Ministry Resources

God’s Plan for Man

God’s Plan for Man

Introduction

In this search of the scriptures, there will be a consistent theme which begins in Genesis. We will learn that God’s plan for man existed even before man or before any of us were conceived or born. We must realize God’s plan is just that, His plan. It is what He wants. We are a part of what God wants and He wants us in his kingdom with certain conditions. He is the King. His ways and desires are the Kingdom laws. All that He created is designed to be what He wants. If I were to summarize this plan, it would be with 4 words that express God’s plan for man. He wants a close relationship and fellowship with us. He wants obedience to His laws. He wants us to work in His kingdom. He will provide for us as citizens of His kingdom. So, Relationship, Obedience, Work/Purpose, and Provision are the four themes that we will see as we look to the scriptures.

God’s Creation

The first book of the Bible is Genesis. This is where we will begin to understand God’s plan for man.

Genesis 1:26-28 Amplified Bible (AMP)

Then God said, “Let Us (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) make man in Our image, according to Our likeness [not physical, but a spiritual personality and moral likeness]; and let them have complete authority over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the cattle, and over the entire earth, and over everything that creeps and crawls on the earth.”27 So God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 And God blessed them [granting them certain authority] and said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth, and subjugate it [putting it under your power]; and rule over (dominate) the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and every living thing that moves upon the earth.” God gave man dominion and work to do in this earthly kingdom He had created.

Genesis 2:8 Amplified Bible (AMP)

And the LORD God planted a garden (oasis) in the east, in Eden (delight, land of happiness); and He put the man whom He had formed (created) there.

Genesis 2:15 Amplified Bible (AMP)

So the LORD God took the man [He had made] and settled him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate and keep it.

This Garden was to be God’s heaven on earth for mankind. It was to be a place of plenty, a place of peace, nothing missing, nothing broken. God gave man authority over all of His creation, and He gave him work to do. This was God’s plan for man. Here we see the provision of God. One thing was missing, Adam did not have a help meet, a helper.

Genesis 2:20 Amplified Bible (AMP)

“And the man gave names to all the livestock, and to the birds of the air, and to every animal of the field; but for Adam there was not found a helper [that was] suitable (a companion) for him.

So God caused a deep sleep to come upon Adam, He took a rib from Adam’s side and created a woman, who was named Eve.

There was one rule in this heaven on earth creation. “Do not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil for when you do, you shall die.

God had provided everything man needed or wanted including fellowship with him. We know this because after Adam and Eve had eaten of the fruit from the forbidden tree, God came to the Garden looking for them in the evening. He searched for them to talk to them. They were undoubtedly expecting God to come visit them because they were hiding after they had disobeyed Him.

Although they had previously been unaware of their nakedness, now they realized their condition. God asked them if they had eaten of the fruit. Adam blamed it on Eve and she blamed it on the serpent. This is the first instance of “passing the buck”, not taking responsibility for your sin.

Because of their sin of disobedience, God declared a curse upon Adam and Eve and the serpent. The curse upon the serpent was the first evidence of God’s plan for the redemption of man from sin. The first plan was stopped because of disobedience. But God’s plan for man did not end in the Garden. In His words to Eve, He foretold his plan to deal with man’s sinful state. His desire for fellowship with man had not changed.

Genesis 3:15 Amplified Bible (AMP)

“And I will put enmity (open hostility) Between you and the woman, And between your seed (offspring) and her Seed; He shall [fatally] bruise your head, And you shall [only] bruise His heel.”

Her Seed was referring to Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who would ultimately and completely destroy all the works of the devil, which includes all the guilt of all the sin in the world.

1 John 3:8 Amplified Bible (AMP)

The one who practices sin [separating himself from God, and offending Him by acts of disobedience, indifference, or rebellion] is of the devil [and takes his inner character and moral values from him, not God]; for the devil has sinned and violated God’s law from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.

Blood is shed to cover man’s sinful state.

God killed animals and made coats from the skins to cover Adam and Eve’s nakedness. This was the first blood sacrifice to cover sin. This became a pattern under the old law and, Jesus ultimately shed his blood as the perfect sacrifice for all sins of mankind.

Let’s review. In the Garden God and man had fellowship with each other. There was a law or rule in the Garden. Obedience was necessary for this “heaven on earth” kingdom to function according to God’s plan. Man did have work to do in the Garden. Disobedience brought loss of territory, the beautiful, plentiful garden. Adam and Eve lost their heaven on earth citizenship and they lost the intimate relationship they had enjoyed with God. Sin separates us from God.

Change of Rulership

God had given dominion of the earth to man but it was lost because of man’s disobedience, his sin. Satan, the devil, became the ruler of the earth. However, God maintained his desire and plan to return His man to dominance in the earth.

