Have you ever wondered why God created the tree of knowledge of good and evil? It seems like something you’d see on a Saturday morning cartoon. The villain creates a self-destruct button on his bomb labeling it with the words “do not touch” in big red letters. The hero stumbles upon it and saves the day in the nick of time. Naturally, I’m not calling God the villain. But have you ever wondered why an all-knowing God would place such a tree in the garden to begin with? In exploring this question, there are several things that I believe God revealed to me.
In my New Spirit Filled Life Bible, it discusses the two trees in more detail. The tree of life was associated with “experiencing the life of God, to include immortality”. The tree of knowledge of good and evil was the exact opposite. It represented human autonomy. It appealed to Adam’s flesh in that he’d be independent ruling himself apart from God. But the consequence of living autonomously is separation from God i.e. spiritual death. Both trees were located side by side in the midst of the garden. Adam was thereby presented with a choice.
When the devil magnified what was forbidden, temptation arose. He made it seem like God was keeping something desirable from Adam. The irony is that everything Adam needed was within him. He was made in the image of God. The breath of God and all His attributes resided in him. Why should worldly wisdom be a temptation? Not to mention, nearby was the tree of life. A tree that would allow him to experience the fullness of his Creator for eternity. Wow!
So, circling back to the original question. Why create the trees in the first place? I believe God wanted to be chosen. Adam lived in a perfectly constructed garden with an amazing woman and not a care in the world. All he knew was the goodness of God. Who wouldn’t serve God in that scenario? (Remember the whole story of Job?) Maybe Adam was presented with the choice to see if he desired more of God or if he’d be enticed by worldly wisdom. Ironically, God was giving Adam the autonomy he desired from the tree. God was allowing him free will. He didn’t want robots serving Him mindlessly. He wanted a relationship with Adam because he chose Him. Even after Adam sinned and hid himself, God came searching for him.
The devil is sneaky and predictable. He’s used that same trick for centuries. He accuses God of keeping something good from us. He diverts our attention from what we already possess. Or even worse, he makes it seem like it’s not enough. There are so many examples of this: sexual impurity, alcohol, drugs, etc. The boundaries are there for our protection. God desires to give us good things and without shame or guilt. So, let’s learn from Adam’s mistake and tell the devil where he can go… Let’s choose life!
Be encouraged! :)
written by Christa Martina
FB page: See Martina Write
Scripture References: Genesis 2:8-9 “And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed. And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.”
Genesis 2:15-17 “And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”
Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (NLT) “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the Lord, you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”
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