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Genesis 2-3 – What is the Purpose of the Forbidden Tree?
What was the purpose of the forbidden tree in Genesis 2-3? With the possibility of oversimplifying, no one can succeed unless they can likewise fail. God gave them a chance to succeed, to choose good. But, is there more to choosing good, than just choosing good?
Ever hear, “The only command given to Adam (and then Eve) was to not eat of the forbidden tree”? Wrong:
1) 1:28 – Be fruitful….
2) 1:28 – Rule and subdue the earth and animals.
3) 2:15 – Work in and watch over the garden.
4) 2:16 – Don’t eat of the forbidden fruit.
5) 2:18 – Implied command for woman to help man; and for the man to let her.
6) One more implication: 1:26-27 – Being the image of God means representing God.
Let’s take that last thought and expand on how Mankind was to be God’s representative image on earth. Let’s do that by reviewing God’s actions and attributes:
6 & 1) God multiplied His image by creating man and woman. And now Mankind works with God in multiplying God’s image through children.
5) Implied in Genesis 1, and made more explicit in John 1, Colossians 1, and elsewhere, is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit helped one another in creating the world. Eve helping Adam is the same dynamic – ontological equals working together in functionally different roles.
4) God’s perfection cannot sin or choose evil. Will we choose to represent God’s goodness?
3) God watched over His creation pronouncing it good. Mankind is supposed to continue this oversight by being good stewards of earth and animals.
2) God tamed that which was formless and empty. Likewise, Mankind is commanded to tame the remaining chaos (outside of the garden?).
As we can see, that troubling tree was just one part of God’s overall purpose. By giving us free will – things to do and not do – God grants us the ability to fail…or succeed and act like God.
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