The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.

The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.

This Tree mentioned in Genesis 2:15-17 (“The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, 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.”) is set apart from another Tree, named The Tree of Life. The latter clearly depicts immortality or everlasting life. It is mentioned again in Revelation 2:7; 22:2, 14, and 19.  Understanding the role the the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil (The Knowledge Tree), is more complex.

Common understanding of The Knowledge Tree is that it is simply the ‘test-tree’ as to whether Adam and Eve will choose to obey God. Eat it “you shall surely die.” We could leave the argument there. It is a ‘test-tree’ so to speak. But the Scriptures give this Knowledge Tree more importance than that.

The Knowledge Tree occupied centre stage with the Tree of Life, in the centre of the Garden (Genesis 2:9b). Satan’s temptation includes a concept more that just a ‘test-tree.’ “ For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:5). The eating of it is more than an act of rebellion but is an act that invites a knowledge of good and evil. There appears to be a wisdom benefit. That benefit is affirmed by our God. When Adam and Eve hide and God comes looking for them, they tell God they are hiding because they recognize that they are naked. God said to them,  “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” The fact that they knew they were naked alerts God to the reality that they ate from the Knowledge Tree.

A popular understanding of this Tree is found in the ESV Study Bible notes, “Of these possibilities, the last is the most likely: by their obedience or disobedience the human couple will come to know good and evil by experience.”[1] This strikes as a plausible explanation. To disobey God is to experience evil and the wages of evil is death (Romans 6:23). But that does not satisfy my enquiry, particularly considering Satan’s challenge: “you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Someone may argue that Satan is just deceiving, lying, using false information. But the narrative does not support that. In v3:7 we are told that their eyes were opened; and in v3:22 God says, “Man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil.”  So, my point is that although the eating of Knowledge Tree was a test, it also produced an effect. Adam and Eve become something like God in knowledge. The question is like what? Reading Christopher Watkin’s book: “Biblical Critical Theory,” he offers a better answer.

“The way in which God himself knows good and evil is not simply that he recognizes what is already good and already evil independently of his judgment, for the very good reason that nothing exists independently of his judgment. God knows good and evil in the sense that he has the authority to decide what is good and what is evil because his moral character is woven into the very fabric of the creation order, as we saw in the chapter on the creation of the universe.”[2]

 

When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, they entered a realm of wisdom that assumed they had the authority to decide what was right and what was wrong. Is this not the case today with all of Adam’s children? We think we can be the arbitrators of truth, what is good and what is evil. Mark Brians affirms this in his article: “Two Trees in Eden and What They Mean:”

 

“Rather, the knowledge of good and evil suggests authority to rule and exercise judgement. It is what God does throughout the creation cycle. He sees what he has made and declares it “good” (e.g., Genesis 1:10 or “very good,” Genesis 1:31 or “not good” (Genesis 2:18).”[3]

 

When our progenitors sinned, they not only bequeathed to us a sin nature bent on disobedience to God our Sovereign Creator, but they also transferred to us the insane wisdom that assumed we could figure out, in ourselves, what is right and what is wrong. Rather than draw us into closer relationship with God (like Him) “knowing good and evil,” only serves to separate them from him.” [4]  Imagine the horror: people with a nature perpetually leaning toward disobedience to God, who at the same time take it upon themselves to determine what is right and what is wrong; what is good and what is evil?

This is in fact what has occurred. Our culture has decided that we can figure out what is acceptable and what is not. We decide whose life is worth keeping. We decide what gender we are. We decide what constitutes marriage. The list seems endless. We who are dependent created beings, utterly affected by sin in every dimension of life have believed the lie that we can decide what is good and what is evil. It is insane.

 

Before Jesus went to the Cross, to suffer for the sins of all who would believe in Him, Pilate questioned him. Pilate was in a place of political power. Pilate was one who was commissioned to make judgments on various matters. Listen to part of the discourse:

Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose, I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate said to him, “What is truth? (John 18:37-38). Previously before His disciples, the people “of the truth,” Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). It is in union with Christ that truth can be found. Determinations of right and wrong, good, and evil are only assured through the Person and the Word of Jesus. Truth is anchored in God's nature, personality, and attributes. Because God is truth, he defines what truth is. This means that truth is objective, not relative. There is no such thing as “your truth” or “my truth.” There is only God’s Truth.

