As I mentioned last week, here's an attempt to capture the essence of Edward's work on God's Glory, The End for Which God Created the World. I appreciate Piper's climactic introduction and clarifying footnotes (see God's Passion for His Glory).

Glory

First, consider that we frequently toss around the word "glory" but seldom sufficiently define what glory means. Edwards does. Glory is:
- "weighty", literally translated from the Hebrew and Greek
- the outshining of the internal greatness or excellency of God
- the excellent brightness and fullness of the divinity diffused and overflowing
- the communication of God's fullness
- often implying honor
- often used interchangeably in Scripture with "praise" or "Name"

Why is Man's Chief End to Glorify God?
1. God must necessarily value most that which is supremely valuable
2. God, being infinitely the greatest and best of all Beings, is most valuable; thus He values Himself most of all
3. God, out of highest respect to Himself, exerts Himself to make His glorious attributes known
4. Since God loves His own excellency, it is fitting for Him to value the love others have for His excellency
5. God in seeking His own glory from creatures seeks the good of His creatures; by exalting Himself He displays the one Reality in the universe that can satisfy our souls.
6. Thus our chief end is also our only satisfying source of happiness. Our delight in God is part of God's delight in Himself, and therefore our happiness is also His happiness.