8.13 What did the two trees in the Garden of Eden represent?
Today, we continue on contrasting between the systems of Law vs Grace. In case you have the impression that this contrast is made on a one-off basis in John 1:17, let me bring you back to the Garden of Eden to show you the same theme. This theme cuts consistently throughout the Bible. As Bible teachers, we constantly look for recurring themes because it shows God’s emphasis. We cannot build a doctrine on a single verse.
Two trees were mentioned in the Garden of Eden. The first is the tree of life. The second is the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
(Genesis 2:9)
And out of the ground the Lord God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
The tree of life represents Jesus. John chapter one says that Jesus is the source of life. John chapter 10 says that Jesus came to give us abundant life. He is our tree of life. The tree of knowledge of good and evil represents the law – that tells us between right and wrong. The law gives us the knowledge of good and evil.
God tells Adam to eat from the tree that represents Jesus. This is consistent with what Jesus said – that we are to feed on Him the bread of life. Then God tells Adam not to eat from the tree that represents the law as it would produce death. This is consistent with 2 Cor 3:7 where the Bible calls the law written on stones – the ministry of death.
(Genesis 2:16-17).
“Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”
Why is this so? This is because when a person lives on the basis of the law, he depends on his own ability to live according to his sense of right and wrong. He doesn’t really need God. He no longer depends on the life of Christ. The Bible says that such a person is estranged from Christ. For example, there are many moral people in the world today who do not feel that they need Jesus. This is the same reason why the Pharisees who lived by the law rejected Jesus – they did not need the Savior.
(Galatians 5:4)
You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.
God wants us to live our lives depending on the grace of Jesus. He does not want us to be estranged from Him. When we feed on Him, we experience life. When Israel walked under law, death happened as soon as Moses came down from the mountain. God wants you to eat from the tree of life in the New Covenant – so feed on Jesus.
Two trees were mentioned in the Garden of Eden. The first is the tree of life. The second is the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
(Genesis 2:9)
And out of the ground the Lord God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
The tree of life represents Jesus. John chapter one says that Jesus is the source of life. John chapter 10 says that Jesus came to give us abundant life. He is our tree of life. The tree of knowledge of good and evil represents the law – that tells us between right and wrong. The law gives us the knowledge of good and evil.
God tells Adam to eat from the tree that represents Jesus. This is consistent with what Jesus said – that we are to feed on Him the bread of life. Then God tells Adam not to eat from the tree that represents the law as it would produce death. This is consistent with 2 Cor 3:7 where the Bible calls the law written on stones – the ministry of death.
(Genesis 2:16-17).
“Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”
Why is this so? This is because when a person lives on the basis of the law, he depends on his own ability to live according to his sense of right and wrong. He doesn’t really need God. He no longer depends on the life of Christ. The Bible says that such a person is estranged from Christ. For example, there are many moral people in the world today who do not feel that they need Jesus. This is the same reason why the Pharisees who lived by the law rejected Jesus – they did not need the Savior.
(Galatians 5:4)
You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.
God wants us to live our lives depending on the grace of Jesus. He does not want us to be estranged from Him. When we feed on Him, we experience life. When Israel walked under law, death happened as soon as Moses came down from the mountain. God wants you to eat from the tree of life in the New Covenant – so feed on Jesus.
posted by Joshua Lye @ 11:11 PM
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