We are in a series called Kingdom Revealed and we are taking a deep look into the first two chapters of Genesis. The last few weeks we have been talking about humans as imagers. In the weeks ahead we need to talk about trees, rivers(water), mountains, and gardens. This week, we are going to start talking about trees.
Genesis 2:4–9 (NIV)
4 This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, when the LORD God made the earth and the heavens. 5 Now no shrub had yet appeared on the earth and no plant had yet sprung up, for the LORD God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no one to work the ground, 6but streams came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground. 7 Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. 8 Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. 9 The LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden was the tree of Life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
Three things come out of the earth here—water, humans, and trees. Throughout the Bible, there are connections between all three and between people and trees and people and water and trees and water. Here is an example:
Psalm 1:1–3 (NIV)
1Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 2but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. 3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.
Since we have been talking about being imagers and the royal priesthood recently, let’s continue in Genesis and work from the royal priesthood into our discussion about trees.
Genesis 2:15 (NIV)
15 The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.
The description of the role of humanity in the garden is to “work it and take care of it” and is used in other places to describe the role of the priests and Levites working in and around the temple.
Numbers 18:7 (NIV)
7 But only you and your sons may serve(shamar) as priests in connection with everything at the altar and inside the curtain. I am giving you the service(abad) of the priesthood as a gift. Anyone else who comes near the sanctuary is to be put to death.”
Adam (human) was a model of the priesthood in the cosmic temple called Eden. In taking care of the cosmic temple, Adam was called to “work and take care of it” and was given the divine command.
Genesis 2:16–17 (NIV)
16 And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”
Notice that God’s divine command begins with a generous invitation to enjoy the bounty of the garden. God wants you to enjoy Him and creation. That is His heart. It doesn’t start with what you can’t do.
Genesis 2:16 (NIV)
16And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden;
Then, in the second part of the divine command, there is a prohibition.
Genesis 2:17 (NIV)
17but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”
The prohibition serves the purpose of safeguarding the divine intent that humanity enjoy God’s own life in the garden.
Next week, we will be looking at the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This week at Keys Vineyard Church, we will also be looking at the connections between humans and trees, so make plans to join us in person or online.
Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.
