Section 5
exercised His understanding, fully realizing man's situation and need. He also exercised His wisdom to deal with fallen man.
For the accomplishment of His eternal pur pose, for the carrying out of His economy, God has always exercised forbearance. With His for bearance, He has understanding, wisdom, mercy, kindness, love, and grace. Even the rich supply of life is included in God's forbearance. God never commands us to do anything without consid ering our need and granting us His supply. If a parent charges his children to do a certain task but does not supply them with what they need, that parent is not forbearing. Forbearance al ways includes the adequate supply to meet the need.
As we read the Bible, we see that God dealt with different people in different ways. For exam ple, He dealt with Adam in one way, with Abel in another way, and with Cain in yet another way. Some students of the Bible say that in the Scrip tures there are different dispensations, different ways God deals with man. These dispensations are actually related to forbearance. For God to deal with people in a particular way during a cer tain age is for Him to show forbearance. Because God is forbearing, He knows how to deal with