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NASB | Genesis 2:9 Out of the ground the LORD God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Genesis 2:9 And [in that garden] the LORD God caused to grow from the ground every tree that is desirable and pleasing to the sight and good (suitable, pleasant) for food; the tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the [experiential] knowledge (recognition) of [the difference between] good and evil. [Rev 2:7; 22:14, 19] |
Subject: was Gods intention to eat forbid. fruit |
Bible Note: Dear Cherrie, This is a good question. But I don't think that the answer is all that hard to understand. God did not intend for Adam and Eve to eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. He intended for them to eat from every other tree in the garden and the Tree of Life. But God has made humans with a capacity to choose. He wanted it that way. This is the way God chose to allow man to make his own choice about his source of life. Please let me state something here. Just because God knows what will happen DOES NOT invalidate or negate our choices. Unfortunately, we, as humans are not omniscient. Therefore, we CANNOT enter into understanding it. Omniscience is one of God's divine attributes. It is not ours. Because we have no experience with it, nor can we fully comprehend it, we have no right to judge God's plan. God created man in His image and man has been trying to return the favor ever since. So for us to imply that if God knew man would sin, He should never have put the opportunity there, I believe, we are over-stepping our bounds. God desired a creature that would choose to love and obey Him. You cannot have true love and true obedience without a choice. You can create robots without love and obedience but not what God calls humans. Adam and Eve chose the wrong tree. But God had, in mercy, a plan of redemption through Jesus Christ even before the world began. I DO NOT understand this completely. But I do accept it because God says it is so. Consider 2 Pet 3:9 - 'The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.' God wills, desires, intends for none to perish. But it happens anyway. People go into eternity every day not knowing God, not having eternal life. Is this God's will? No. This is man's will. God has provided a way, through the sacrifice of His Son, for us to have eternal life. He has done everything He can do to redeem us EXCEPT to break our wills. We MUST choose. Dear Cherrie, do not confuse God's desires, intentions, and will with His omniscience. Does God know who will accept Him and who will reject Him? Yes, I believe He does. We do not. But that does not invalidate our right or privelege to choose Him. I hope that this clarifies my answer. Blessings to you, Bill Mc |