Richard Maisenbacher
The Tree of Knowledge
There are many foundational truths derived from Genesis 2 and 3. We are given the freedom of choice which comes with consequences, accepting responsibility for sin, and understanding the two kingdoms and their nature.
Genesis 2:9 states, “and out of the ground the Lord God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” When God created the heavens and earth it included all the trees, but these two were particularly pointed out.
Genesis 2:16-17 says, “and the Lord God commanded the man, saying, ‘From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you shall surely die.”
Now there was a result for eating from the wrong tree. Even though an actual physical death was not one of them, many consequences occurred in Genesis 3 when man decided to eat of the Tree of Knowledge. The serpent had a part to play in this test, but man ultimately was able to make the final choice.
The two trees in the garden represented a freedom of choice. The choice was to believe the Creator- God, or the creature- the serpent. Animals could obviously communicate with man in the garden, thus the set up for the lie occurred. Adam had already been involved in an intimate covenant relationship with God before eating the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge in Genesis 3. Afterward, because of disobedience the relationship was broken, resulting in many consequences.
In Genesis 3:6 it says, “When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.” The serpent convinced Eve and Adam that there were some positive things that would happen if they ate from the Tree of Knowledge. It seemed that Eve believed that she could help God out and not have to bother Him with every little decision she had to make. Their eyes would be open so that they could have the ability to perceive when something was wrong.
It is not just the Tree of Good and Evil; it’s the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. In the Hebraic it is the desire to know the difference between good and evil. So, the real issue regarding the Tree of Knowledge becomes my choice to decide for myself what is good and what is not good for me. If I can determine what is right and wrong for me, then I can control my ethics and morality. However, morality is a function of what God says is right. Making all my choices on what I think is right or wrong can easily lead me away from a relationship with God and having little if any desire for the Tree of Life and His Spirit. It cuts off the presence of God and His creation.
God has put in place many methods to be able to communicate with us: his Torah, his voice, visions, dreams, through counsel and teaching, gifts of the Spirit, through circumstances, a sensing, experiences, and other unique ways He may speak. He might tell us that we may make a particular choice on a matter, but it all comes from an intimate relationship of love and hearing Him.
It seems we all have had an increase in battles and challenges lately, but choosing to seek Him first as opposed to making our own choices of what is good or bad for us from the Tree of Knowledge, is very important!