His plan required a sinless man to be born into the earth to redeem or buy back mankind. To accomplish this, he chose a man named Abram to establish a people who would be faithful to him. Abram was instructed to leave his father and relatives and to go to a land God would show him. God made great promises to Abram which included the promise of the coming Messiah.

Genesis 12:2-3 Amplified Bible (AMP)

And I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you [abundantly], And make your name great (exalted, distinguished); And you shall be a blessing [a source of great good to others];  And I will bless (do good for, benefit) those who bless you, And I will curse [that is, subject to My wrath and judgment] the one who curses (despises, And in you all the families (nations) of the earth will be blessed.”

In these promises we see God’s promise of provision, and His desire for man to be blessed. We also see the purpose for blessings or prosperity. The purpose for blessings is to pass them on to others. You are blessed to be a blessing.

We see God’s promise to protect Abram and to deal harshly with his enemies. The final promise is referring to Jesus, the Messiah. It was God’s plan for Jesus to be born through Abram’s descendants and that He would be a blessing to all families, nations, of the earth. Since Jesus would pay the price for all men’s sins, He is certainly a blessing to everyone on earth.

God made good on his promise to bless Abram, because it is said that he was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold. The Lord blessed Abram in all things.

In order for the promise of a blessing to all families of the earth to happen, Abram, whose name God changed to Abraham, meaning the father of many nations, had to have children who would have children who would have children, etc.

Genesis 17:1-8 Amplified Bible (AMP)

Abraham and the Covenant of Circumcision

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said,

“I am God Almighty; Walk [habitually] before Me [with integrity, knowing that you are always in My presence], and be blameless and complete [in obedience to Me]. “I will establish My covenant (everlasting promise) between Me and you, And I will multiply you exceedingly [through your descendants].”

Then Abram fell on his face [in worship], and God spoke with him, saying,

“As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, And [as a result] you shall be the father of many nations. “No longer shall your name be Abram (exalted father), But your name shall be Abraham (father of a multitude); For I will make you the father of many nations.

I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your descendants after you. I will give to you and to your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger [moving from place to place], all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession [of property]; and I will be their God.”

God also made a covenant with Abraham and declared that Every man child among him would be circumcised.

Genesis 17:10 Amplified Bible (AMP)

This is [the sign of] My covenant, which you shall keep and faithfully obey, between Me and you and your descendants after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised.

In review, we see God’s promised blessing or provision on Abraham, we see a demand for integrity and obedience, obviously there was purpose for Abraham to be the father of a big family, the leader of a nation through which all families of the earth would be blessed. In addition, we see that God wanted fellowship with Abraham’s people as he promised to be their God.

Moses – A New Leader for God’s Plan

God made a similar promise to Moses as he was leading the Israelite nation through the wilderness after their escape from Egypt. We see his desire for a people dedicated to him and obedient to His ways.

Exodus 19:4-6 Amplified Bible (AMP)

‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to Myself. Now therefore, if you will in fact obey My voice and keep My covenant (agreement), then you shall be My own special possession and treasure from among all peoples [of the world], for all the earth is Mine; and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation [set apart for My purpose].’ These are the words that you shall speak to the Israelites.”

After God spoke these words to Moses, He gave him the Ten Commandments for the people to follow. Read Exodus 20:1-17.

There were many more rules and practices the Israelites were to follow. One that is of significance is that once a year the High Priest was to enter the inner part of the tabernacle called the Holiest of Hollies to make a blood sacrifice to cover the sins of the people for one year. This was an atonement, a covering for sin, not a removal of sin.

Exodus 30:10 Amplified Bible (AMP)

Once a year Aaron shall make atonement [for sin] on its horns. He shall make atonement on it with the blood of the sin offering of atonement once a year throughout your generations. It is most holy to the LORD.”

In the Garden, there was one commandment. For the children of Israel there were 10, plus there were many, many rules for them to follow. God promised they would be His special people with special blessings, favor, protection, and prosperity. Their part was to be obedient to his voice and to keep his commandments.

In Deuteronomy 28, the details of what God wanted from and for his people are given. Read Deuteronomy 28 1-14. Here we see listening to His voice and obeying His commandments was a prerequisite to receiving blessings in every area of life. If this was not done, curses were promised. Joyfulness and gladness of heart were also requirements for having received such blessings from God.

Deuteronomy 28:47 Amplified Bible (AMP)

“Because you did not serve the LORD your God with a heart full of joy and gladness for the abundance of all things [with which He blessed you],

There is a scripture that says God does not change. Thus far, we see his plan for man has not changed. He wants man to be obedient to Him, to be His people, and He wants to bless man abundantly.

