We are in a series called Kingdom Revealed and we are taking a deep look into the first two chapters of Genesis. Last week, we started talking about trees. I said that in the Scripture, trees, people, and water are often seen together at significant times in His Story. This week, we will look at the two trees in the middle of the garden.
Genesis 2:8–9 (NIV)
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 were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
The two trees in the garden are pictured next to each other. To eat from one, you have to walk by the other. The tree of life represents a gift that God wants to give humanity. The tree of life is not magical in offering its own life to the one who eats. The idea represented is that God is the giver of life, and the tree is at the center of the temple garden, so proximity to the tree means proximity to the author of life.
It is important to see that the divine command in Genesis Chapter 2:16 doesn’t place the tree of life off limits. God commands humans to enjoy the gift of eternal life.
Genesis 2:15–16 (NIV)
15 The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden;
Any tree included the tree of life. The tree of good and bad is a warning about forfeiting what God has already given.
Genesis 2:17 (NIV)
17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”
God wants to shelter humans from good and bad until they can learn wisdom from Him. This is the real issue. Who will you listen to for wisdom? Will you trust that God is faithful and that you can trust Him even in those times when you have to wait? Or will you listen to other influences, the culture, the evil one, or your flesh, and reach out and take what you want?
The two trees in the garden illuminate the human condition while explaining the choice before each of us. God has commanded us to enjoy his good gifts, and we choose whether to receive those good gifts from God or define good and bad for ourselves.
This week at Keys Vineyard Church, we will discuss all of this while also peering into Genesis 3 and looking at what happens as Adam and Eve choose who they will listen to. 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.
