Joanne Sher: Editor/Proofreader : Of Trees: Good and Evil, and Life

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. Genesis 2:9

We all know the story of Adam and Eve. The first humans. The first sinners.

God created a beautiful garden for them, and only one restriction: don't eat from one of the trees.

And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden;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.” Genesis 2:15-17

And, being God, He knew exactly what would happen. They ate. They got knowledge of good and evil. They brought death into the world.

But there were actually two named trees, likely among hundreds, in the text: the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and the tree of life. Have you ever thought about what would have happened if Adam and Eve had eaten of the latter before the former?

What if Adam or Eve had taken a bite from the tree of life (which was NOT forbidden) before the serpent showed up and tempted her?

What if humanity had to live forever in transgression? What if sin's wages (Romans 6:23) couldn't be paid? What if our everlasting life was filled with sin, rather than grace? With condemnation, rather than peace?

I don't know about you, but I'm VERY glad that God did not allow that to happen. Cuz I sure don't want to live in sin forever - or live forever in sin.

And there's more good news. The Tree of Life? It'll be making a return visit. It will take a trip from the first book of the Bible to the last.

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.No longer will there be any curse. Revelation 22:1-3

Eternal life WITHOUT sin - that sounds a LOT better, doesn't it?

Heavenly Father, thank You for making a way for us to have everlasting life in You, despite our sin and the legacy of Adam and Eve. Help us to live out our love for You in light of Your gift of eternal life to us. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
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