 

God never intended humankind to eat of this Tree. It was impossible for humans to bear the responsibility to be the determiners of right and wrong.

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[1] Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (p. 54). Crossway Bibles.

[2] Biblical Critical Theory: How the Bible's Unfolding Story Makes Sense of Modern Life and Culture by Christopher Watkin

[3] https://www.logos.com/grow/hall-tree-knowledge-good-evil/#easy-footnote-bottom-2-128304

[4] Wenham, G. J. (1987). Genesis 1–15 (Vol. 1, p. 74). Word, Incorporated.

 

Making Sense of God’s Covenant with Noah

Making Sense of God’s Covenant with Noah

Background

The Noahic Covenant, found in Genesis 9:8-17, is the promise that God made to Noah and his descendants after the flood that He would never again destroy the earth by water and would preserve it through to Christ’s Coming. The Noahic Covenant has several distinguishing features. First, it is an unconditional covenant. Second, it was made to Noah and all his descendants as well as “every living creature” and the earth in general (Genesis 9:8-10). This means that it is a Covenant made to all humanity, not just Israel, nor the Church. Third, it was sealed with a sign, the rainbow, as a perpetual reminder of this gracious (gracious because it is unconditional) promise.

Alister Wilson and James A. Grant remind us that “the idea of covenant is fundamental to the Bible’s story. At its most basic, covenant presents God’s desire to enter into relationship with men and women created in his image ... Covenant is all about relationship between the Creator and his creation.” [The God of Covenant]. Daniel C. Lane would add that it is made under oath, “under threat of divine curse.” [The Mean and Use of the Old Testament Term Covenant].

Important to our topic of the The Noahic Covenant, Peter Gentry [Kingdom Through Covenant] has highlighted the crucial difference between “creating a covenant” (karat berit) and “renewing/establishing a covenant previously created” (heqim berit). Why is that important? It is because heqim berit is the only phrase used in the Covenant with Noah. This is important because it implies that the Noahic Covenant is not new but in fact a re-affirmation of an earlier Covenant, namely the Creation Covenant or named by some, The Adamic Covenant. The only difference is that the Covenant with Adam involved an innocent person. The Covenant with Noah is with sinful humankind.

As noted previously the Noahic Covenant is made unilaterally or unconditionally. The context of a sinful humanity in a curse world cannot thwart the promise of God. Peter Gentry also makes the case that when the term Covenant is used it should be viewed as the other side of the word Torah. The Torah is the instruction given within the Covenant. Gentry likens it to “faith” and “repentance” which are two-sides of the same coin. This is critical to understanding the Noahic Covenant, for there is both the Covenant stated and the instructions within the Covenant that form the whole. So we see this in the Noahic Covenant. It includes the Promise (the Covenant) and the Torah (instructions or stewardship of the Covenant).

Examining the Scripture passage the following structural diagram tries to portray the Author’s intent.

Summary

The Covenant Promise: God will preserve the world until the Coming of Christ (2 Peter 3:10). 

The Covenant Torah (Instruction): God gave Noah and all future descendants stewardship over the world, including caring for it, cultivating it, and eating animals without fear of punishment. And secondly, He gave all humanity the responsibility of preserving life. All humankind is to be “pro life.”

The Covenant Sign: The sign of the covenant was the rainbow, which God set in the clouds. God said, “When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the gracious and kind Covenant” (Genesis 9:16). 

 

The New Testament picks up this expression, often referred to as “common grace.”  In Matthew 5:45b we hear these words of Jesus: “for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”  What Promise is behind this grace of God? “Neither will I ever again strike down every living creature as I have done. While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.” (Genesis 8:21-22)

 

Implications

 

In the Noahic Covenant made with all humanity, regardless of moral character, religion or nationality, God promises to preserve the earth as long as it remains (or better: until Christ comes). This has incredible implications to current discussions on climate and the environment. Lest one become callous and seek to avoid any responsibility in that topic we are reminded that in this Covenant we are instructed to be stewards of creation.

