The Two Trees
Theme: To show that there are two trees we chose from: 1) tree of life or 2) tree of the knowledge of good and evil. What is the difference?
Text: Genesis 1 - 3
Genesis 2:4-9 This is the history [3] of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens, (5) before any plant of the field was in the earth and before any herb of the field had grown. For the Lord God had not caused it to rain on the earth, and there was no man to till the ground; (6) but a mist went up from the earth and watered the whole face of the ground. (7) And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. (8) The Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed. (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.
Introduction
What we learn about God in the first two chapters:
God – Elohim
- "a transcendent being who exercises extraordinary control in human affairs or is responsible for bestowal of unusual benefits", mighty and powerful
DEEPER STUDY #2
(1:1) God (Elohim): Elohim is the general or universal name for God in the Hebrew language. It means the Almighty God, the God of all might and strength. It means the Strong and Mighty, the Omnipotent, the One with supreme power and intelligence, the One who is always there, the Faithful One, the One who is to be reverenced and feared (see note—•Genesis 1:3). God's (Elohim's) power in creation is to strike reverence and fear in the heart of man. The word is used about 2570 times in the Bible. The word "Elohim" is a plural noun which suggests the Trinity. (See note 4, pt.1d—•Genesis 1:2 for a discussion on all three persons being involved in creation. Also see note 2—•Genesis 2:4; note 1—•Genesis 2:7 for a discussion of Jehovah or Yahweh as a name for God. Cp. Genesis 14:18; Genesis 15:2; Genesis 17:1; Genesis 21:33; Genesis 22:14; Exodus 3:14-15; Exodus 4:10-11; 1 Samuel 1:3.)
Thought 1. The very name of God, Elohim, says three things to us.
1) God (Elohim) is the One with the power to create the universe.
2) God (Elohim) is the One upon whom we can depend to deliver us. He is always there, always faithful, and He has the power and strength to always help us.
3) God (Elohim) is the Omnipotent One, the Sovereign Majesty of the universe; therefore, we are to worship and serve Him in all reverence and fear.
Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible - Commentary - Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible, The – Genesis I.
God created the universe. This where it all begins. Some apologize because these two chapters do not match up to their natural mind, but I begin with the opening statement. This all-powerful mighty God who has control over the universe and human affairs created in 6 days.
When He was done, He saw everything and “it was good”.
God created man as the crowning achievement of His creation
Gen 1:27-31 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. (28) Then God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth." (29) And God said, "See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food. (30) Also, to every beast of the earth, to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food"; and it was so. (31) Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
God created male and female and challenged them to multiply and rule the earth. In these first two chapters we learn God’s view of marriage that is between a male and female. Two people joined, separating themselves from family and being one.
As we learn a fallen and sinful world may mess things up but God created male and female in His sight. He created us in His image. He distinguished between the two and always have.
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.
Genesis 2:16-17 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, "Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; (17) 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 did God give them a choice? Because He gives everyone a choice. Even the angels had a choice. 1/3rd chose not to follow God. We all have a choice.
The choice is still the same:
1) Chose life as the tree of life depicts: walking and talking with God, living in His provision, protection, fellowship, friendship and lordship. This is a picture and living and walking in His Spirit, living in innocence.
2) Chose death: The tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
The point to see in the present passage is this: God planted the tree of life right in the midst of the Garden, in the most prominent and conspicuous spot where it would always be easily seen. It was planted right where Adam would always be reminded that he had to eat of the tree in order to live forever. God gave man every opportunity imaginable...
1) • to choose life over death
2) • to choose God's presence over alienation
3) • to choose eternity with God over separation from God
4) • to choose peace over division
5) • to choose obedience over disobedience and rebellion
6) • to choose freedom over enslavement and bondage
7) • to choose righteousness over unrighteousness
8) • to choose good over evil
9) • to choose purpose over uselessness
10) • to choose fulfillment over emptiness
11) • to choose perfection over corruption
12) • to choose God over self and Satan
13)
Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible - Commentary - Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible, The – Genesis I.
"See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil" (Deut. 30:15).
"I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live" (Deut. 30:19).
