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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?
I'm not exactly into the bible but isn't it man's way to learn and develop?
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 because 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.
Free Will. Think about it? How could there be free will if there is no choice?Quote:
Originally Posted by Zulla
I agree. There was a choice.Quote:
Originally Posted by tamed
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.
OG, I do agree, as I think I understand what you are saying. Please tell me if I am not understanding correctly.Quote:
Originally Posted by ordinaryguy
We are one with the Father, and if we choose (free will) to separate 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 definitely 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.
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Allheart
*"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
True, some things are best learned via experience. But others are not. That's why we have traffic signs.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dragonfire24
The God who gave us reasoning ability knew that with it came the danger of injuring ourselves by making wrong decisions. One wrong decision that humankind might make was to reject God's guidance by trying to determine for themselves what was to be called good and what was to be called evil.
The tree itself was a symbol of the authority to set moral parameters--a right belonging only to God as creator. Eating of its fruit was a declaration of rebellion against that authority. A declaration that the eater was demanding the right to decide right from wrong without any divine interference. Eternal life is for those who humbly accept God's authority to set moral guidelines for his creatures. Those who disagree, like Satan and Adam and Eve and all other rebellious humans and angels are automatically disqualified and effectively condemn themselves to death.
That's why God provided this example warning concerning the tree. It was a matter of listening to a simple instruction from a heavenly Father or striking out on their own in a show of rebellion. It was a decision that if not made there in Eden would sooner or later have to be made and it was best to have humankind see the importance of it from the very beginning so that they could not later claim that they had not been properly informed of its consequences.
KJV
Ecclesiastes:
29 Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions
Many things exist that are not good for us and God has given us commandments that if obeyed, protect us from harm. However we steadfastly continue to disobey and suffer the consequence. Then, to top it off, we blame Him for our actions. The good news is that He paid the price of our disobedience through the sacrifice of His Son. Withier we choose to accept this gift is a matter of free will, not unlike Adam and Eve's choice to disobey.Quote:
Originally Posted by Zulla
Ordinaryguy and Allheart, you both said it very well! These some of the things I remember growing up, but so easily they slip from my mind...
Just want to say a quick thank you for sharing you words... actually brought tears to my eyes... hah just feeling spiritually weak, and it helps to hear words like this that touch the heart and faith...
I'm happy to know that you were touched. I agree that it's hard sometimes to stay aware of the present reality of the Spirit in the rough and tumble of ordinary life. I find the mystical approach to the life of the spirit to be quite practical, really, in its emphasis on the unity and interpenetration of spiritual and eternal reality with the material and mundane. Cultivating an awareness of this unity allows us to taste eternal life even within the limits of our current temporal state of being.Quote:
Originally Posted by s2tp
Were such things taught or discussed by the adults in your life, or is it just the inner knowledge of childhood innocence that you remember?
Happy New Year s2tp: :)Quote:
Originally Posted by s2tp
And I know, how easily life's "stuff" can help us forget. I fall so much, it's a wonder why I even get up... sure do get lots of exercise that way, fall down.. get up... fall down... get up... yikes:rolleyes:
But just like you, OG's words really brought out the real truth and that is what we need to reach back on when life throws us curve balls.
You have such a good heart... listen to it :)
Thanks again OG and Happy New Year one and All.
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