 

Another aspect to the instructions within the Covenant includes the preservation of life. Current debates on abortion, euthanasia, voluntary suicide (MAID), etc., are assumed under this Covenant. I believe the concept of the value of human life also includes discussion on race, culture, and social status, etc. All humans bear God’s image and express equal value. The topic becomes huge when you consider categories such as medical/health care, self-defence and so on.

 

Lastly, God makes a covenant of grace to sinful humanity. The same holy and righteous God that created the world, established the Creation Covenant, re-affirms this Covenant. The experience of the Flood underscores His justice and wrath. Yet for a time He withholds His judgment and permits sinful man to enjoy both “the sunshine and the rain.”  But this is for a time. The Apostle Peter writes, “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed” (2 Peter 3:10).

 

As God did in the Flood, so too He does as the world expects the pending wrath of God — He offers a way of escape. Again, we hear Peter, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). Do not take advantage of this period of Common Grace, this period of the Noahic Covenant. There is judgment coming but “God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life,” Jesus (John 3:16).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Summary of “The Destruction of Jerusalem” by George Holford

 

The Destruction of Jerusalem by George Holford

 Copyright © 2017 by HardPress

Of the prophecies which have already been fulfilled, few, perhaps, are so interesting in themselves, or so striking in their accomplishment as those which relate to the destruction of Jerusalem and its temple, and the signal calamities which every where befell the Jewish nation . . . Whether we consider its architecture, its dimensions, its magnificence, its splendour, or the sacred purposes to which it was dedicated, it must equally . be regarded as the most astonishing fabric that was ever constructed.

“Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age.” The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Mt 24:3). (2016). Crossway Bibles.

             Such were the questions of the disciples, in answer to which our Lord condescended to give them a particular account of the several important events that would precede, as well as of the prognostics which would announce the approaching desolations; including suitable directions for the regulation of their conduct under the various trials to which they were to be exposed.

 

#1. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.  The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Mt 24:5). (2016). Crossway Bibles.

 

           The necessity for this friendly warning soon appeared; for within one year after our Lord's ascension, rose the Samaritan . . . deceivers rose up daily in Judea, and persuaded the people to follow them into the wilderness, assuring them that they should there behold conspicuous signs and wonders performed by the Almighty.

 

#2. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars . . . The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Mt 24:6). (2016). Crossway Bibles.

            One hundred and fifty of the copious pages of Josephus, which contain the history of this period, are every where stained with blood . . . "The extent of this slaughter," says Josephus, " had no parallel in any former period of their history” . . . not less than ten thousand Jews were trodden to death in the streets . . . This event laid the foundation of a most cruel and sanguinary contest between the two nations.

#3. And there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Mt 24:7). (2016). Crossway Bibles.

            Of these significant emblems of political commotions, there occurred several within the scene of this prophecy, and, as our Saviour predicted, in divers places . . . "A heavy storm (says Josephus) burst on them during the night; violent winds arose, accompanied with the most excessive rains, with constant lightnings, most tremendous thundering s, and with dreadful roarings of earthquakes. It seemed (continues he) as if the system of the world had been confounded for the destruction of mankind; and one might well conjecture that these were signs of no common events!"

             Our Lord predicted "famines" also. Of these the principal was that which foretold would happen in the days of Claudius, as related in the Acts of the Apostles.

            Our Saviour adds "pestilences" likewise. Pestilence treads upon the heels of famine . . . The first took place at Babylon, about A. D. 40, and raged so alarmingly, that great multitudes of Jews fled from that city to Seleucid for safety, as hath been hinted already. The other happened at Rome, A. D. 65, and carried off prodigious multitudes. Both Tacitus and Suetonius also record, that similar calamities prevailed, during this period, in various other parts of the Roman empire.

“4. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Lk 21:11). (2016). Crossway Bibles.

1.              " A meteor, resembling a sword, hung over Jerusalem during one whole year."

