The goodness of God to man.
The abounding grace of God to the children of men is brought out very strikingly here. It is seen in—
I. THE HIGH PURPOSE FOR WHICH HE CREATES US. "I have created him for my glory." There is no end so lofty in itself and so elevating in its influence for which God could have made mankind as this. It is for this, primarily, that the very highest intelligences in the heavenly spheres have their being.
II. THE PROFOUND INTEREST HE TAKES IN US. "Thou wast precious in my sight … I have loved thee." God regards the children of men (Psalms 33:13, Psalms 33:14). He attends to their requests, and meets their wants (Psalms 145:15, Psalms 145:19). He pities them in their griefs (Psalms 103:8). He yearns over them with parental love (see Isaiah 31:1-9:20; 2 Peter 3:9). He disciplines them with parental solicitude (Hebrews 12:5-11).
III. THE HONOUR WHICH HE CONFERS UPON US. "Thou hast been honourable." In Christ Jesus we are honoured in many ways. We are "made priests and kings unto God." What manner of honour as well as of love the Father hath shown us, that we should be called the sons of God; and that we should also be made his heirs, and also "labourers together with him" (1 Corinthians 3:9)!
IV. THE SACRIFICIAL MEANS HE EMPLOYS ON OUR BEHALF. "I gave Egypt for thy ransom … I will give men for thee." That which is of immeasurably greater value than gold or silver, than property of any kind—men, human lives, God would give for Israel. For us he has given that which is of far greater account than any nation or any multitude of men—his own well-beloved Son: "God so loved the world," etc.; "He spared not his own Son;" "He gave himself" for us.
V. HIS PURPOSE TO GATHER HIS CHILDREN TOGETHER to one place of rest and joy (Isaiah 43:5, Isaiah 43:6).—C.