The Redemptive Purpose of God's Scandalous Plan
The Redemptive Purpose of God's Scandalous Plan
The concept of God's redemptive purpose is rooted in biblical teachings that highlight His desire to redeem humanity and restore a relationship with them. According to Luke 1:77, the knowledge of salvation is given to God's people "in remission of their sins" [1]. This redemptive plan is not limited to the Israelites but extends to all nations, as seen in Deuteronomy 32:21, where God's attention to other nations is intended to draw Israel back to obedience [9].
One of the primary purposes of God's redemption is to display His glory to the watching world. As stated in Isaiah 43:7, God's restoration of His people serves to showcase His glory [6]. This is further reinforced in Isaiah 43:21, where it is written that one purpose of redemption is to honor God through the praises of the redeemed [4]. The redeemed are thus called to silence the ignorance of foolish men by doing good, as encouraged in I Peter 2:15 [2].
God's redemptive plan is often described as scandalous because it involves unexpected and unconventional methods. For instance, the prophet Hosea's marriage to an unfaithful wife serves as a metaphor for God's relationship with Israel, where God's purpose is not to divorce but to reconcile with His unfaithful spouse [5]. Similarly, in Jonah 3:10, God's repentance of the evil intended for Nineveh upon their repentance demonstrates His willingness to alter His dealings with humanity according to their works and state of heart [8].
The ultimate goal of God's redemptive plan is not only to redeem humanity but also to demonstrate His justice and righteousness. As seen in Revelation 20:7-10, Satan's final attempt to conquer God's people is met with his demise, showcasing God's absolute justice [7]. The redemptive purpose of God is thus multifaceted, encompassing not only the redemption of humanity but also the display of God's glory, justice, and righteousness.
The name "Iphedeiah" meaning "redemption of the Lord" further underscores the significance of redemption in God's plan [3]. Through various biblical accounts and interpretations, it becomes evident that God's redemptive purpose is a central theme that underscores His relationship with humanity.
Sources
- Luke “Luke 1:77 (YLT) — To give knowledge of salvation to His people In remission of their sins,”
- I Peter “I Peter 2:15 (LITV) — because so is the will of God, doing good to silence the ignorance of foolish men;”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Iphedeiah — redemption of the Lord”
- Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 43:21: 43:21 One purpose of redemption is to honor God through the praises of the redeemed (see 1 Pet 2:9).”
- Hosea (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hosea 2:2: 2:2-23 bring charges against Israel: At first glance, the Lord, as the aggrieved husband, appears to be issuing a bill of divorce against his unfaithful spouse, Israel (see Deut 24:1). As the passage continues, however, it becomes clear that God’s purpose in this lawsuit is not divorce, but reconciliation (Hos 2:14-23). God’s case against Israel is intended to awaken Israel to her sin and offer her a chance to return to her true husband. The Lord’s desire for reconciliation with Israel is all the more surprising inasmuch as the law stipulated the death penalty for a”
- Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 43:7: 43:7 One of God’s purposes in restoring his people was to display his glory to the watching world.”
- Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 20:7: 20:7-10 Satan’s all-out attempt to conquer God’s people is followed by his fiery demise. This passage has two major purposes: (1) to show God’s absolute justice, because Satan and his followers are worthy of punishment and will never change; and (2) to show the depravity of people who follow Satan. In spite of viewing the nature of Christ’s reign in the world for many years, they still flock to Satan’s standard when he is freed. These factors are the basis for the judgment at the great white throne (20:11-15). 20:7-8 When free to act (20:7), Satan still seeks ”
- Jonah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Jonah 3:10: God repented of the evil--When the message was sent to them, they were so ripe for judgment that a purpose of destruction to take effect in forty days was the only word God's righteous abhorrence of sin admitted of as to them. But when they repented, the position in which they stood towards God's righteousness was altered. So God's mode of dealing with them must alter accordingly, if God is not to be inconsistent with His own immutable character of dealing with men according to their works and state of heart, taking vengeance at last on the hardened imp”
- Deuteronomy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Deuteronomy 32:21: 32:21 roused my jealousy: The Lord was not petulant because of attention paid to false gods. Rather, Israel had broken their covenant with him by worshiping other gods, demonstrating their disdain for him and his sovereignty (see 32:16). • people who are not even a people: God’s purpose for Israel was not just to redeem them, but through them to redeem all nations of the earth. In Israel’s eyes, other peoples were worthless, but through God’s attention to other nations, Israel would be drawn back to obedience (see Hos 1:9; 2:23; Rom 9:25; 10:19).”