The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
Jehovah is the creator and governor of the universe and the disposer of human destinies, who made all things for Himself. Creation has a definite purpose, with each thing down to every atom part of His plan and with a definite purpose for each individual. That making of everything for His purpose does not mean He is selfish or that all things exist to serve His self-interest, for His purpose is consistent with His love and unselfish concern for the happiness of His children. For Himself means for Christ, as the one for whom creation exists and to whom it belongs.
For Himself means for His own glory, and His glory is His goodness, so the purpose of creation serves the highest good and happiness of all. Creation fulfills its purpose when it reflects His wisdom, goodness, grace, and power, as unfallen Adam did perfectly with a sound mind and character and a heart in harmony with God's law. Even the wicked have a place in that purpose and fit within His plan. They are reserved for the day of evil, the day of wrath, when piety is rewarded and evil is punished. Their end is destruction when they are unfit to continue existing.
The verse does not mean that God makes people wicked or prevents them from being saved. God calls every soul to a character that can be saved, and people become wicked by refusing to submit to Him. His purpose is accomplished while each person's choice to obey or reject remains voluntary, and His decision to preserve or destroy is according to fitness for continued existence. The verse is a practical rule for everyday life that calls for self-examination over whether one's ways please God in duty to God, family, neighbor, and friend.
Jehovah is the creator and governor of the universe and the disposer of human destinies, who made all things for Himself. Creation has a definite purpose, with each thing down to every atom part of His plan and with a definite purpose for each individual. That making of everything for His purpose does not mean He is selfish or that all things exist to serve His self-interest, for His purpose is consistent with His love and unselfish concern for the happiness of His children. For Himself means for Christ, as the one for whom creation exists and to whom it belongs.
For Himself means for His own glory, and His glory is His goodness, so the purpose of creation serves the highest good and happiness of all. Creation fulfills its purpose when it reflects His wisdom, goodness, grace, and power, as unfallen Adam did perfectly with a sound mind and character and a heart in harmony with God's law. Even the wicked have a place in that purpose and fit within His plan. They are reserved for the day of evil, the day of wrath, when piety is rewarded and evil is punished. Their end is destruction when they are unfit to continue existing.
The verse does not mean that God makes people wicked or prevents them from being saved. God calls every soul to a character that can be saved, and people become wicked by refusing to submit to Him. His purpose is accomplished while each person's choice to obey or reject remains voluntary, and His decision to preserve or destroy is according to fitness for continued existence. The verse is a practical rule for everyday life that calls for self-examination over whether one's ways please God in duty to God, family, neighbor, and friend.