Love God Greatly: In the BeginningSample

When God created the orchard He planted two important trees: the tree of life and the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. (This is the first reference the writer of Genesis made to good and evil.) The placement of the trees in the orchard set the stage for what was to come, the continual struggle and choice for the man and his offspring between good and evil. 

When God placed the man in the orchard to care for and maintain it, He gave the man specific instructions. He commanded the man not to eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. God knew that if the man were to eat from this tree he would die. The idea of death introduced in this command was more than a physical death, though that was included as well. The death that would occur for the man if he ate from the tree was a separation or alienation from God, causing a dramatic change in his relationship with his Creator.

The command to not eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil is the first command God gave to humanity. In the same way all aspects of creation were designed with a purpose and intent, God had an intention with His command for the man. God knew what would happen if the man were to eat from the tree, so God told the man not to eat from it. 

God’s first command to the man was good. It was meant to preserve the man’s life. All of God’s commands are meant to do this. All of God’s commands preserve our lives, give us wisdom, and bring joy. They have great value and purpose, and in following them we find guidance and blessing. While it is easy to see how this first command of God’s was right, it is not always as easy to see how all of God’s commands are right. When we keep our hearts fixed on Him we find wisdom in His commands and joy and life in keeping them. 

Prayer:

Father God, Your law is perfect. Your law preserves my life. I can rely on Your instruction and gain wisdom from Your commands. I believe Your words are of greater value than gold. Help me desire Your way over mine. Amen.