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It tells us in the Bible that God is not one who tempts us. He may allow us to be tested but doesn't tempt us. My question is this: Why did God put the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden? I understand the effects of it and why they were kicked out for their rebellion, but what are some plausible reasons for The Lords decision?
Adam & Eve were TESTED for obedience to God's command. The punishment or consequence of their disobedience I do NOT analyze. God's thoughts are not our thoughts. "I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion." Exodus 33:19.
There is more to tell you about about questioning God (from the Bible) Perhaps someone can pick up on that b/c I simply do not have the time today! Not only are we having dinner guests at my house- but we're having the company for a week- oy- and the fun all starts tomorrow morning!
I think many people may know ABOUT God but not as many KNOW God.
God tested Abraham. God tested Job. God tests his people. But it is always "God's will be done"
Warning someone that he wll die if he eats something is tempting him to eat it?
God clearly told Adam the negative consequences of disobedience.
Genesis 2:16-17) – 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.
Why did God place the tree there in the first place? He did it to provide an opportunity for mankind to show apreciation and respect for their heavenly father who had given them life.
Actually the one who did try to tempt mankind into eating resorted to lying and making the very action that would bring death seem desirable by misrepresenting the consequences. It is he and he alone who was the temper in Eden--not God.
Satan is called a murderer for doing so.
John 8:44
Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
Well only God could answer that. I will say it could be "Love". If everything in the Garden is perfect and you had no choice but to love God... would it be love. God give us something very special that shows his love for us. Free will! The right to choice. God saidyou may eat of any tree in the gardenbut do not eat from the tree of knowledge for whoever eats from that tree will die. Now if Adam and Eve, choose not to eat from the tree then that would be a sign of love.
It tells us in the Bible that God is not one who tempts us. He may allow us to be tested but doesn't tempt us. My question is this: Why did God put the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden? I understand the effects of it and why they were kicked out for their rebellion, but what are some plausible reasons for The Lords decision?
Free Will. Think about it? How could there be free will if there is no choice?
Free Will. Think about it? How could there be free will if there is no choice?
I agree. There was a choice.
Genesis 2:16-17 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 you will surely die."
All of the answers given so far are some variation on the theme, "It was a test". If that were the only purpose of it, the tree could just as well have been a persimmon or mulberry tree. But maybe there is some significance in the fact that it's the "tree of knowledge of good and evil" that was forbidden. Maybe "thou shalt surely die" wasn't a threat of punishment for disobedience, but a simple statement of cause and effect.
To know the difference between good and evil is to become subject to death. Why would that be? Because the only way to know the difference between good and evil is to succumb to the illusion that one is separate from God. If we are one with the Father, we are untouched by evil, but if we think we are separated from God, the natural result of that belief is death.
I know this interpretation won't be acceptable to those of you who are satisfied with a strictly literal interpretation of the Bible, so if that describes you, feel free to ignore this post. This response is directed toward those who are drawn to a more allegorical or mystical approach to the subject, if there are any of you out there.
All of the answers given so far are some variation on the theme, "It was a test". If that were the only purpose of it, the tree could just as well have been a persimmon or mulberry tree. But maybe there is some significance in the fact that it's the "tree of knowledge of good and evil" that was forbidden. Maybe "thou shalt surely die" wasn't a threat of punishment for disobedience, but a simple statement of cause and effect.
To know the difference between good and evil is to become subject to death. Why would that be? Because the only way to know the difference between good and evil is to succumb to the illusion that one is separate from God. If we are one with the Father, we are untouched by evil, but if we think we are separated from God, the natural result of that belief is death.
I know this interpretation won't be acceptable to those of you who are satisfied with a strictly literal interpretation of the Bible, so if that describes you, feel free to ignore this post. This response is directed toward those who are drawn to a more allegorical or mystical approach to the subject, if there are any of you out there.
OG, I do agree, as I think I understand what you are saying. Please tell me if I am not understanding correctly.
We are one with the Father, and if we choose (free will) to seperate ourselves from him (by not following His will or his word, or by giving in to temptations, or doing other than good) than, yes, surely we will die, and not have eternal life. And yes, staying one with the Father, we mostly definetly become untouched and protected from all evils.
Is that what you are saying? Yes, I do believe that to be very true. And just love the way
you expressed that.
We are one with the Father, and if we choose (free will) to seperate ourselves from him...surely we will die, and not have eternal life. And yes, staying one with the Father, we mostly definetly become untouched and protected from all evils.
Is that what you are saying?
Yeah, pretty much. It's a delicious paradox (like a lot of mystical knowledge) how any non-infinite being could be one with the infinite, yet still be distinguishable as a discrete person with an individualized personality. As Jesus prayed for us*, our truest state of being is to be one with the Father, but in order to become aware of it, we must momentarily separate ourselves, at least a little. The "temptation" is to mistake that (partially and temporarily) separated state of being for our true self. Seen in this light, sin is not the same as evil--that comes WAY later, the result of acting out of fear and anger. The essence of sin is estrangement born of the illusion of seperateness. It is this illusion that must be dispelled to regain our true state of being, i.e., be forgiven, saved, reconciled or whatever name reunion goes by.
*"And the glory which You gave Me, I have given them, that they may be one just as we are one." John 17:22 NKJV
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