2.               "On the eighth of the month Zanthicus (before the feast of unleavened bread), at the ninth hour of the night, there shone round about the altar, and the circumjacent buildings of the temple, a light equal * Luke xxi- 11. t Vide 1 Charon. xxi. 16, to the brightness of the day, which continued for the space of half an hour."

3.               “As the High.Priests were leading a heifer to the altar to be sacrificed, she brought forth a lamb, in the midst of the temple."

4.               Another

5.               Another

6.               Another

7.               As the last and most fearful omen, Josephus relates that one Jesus, the son of Ana nus, a rustic of the lower class, during the feast of tabernacles, suddenly exclaimed in the temple, "A voice from the east ,—a voice from the west—a voice from the four winds—a voice against Jerusalem and the temple—a voice against bridegrooms and brides—a voice against the whole people!" These words he incessantly proclaimed aloud both day and night, through all the streets of Jerusalem, for seven years and five months together, commencing at a time (A. D. 62)

#5. But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you . . . and some of you they will put to death. The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Lk 21:12–16). (2016). Crossway Bibles.

 

            In the very infancy of the christian church, these unmerited and unprovoked cruelties began to be inflicted. Our Lord, and his forerunner John the Baptist, had already * Luke xxi. 12. f Mark xiii. 9. \ Luke xxi. 16. been put to death; the apostles Peter and John were first imprisoned, and then, together with the other apostles, were scourged before the Jewish council; Stephen, after confounding the Sanhedrin with his irresistible eloquence, was stoned to death . . .

#6. You will be hated by all for my name’s sake.  The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Lk 21:17). (2016). Crossway Bibles.

 

            "It was a war," says  "against the very name; to be a christian was of itself crime enough." And to the same effect is that expression of Pliny in his letter to Trajan; "I asked them whether they were Christians; if they confessed it, I asked them a second * Mat. xxiv. 9. and a third time, threatening them with punishment, and those who persevered I commanded to be led away to death.

#7. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Mt 24:10). (2016). Crossway Bibles.

 

            Speaking of the persecutions of the Christians under Nero, to which we have just alluded, he adds, "several were seized, who confessed, and by their discovery a great multitude of others were convicted and barbarously executed."

#8. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end [of the Jewish dispensation – author’s interpretation] will come.  The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Mt 24:14). (2016). Crossway Bibles.

            St. Paul too, in his Epistle to the Romans, informs them that "their faith was spoken of throughout the world f and in that to the Colossi and he observes, that the "Gospel had been preached to every creature under heaven." Clement, who was a fellow-labourer with the Apostle, relates of him that " he taught the whole world righteousness, travelling from the east westward to the borders of the ocean."  says that "the Apostles preached the Gospel in all the world, and that some of them passed beyond the bounds of the ocean and visited the Britannic isles":" so says Theodore t also.

CONCLUSION

“Such, briefly, is the account that history gives of the several events and signs, which our Lord had foretold would precede the destruction of the Holy City. No sooner were his predictions accomplished, than a most unaccountable infatuation seized upon the whole Jewish nation; so that they not only provoked, but seemed even to rush into the midst of those unparalleled calamities, which at length totally overwhelmed them.”

 

 

Let Me Think About It!

In recent studies of the Gospel of Luke, three comments about Mary grabbed my attention. They all had to do with her “pondering.”  This “pondering” happened first when Gabriel told her of her Son, our Saviour (Luke 1:29[1]). Again, it is recorded that when the shepherds approach Jesus and Mary on Christmas night, she ponders (Luke 2:17-19[2]). She ponders again when she finds Jesus in the Temple, “And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured[3] up all these things in her heart.”[4]

All three recordings of Mary pondering something in her heart were about Jesus, her son, our Lord.

