Community answers are sorted based on votes. The higher the vote, the further up an answer is.
In my opinion, God created not just the world, but the entire universe, as a visible witness to His power, majesty, and glory (as exemplified by passages such as Job 38-41). He also created the world specifically to be a suitable habitation for humans, whom He made "in His image" (Genesis 1:26-27), and with whom He intended to have a unique fellowship.
I believe the answer is found in the truth that God is love. Love has a need of something to love and receive love from. Love doesn't exist if it is not voluntarily given which is the whole reason behind free will. Now, when you get into the intricacies of the way history unfolded, the fall of man, the pain and suffering, the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus, my personal theory is that these things were all needed in order to create the conditions needed for humanity to become fit for the purpose of receiving God's love and loving God in a way that was good. I imagine it like the forging of steel with fire and hammer. Jesus came and suffered horribly in order to create the conduit or bridge between God and man so that true love could actually flow between us. I believe this is why the church is so often referred to as the bride.
It was to display His glory and to have a relationship with humanity, primarily through the verse Colossians 1:16 which states, "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him." Genesis 1:26-27: "Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness...'" indicating that humans were created to reflect God's image and have a connection with Him. Psalm 19:1: "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork." Romans 11:36: "For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen." And last but not least: Isaiah 45:18 “For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.” According to Isaiah 45:18, God created the world "to be inhabited," meaning He formed it with the intention for it to be populated and lived on by people, not to be empty or chaotic; essentially, to serve as a dwelling place for humanity and other living creatures.
All answers are REVIEWED and MODERATED.
Please ensure your answer MEETS all our guidelines.
A good answer provides new insight and perspective. Here are guidelines to help facilitate a meaningful learning experience for everyone.