The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum The Holiness of God

God placed the “Tree of knowledge of good and evil” in the “middle of the garden” along with the “Tree of Life” (Gen 2:9). At that time, Adam and Eve only knew right and wrong by way of “commandment“ (2:16), but did not yet learn what “good and evil” was, which was evidenced by “they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed (2:25). It was when they partook of the “Tree” (3:7, 10, 11) that they inherited the knowledge of good and evil.

God being omniscient knew they would partake of the Tree, even when He was commanding not to partake. But could this be the way He wanted to teach them His holiness, via now knowing good and evil? It’s obvious they would not have known what His holiness was without knowing good and evil.

I believe God had to show them this way to get them to understand everything! Before Eve partook of the Tree she “saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise” (3:6). It’s not said why Adam partook, but for whatever reason he had decided to also partake. In my opinion it could be so he could die with her. But the crux of the matter is that they were manifesting possessing the sin nature before partaking of the Tree!

“These terms refer to desires that lead people away from spiritual values: the lust of the flesh represents cravings for physical pleasures, the lust of the eyes signifies a desire for what one sees, and the pride of life indicates an arrogance about one's achievements and possessions. Together, they illustrate the temptations of worldly living that are not aligned with spiritual teachings.” -Bible Hub

We could say that it was all good because “we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose” (Ro 8:28).

-NC