1. Luke 1:29 - when angel Gabriel told her she would have a son
2. Luke 2:19 - at Jesus' birth
3. Luke 2:51 - when Jesus was 12 years old 

“The word for “ponder,” σνμβάλλουνσα  means to “preserve,” “treasure,” “protect and defend.” The same word is used in the LXX of Jacob’s puzzling over the meaning of Joseph’s dreams (Genesis 37:11). This word is in the imperfect tense, connoting something ongoing; thus, “to continue to ruminate,” even “to wrestle with.”[5]  The thought that occurs to me is this: “How often am I content just to think, wrestle with, ruminate over something.”  It is quick to “Google” something, check AI, or even consult resources. Mary had not known of those. She did know her Old Testament. As these events occurred in the life of Jesus, Luke took the opportunity to note that Mary just pondered, thought deeply about them. How did Luke know that? Mary must have told him or at least told someone that Luke interviewed for his Gospel. Luke must have thought it important that his readers were made aware of Mary’s reaction. He must have thought that this was important for us to know.

Mary has often been presented to us as a notable example of Christian discipleship. Perhaps her significant times of quiet, thoughtful meditation, wrestling with the profound truth before her, is one example we need to emulate? I am reminded of what Paul wrote to Timothy: “Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.”[6]  When was the last time any of us just pondered; just pondered for hours, days, months, years? Just pondered. The late Dr. Gresham Machen profoundly affirms, “When any new fact enters the human mind it must proceed to make itself at home; it must proceed to introduce itself to the previous denizens of the house. That process of introduction of new facts is called thinking.”^[7]

I used to make a joke with my girls when they asked for something that I never intended to give them or allow them. I would say, “Let me think about it, no.”  What was meant to be humour can often be reality in our world. We speak without thinking. I’m guilty. We think it reflects poorly on us if we do not always have a ready response. Perhaps, like Mary, we should ponder more. I recently read an excerpt from a Christmas article by Dr. Sinclair Ferguson. I immediately thought, “This man has been pondering.”   Note what he wrote:

“It’s staggering to the intellect. Indeed, I think one can say, if your intellect has never been staggered by the reality of the incarnation, you don’t know what incarnation means. It doesn’t mean Jesus was a little baby. It means the eternal, infinite, divine One, worshipped by Cherubim and Seraphim, Creator of all things, sustainer of all things, infinite in His being, wisdom, power, majesty, glory, who at a word could dissolve the world that had sinned against Him was willing to come into this world and assume our flesh in order to become our Saviour. It’s overwhelming.” [8]

Of all the possible options Mary had as she heard about and then gazed at her baby, the Scriptures teach us that she pondered, thought, reflected, wrestled wth this staggering reality that God, not giving up anything, but adding to Himself humanity was her baby and the Saviour of the World.

Mary, through the Gospel of Luke, has challenged me to ponder more. What about you? Similar to Ferguson’s thoughts, have we really pondered the Incarnation — the coming of God in the flesh, the God-Man, into this world? What was Mary thinking as she looked down at her baby? What did she think when she knew he was in debate with the religious leaders of his day, even at age twelve? As she looked into His face did all those well-known prophecies of the Messiah come flooding back? What did she marvel at when Simeon said, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”[9]  What was she thinking when she sang these words:

“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”[10]

Christmas provides for us the call for peace, for joy, for family and love. Christmas calls to worship. Is it possible that Christmas also invites us to ponder, to think — to think deeply, wrestling with the “staggering” truths that are before us?

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[1] But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be.” - The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Lk 1:29). (2016). Crossway Bibles.

[2] And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.” -The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Lk 2:17–19). (2016). Crossway Bibles.

[3] To keep carefully in her mind.

[4] The Holy3 Bible: English Standard Version (Lk 2:51). (2016). Crossway Bibles.

[5] Edwards, James R., Pillar Commentary Series, The Gospel According to Luke, Eerdman’s Publishing, Grand Rapids, MI, 2105

[6] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (2 Ti 2:6–7). (2016). Crossway Bibles.

[7] Gresham Machen, What Is Faith? (1937; repr. Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1991), 242.

[8]  https://www.ligonier.org/posts/why-god-man?srsltid=AfmBOoqSjxeMV8auvlwLpQDSTjfq-yYiII64jPvB-gLQ7wvMZ2HIUwv_

[9] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Lk 2:34–35). (2016). Crossway Bibles.

[10] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Lk 1:46–47). (2016). Crossway Bibles.