Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil: Green Apple
“When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it” Genesis 3:6.
This passage about the tree of the knowledge of good and evil is taken from Genesis chapter 3. To read the whole chapter and get some context, click here.
I believe God’s plan in allowing Adam and Eve to be tempted was for them to resist the temptation, gain strength or endurance through it. And eventually become mature so they could partake of the tree of wisdom they were presently being denied.
God Wants His Children to be Wise
This is what I mean when I say the apple they took from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was green. It’s not that God didn’t want them to have the fruit, just not yet. It doesn’t make sense to me that God wouldn’t want His children to be wise. In fact, the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. . . Proverbs 9:10.
Temptation is the doorway to the abundant life and to the promise land. In this case, I believe God was using the denial of access to the tree to prepare Adam and Eve to have complete and free access in the future.
The Israelites were being prepared for the promise land by all the temptations in the wilderness. If they would’ve resisted, they would’ve gained strength or endurance. And eventually became mature at which point they’d be ready for the promise land. “No good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless” Psalm 84:11.
That’s why James tells us to “consider it all joy” when we encounter various trials.
If Adam and Eve would’ve resisted the temptation to partake of the forbidden fruit, they would’ve been one step closer to getting it each time they resisted.
If the Israelites would’ve resisted the temptation to be bitter, angry, full of self-pity and rebellious about not being in the promise land, they would’ve been one step closer to it each time they resisted.
Resistance The Secret to Strength
Resistance produces strength as any body builder will tell you. Strength ultimately is perfected, and we become mature in that area. At that point we get our heart’s desire. “He gave you manna to eat in the wilderness, something your ancestors had never known, to humble and test you so that in the end it might go well with you” Deuteronomy 8:16.
God does not withhold the promise land from him whose walk is blameless. God’s intention was to prepare the Israelites for the promise land by not allowing them to have it immediately. His objective was to prepare Adam and Eve to partake of the tree of wisdom by not allowing them to have it right away.
To read another post similar to Apple Was Green on Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, click here: If You Harden Your Heart Your Life Will Be Hard.
Although many of my posts are intended to motivate Christians to grow up so they can be blessed, that shouldn’t be our main reason for wanting to mature. Ultimately, everything we do as a Christian should be a response to what He’s already done for us.
From Foolish to Wise to Foolish Again
In fact, growing up and becoming wise is only the first step in the Christian experience. Some already come to faith with a measure of this, but many do not. And as we’ve seen, wisdom brings rich rewards. But that’s not the end of the journey.
Once we’ve done the hard work to become wise and are experiencing the benefits, the next step is to give it up for Christ. In other words, to become a fool for Christ. We then have come full circle. We’ve gone from foolish to wise and back to foolish again. To learn more about this click here: What It Means to be a Fool for Christ.
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