Jesus – God’s Plan Fulfilled

When you read the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew chapter 1, you see that it begins with Abraham. God fulfilled his promise and completed his plan by having Jesus, His Son, born as a man in the earth through the descendants of Abraham.

There are several prophecies in the Old Testament that described Jesus. Isaiah, a prophet spoke of Jesus.

Isaiah 9:6 Amplified Bible (AMP)

For to us a Child shall be born, to us a Son shall be given; And the government shall be upon His shoulder, And His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Luke records the events of the night Jesus was born. Chapter 2:10-17

Luke 2:10-14 Amplified Bible (AMP)

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people. For this day in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord (the Messiah).  And this will be a sign for you [by which you will recognize Him]: you will find a Baby wrapped in [swaddling] cloths and lying in a manger.”  Then suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host (angelic army) praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest [heaven], And on earth peace among men with whom He is well-pleased.”

The King James Version of the Bible states, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

There had not been peace between God and man since man’s disobedience in the Garden of Eden. God’s plan to bring man back into complete fellowship with him was progressing.

When Jesus was about 30 years old, he came to John the Baptist who was preaching about him in the country of Judea. John was preaching about the kingdom of heaven being near.

Matthew 3:2 Amplified Bible (AMP)

“Repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret past sins, live your life in a way that proves repentance; seek God’s purpose for your life], for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

God confirmed the identity of Jesus as his son as John the Baptist baptized Jesus.

Luke 3:21-22 Amplified Bible (AMP)

21 Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus was also baptized, and while He was praying, the [visible] heaven was opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came from heaven, “You are My Son, My Beloved, in You I am well-pleased and delighted!”

Jesus often taught in the Jewish synagogues. On one occasion he read from the prophet Isaiah, chapter 61:1, and declared that he was to fulfill the words of the prophet.

Luke 4:18-19 Amplified Bible (AMP)

“THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME (the Messiah), BECAUSE HE HAS ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOOD NEWS TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO ANNOUNCE RELEASE (pardon, forgiveness) TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED (downtrodden, bruised, crushed by tragedy), TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD [the day when salvation and the favor of God abound greatly].”

Luke 4:21 Amplified Bible (AMP)

He began speaking to them: “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing and in your presence.”

When we look at all of the painful conditions mentioned in these scriptures, we realize Jesus came to correct all of these things. His ministry is one of restoration. He truly did and continues to do these things as he heals and delivers those who had been oppressed by the devil. The apostle John stated the purpose of Jesus as follows:

1 John 3:8 Amplified Bible (AMP)

The one who practices sin [separating himself from God, and offending Him by acts of disobedience, indifference, or rebellion] is of the devil [and takes his inner character and moral values from him, not God]; for the devil has sinned and violated God’s law from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.

God’s Plan for Jesus – Books Written by God

God had a plan for man that included Jesus. The writer of Hebrews quotes Jesus who said he came to do the will of God and that he was to fulfill what was written about him in a scroll, a book.

Hebrews 10:7 Amplified Bible (AMP)

“THEN I SAID, ‘BEHOLD, I HAVE COME TO DO YOUR WILL, O GOD— [TO FULFILL] WHAT IS WRITTEN OF ME IN THE SCROLL OF THE BOOK.’”

This brings us to the question, “If there was a scroll or book about the life of Jesus, is there also a book about me?”

The answer is “YES”!! This was not something I understood until a couple of years ago. Realizing the truth of the following scriptures, brought joy, peace, and confidence to me. Therefore, I want to share them with you.

Many people struggle with their identity. They don’t know who they are or what they are supposed to be doing in life. They may even wonder if they were a mistake. Some family situations are less than perfect, leaving children to wonder if they are valuable to anyone or if there is a good reason for them to live. I believe these scriptures will change your feelings about yourself and about your value to God and His kingdom.

Understanding about what God has planned for your life begins in the book of Daniel.

Daniel 7:10 Amplified Bible (AMP)

“A river of fire was flowing And coming out from before Him; A thousand thousands were attending Him, And ten thousand times ten thousand were standing before Him; The court was seated, And the books were opened.

This scripture describes a scene in heaven in the presence of God who is surrounded by thousands of people or possibly angels. There is a court and there are books that are opened.

King David wrote Psalm 40 in which he mentions his book and that God’s laws are written on his heart.

Psalm 40:6-8 Amplified Bible (AMP)

Sacrifice and meal offering You do not desire, nor do You delight in them; You have opened my ears and given me the capacity to hear [and obey Your word]; Burnt offerings and sin offerings You do not require. Then I said, “Behold, I come [to the throne]; In the scroll of the book it is written of me. “I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your law is within my heart.”

