sins; He also forgets our sins which He has pardoned.
     It is reassuring to know that the Old Covenant (Old Testament), in which millions of animals were slain, has given way to the New Covenant (New Testament), which was ratified by the blood of Christ on the cross. The hymn writer puts it, "Not all the blood of beasts, on Jewish altars slain, could give the guilty conscience peace, or wash away one stain."
     The New Testament is in the Old Testament concealed (latent), and the Old Testament is in the New Testament revealed (patent). The Old Testament points forward to the coming Redeemer; the New Testament reveals the promised Messiah.
     Since Calvary, we look back to the cross as the finished redemptive work of Christ, and then we look forward to His glorious return. Maranatha!G&P

To be continued (DV)

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