I like how one author put it, the difference between living in the tree of life or the tree of knowledge is living in Innocence or Victimization. Living the life of the spirit or blaming everyone else for our failures.
Look how this plays out in chapter 3
Gen 3:1-5 Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, "Has God indeed said, 'You shall not eat of every tree of the garden'?" (2) And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; (3) but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, 'You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.' " (4) Then the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. (5) For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."
Temptation begins with questioning the word of God, “Has God indeed said?” Then it leads to calling God’s word a lie, “You will not surely die”.
What was the appeal? She could be like God. It was an appeal to her love for God. She could be like Him, know Him but without all the other stuff.
Gen 3:6-7 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. (7) Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.
Eve heard something and saw something. Eve saw something. Eve then desired it. Then she shared.
1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world.
The serpent was right. Their eyes was open. It was lost from the innocence and now they were exposed. So they did their own attempt at covering up. They made sewed fig leaves together and made coverings. This is man’s attempt at hiding the exposer. But look at the good news.
Temptation
“You see, temptation will either develop you or destroy you; it will do one of the two.” – J Vernon McGee
Gen 4:6-7 So the Lord said to Cain, "Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? (7) If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it."
Gen 3:8-11 And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. (9) Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, "Where are you?" (10) So he said, "I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself." (11) And He said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?"
Did God know the answers to His own questions? Yes. He knew they had taken of the forbidden fruit. He knew their eyes were open and they were exposed. He knew they had rebelled and disobeyed God. Yet God came anyway. God showed up for that relationship.
When we sin God is not far from us. He is not running from us. He pursues us. He desires for a relationship with us. It is our flesh that tells us that we cannot get to God. God is searching. He is searching this morning.
Isa 59:1 Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear.
Mat 11:28-30 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (29) Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (30) For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
Mat 11:28 MSG "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. 29 Walk with me and work with me--watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. 30 Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
Joh 15:16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.
As it is today it is humankind that is hiding from God. Just as Adam here is hiding from God, God is not hiding from Adam.
God came looking for Adam and Eve. He knew they had filled themselves with the knowledge of good and evil. “They pursued Him (God) according to what appeared to be “good” and “evil” and “pleasing” and “desirable”. Their pursuit didn’t appear bad, painful, or repulsive, but it was. It was a way of thinking that leads to death.
Life (anointing) or Victimization
“Throughout the Old and New Testament the Holy Spirit clearly requires godly people to change their ways of thinking. The knowledge of good and evil is so deceptive and subtle, if we don’t guard His life in our hearts by obeying we can become quickly deceived and find ourselves separated from life, which always results in victimization”
Gen 3:12-13 Then the man said, "The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate." (13) And the Lord God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."
This is the second evidence of death. The first was to be exposed and void of innocence, the second is to blame. Man blames woman and woman blames the serpent and God.
When we have a knowledge of good and evil then we know set up systems to do better of blame others for our failures. We must learn that life does not come from systems but from an intimate relationship with God.
We must pull down any thoughts that separate us from God and faith in God.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. (4) For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, (5) casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
“It’s the knowledge of good and evil that gives us a values system which tells us that we are naked and should hide from god. It’s also the knowledge of good and evil that gives us the parameters which to judge so we can say “Eve did it”, and “The snake did it”.
God’s Redemptive Plan
But God had a plan. This could not be fixed by Adam and Eve nor can we fix our unrighteousness.
Gen 3:21 Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them.
Prophesied in Isaiah 53
Isa 53:4-6 Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. (5) But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. (6) All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
Fulfilled in the New Testament
2 Corinthians 5:1-3 For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (2) For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, (3) if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked.
2 Corinthians 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
1 John 2:1-2 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. (2) And He Himself is the propitiation (atonement, appeasement, satisfaction) for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us [21] to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit,
It is time we quit playing the blame game and walk in life. When we are blaming others and living in a spirit of religion we are not giving life. When we are walking in sin we are living in death.
God wants us to have life. God wants us to be a church that gives life. We need to be careful how we speak about and over people.
“They will never change”
“They did this . . . “
“If God can save them . . . “
