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Though the prophet of the Age is a changeless Being, we, His children, certainly are not, for we are part of creation, and absolutely everything in creation changes. In fact, change is a law which God has made an integral part of creation, and one which we can not avoid. Life itself implies change. Moreover, the very purpose of our lives is to change. For, are we not to grow under the light of God's love? (143:2) The Manifestations of God have dawned upon the world from the beginning of time to shed the light that gives spiritual life to the world of being. They have, through their guidance and their sacrifice, lovingly and patiently lifted humanity from the animal state into which humanity is continually called by its lower nature. From the days of Adam, they have sought to raise humanity's gaze from the earthly to the heavenly (143:3) In the early days, mankind was like a child, and the message of God was, therefore, simple and direct, attuned to His children's ears; to their childlike knowledge and capacity. The first lesson which men and women needed to learn was that there is only one true God, and that He exercises His Will, which we must obey: (143:4) I am the LORD thy God, .. Thou shalt have none other gods before me. Deuteronomy 5:6-7 (143:5) .. remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them ..Numbers 15:39 (143:6) So that the childhood level of development in mankind could relate to this message that there was an everlasting, all-powerful, supreme God, He was portrayed in simple concrete terms, even physical terms. Thus God was referred to as a person and people regarded Him as such: Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, who hath with his hands fulfilled that which he spake with his mouth. (143:7) The laws, too, which the Prophets and Messengers delivered were simple and concrete: "Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal." The child - that was humanity - was made aware of a divine law, an eternal relationship between the Creator and His creation. The Creator promised to provide, as would a loving Father, everything that the child would require for its happiness, its growth and development. In return, the child was expected to behave in a certain way. This arrangement was called the "Covenant"
(143:8)
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