Psalm 32:8-9   I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;  I will counsel you with my eye upon you. 9. Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you.


When God created us he created us in his image.  I always thought that was yes, how we were formed and yes, that we had speech and abilities to think. But as I read the verse above it came to my mind that the greatest way we were made most like him in that he created in us the option of choice.  Not just a choice of one good over another good, but choice based on the freedom he gave us to chose his way or our own way.   And with that 'option' he made a definite choice - the fruit of the tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.

The verse above indicates to me he wanted a created being who chose him out of an inner desire for him, a desire created by our coming to know him and love him as our creator.  And of course, on his death and resurrection he made a way for us to have eternal life in Him - to be eternally in his presence.  He didn't want us constrained to love or serve him, but he wanted us to come because we love him.  

Our salvation came in the OT in the same way as in the NT - by our faith in him and love for him.