King David writes about God making him and writing a plan for his life in Psalm 139.

Psalm 139:14, 16-17 Amplified Bible (AMP)

I will give thanks and praise to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.

Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were appointed for me, When as yet there was not one of them [even taking shape].

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them!

The apostle Paul wrote to the Christians at Ephesus about the things God had planned for them.

Ephesians 1:4 Amplified Bible (AMP)

just as [in His love] He chose us in Christ [actually selected us for Himself as His own] before the foundation of the world, so that we would be holy [that is, consecrated, set apart for Him, purpose-driven] and blameless in His sight. In love

Ephesians 2:10 King James Version (KJV)

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10 Amplified Bible (AMP)

For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us].

Are you feeling more valuable??

Notice these statements were made to Christians who lived in Ephesus. These had already experience the new birth which Paul refers to them being “reborn from above”.

Grace for Us

One of our foundation scriptures gives us assurance that we will have what we need in order to do the “good works” God has prepared for us to do in His kingdom.

2 Corinthians 9:8 Amplified Bible (AMP)

And God is able to make all grace [every favor and earthly blessing] come in abundance to you, so that you may always [under all circumstances, regardless of the need] have complete sufficiency in everything [being completely self-sufficient in Him], and have an abundance for every good work and act of charity.

I hope you will recall that in the beginning, God wanted a relationship/fellowship with Adam and Eve, He wanted obedience from them, He provided all they needed for an amazing life, and he gave them work to

do in the garden. Some people have the idea that they need to do “good works” to earn their way into heaven. This is their plan, not God’s.

2 Timothy 1:9 Amplified Bible (AMP)

for He delivered us and saved us and called us with a holy calling [a calling that leads to a consecrated life—a life set apart—a life of purpose], not because of our works [or because of any personal merit—we could do nothing to earn this], but because of His own purpose and grace [His amazing, undeserved favor] which was granted to us in Christ Jesus before the world began [eternal ages ago],

This verse tells me that #1. God has a purpose for my life and #2. He has provided the grace, supernatural ability and favor for me to accomplish this purpose. #3. We are not saved by our good works but because of what Christ did and that we are “in Him”.

Our New Covenant with God

As born again Christians, we have a new covenant with God that is based on the perfect sacrifice of Jesus on the cross for our sins. The language in this new covenant is like what God told the people through Jeremiah, the prophet.

Jeremiah 31:33-34 Amplified Bible (AMP)

“But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” says the LORD, “I will put My law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they will be My people. 34 And each man will no longer teach his neighbor and his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they will all know Me [through personal experience], from the least of them to the greatest,” says the LORD. “For I will forgive their wickedness, and I will no longer remember their sin.”

Hebrews 10:16-18 Amplified Bible (AMP)

“THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THEM AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD: I WILL IMPRINT MY LAWS UPON THEIR HEART, AND ON THEIR MIND I WILL INSCRIBE THEM [producing an inward change],”

He then says,

“AND THEIR SINS AND THEIR LAWLESS ACTS I WILL REMEMBER NO MORE [no longer holding their sins against them].”

18 Now where there is [absolute] forgiveness and complete cancellation of the penalty of these things, there is no longer any offering [to be made to atone] for sin.

Throughout the two thousand years since Jesus came to earth, men and women have had a choice to make. Do I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and will I commit my life to him to walk in His ways? When the answer is, “yes”, God has made amazing promises to those who will love, obey, and follow His plan for their lives. However, the Bible tells us what the consequences are when a person says “no” to the salvation provided to each person by the sacrifice of Jesus.

Consequences of Rejecting Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God

God’s desire is for every person to be with him eternally in heaven. However, just as in the Garden of Eden and through the centuries to the present time, we have choices to make. Do we believe and follow God’s ways or do we say “no” to His plans for us?

Jesus taught his disciples about what will take place at the end of this world to those who have lived a sinful life.

Matthew 13:41-43 Amplified Bible (AMP)

The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend [those things by which people are led into sin], and all who practice evil [leading others into sin], 42 and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping[over sorrow and pain] and grinding of teeth [over distress and anger]. 43 Then THE RIGHTEOUS [those who seek the will of God] WILL SHINE FORTH [radiating the new life] LIKE THE SUN in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears [to hear], let him hear and heed My words.

The Apostle Peter assured his readers that it was God’s will for none to experience this terrible end but rather that everyone would repent and be saved.

2 Peter 3:9 New King James Version (NKJV)

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long suffering toward [a]us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

One of the best-known verses in the Bible, John 3:16, assures everyone in the world that God wants them in heaven with him eternally.

John 3:16 New King James Version (NKJV)

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Written by Gil and Jane Burnett

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