In Genesis chapter 2 we read how God created man, placed him in a beautiful paradise, provided all he needed, and even walked in the garden with him. What more could man have wanted? What more could God have provided? Though God gave humanity the ability to choose (not being created either as a puppet nor a robot) He still gave direction through His commands.
When God first placed man in the garden it was with the following very simple commands:
“(15) The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. (16) And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, ‘You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, (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.’” (Genesis 2:15-17 ESV)
A simple command dealing with what was permissible and what was not. When we turn to chapter three, we find a choice was made.
“(2) And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, (3) but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” (4) But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. (5) For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (6) So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. (7) Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.” (Genesis 3:2-7 ESV)
Therein lies the challenge humanity has dealt with ever since. God commands, but humanity thinks (or is led to think) differently. God commands, but humanity comes up with another option and chooses it. When we reject God’s commands, what we are actually declaring is we think we have a better idea than God! It is an act of rejecting God’s word and making a decision based on our own judgment. Is it any wonder we have so many problems in our society, our world, and even in our own lives?
Over the next few days we will consider four passages dealing with the reality of what is the better idea.
Have a great day KNOWING THE FATHER KNOWS BEST!
Carl
