The tree of the knowledge of good and evil, why was it created and placed on earth?

[Runningman]

What was the purpose for the creation of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil? And why was it created and placed on earth?

Most likely not literal since people don't gain new knowledge of good and evil from eating fruit from a tree. God made fruits for people to eat and find nourishment for their bodies. All of this is in Genesis. Fruits are probably just something someone does.

For example, in Matthew 3:8 John says "Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance" which isn't something like an apple or an orange. Other places there are "fruits of the Holy Spirit" which aren't literal fruits.

 

[Carry_Your_Name]

Sorry, typo - the text was cut off.
What I mean is, I do not think the primary intention of Genesis 2:24 is about sex. Only the 'become one flesh' aspect relates in this way. I certainly don't think that libido played any part in Genesis 3; there is no indication of that. In particular, Adam's decision. But there is a direct relationship to Genesis 2:24 in Adam's choice: he effectively leaves God, his Father, to cling to his wife.
When God declared this in Genesis 2, I don't think the intention is to convey, as you put, that boys would rebel against their parents to pursue lust, and marry the objects of that lust. This makes no sense in the context of God providing Woman to Adam, tho it may be seen readily as a perversion of God's will for marriage.
In Genesis 2 we aren't talking about perversions of God's will, but of His 'very good' creation.
In Genesis 3 God does not indicate that Adam has pursued lust, but has 'listened to the voice of his wife'

So this is what I am saying, that Adam's actions are a reflection of Genesis 2:24, in that he left his Father for her sake. Not that libido had anything to do with it. What I have been objecting to is characterizing Genesis 2:24 in terms of fornication or of dishonoring ones parents, and of framing Adam and Woman's actions in any kind of sexual context.

We’re not on the same page to begin with. I’m talking about Gen. 2:24 in the context of Matt. 19:1-10 and 1 Cor. 6:12-20. There was no “sexual context” in Gen 2-3 because there was none, I already told you it started in Gen 4:1.

 

[posthuman]

We’re not on the same page to begin with. I’m talking about Gen. 2:24 in the context of Matt. 19:1-10 and 1 Cor. 6:12-20. There was no “sexual context” in Gen 2-3 because there was none, I already told you it started in Gen 4:1.

well i'm talking about why Genesis 2:24 happens to be written immediately before Genesis 3.
because the subject of this thread is Genesis 2-3

sorry if i presumed you weren't introducing an entirely different -- what i was trying to bring out is that Genesis 2:24-25 is directly related to the paragraphs that follow it. the chapter breaks are artificial additions to scripture; often we need to ignore them to get what is going on.
for another example chapter 4 is not dissociated from chapters 2-3. the things that occur in 3 immediately before 4 explain everything that happens in 4.

because seeing the whole picture is going to help us better understand why the two trees are there

 

[Carry_Your_Name]

well i'm talking about why Genesis 2:24 happens to be written immediately before Genesis 3.
because the subject of this thread is Genesis 2-3

sorry if i presumed you weren't introducing an entirely different -- what i was trying to bring out is that Genesis 2:24-25 is directly related to the paragraphs that follow it. the chapter breaks are artificial additions to scripture; often we need to ignore them to get what is going on.
for another example chapter 4 is not dissociated from chapters 2-3. the things that occur in 3 immediately before 4 explain everything that happens in 4.

because seeing the whole picture is going to help us better understand why the two trees are there

Genesis 2:24-25 is the conclusion of the passage right BEFORE it, not after:

And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. And Adam said: “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called woman, because she was taken out of man.”

Since woman was made out of man, the two WERE one flesh. God created woman not because Adam asked for a partner based on his observation of animals, he never said "it's not good for me to be alone," instead God said that it was not good for Adam to be alone. And that was all on Day 6 where God created male and female in His image.

 

[A-Sword-Cometh]

God just made it as a tree that's all. There's no problem with the tree being in the Garden. The problem is when man and woman disobeyed and ate from it, albeit they did this indirectly because the woman was possessed and the man trusted her and did not know what he was doing, hence they have a measure of innocence and grace afforded to them as long as they obey God.

 

[Magenta]

God just made it as a tree that's all. There's no problem with the tree being in the Garden. The problem is when man and woman disobeyed and ate from it, albeit they did this indirectly because the woman was possessed and the man trusted her and did not know what he was doing, hence they have a measure of innocence and grace afforded to them as long as they obey God.

Eve was possessed? Adam didn't know what he was doing?

That is not in the Bible. Eve was deceived but Adam was not.

 

[A-Sword-Cometh]

Eve was possessed? Adam didn't know what he was doing?

That is not in the Bible. Eve was deceived but Adam was not.

Exactly. Eve was possessed by the first demons which are the Three Lies which the serpent cast into her mind. When they were cast into her mind she was possessed, and we know this because we know what's going on in her head in the verse 6 how she's looking at the fruit that it is a fruit to be desired, a fruit to make her wise. Which of course is not at all what happened nor is true, but shows she is possessed, she believed the Three Lies and they overran her mind and bent her perception of reality. Then she gave to Adam and he ate also. He did not know what was going on since he is the most innocent in the story, and in fairness, no one had ever been possessed before, this is of course the first case of it ever and how Satan made the demons. This is indicated by Adam telling God why he ate, Adam just tells the plain truth, that he ate cause the woman gave it to him, he didn't know anything outside of this, he only knew what happened to him. It then takes woman's confession to find the full story, when she rightly confesses the truth that she got tricked by Satan.

 

[Evmur]

I don't see it as a test. The bible clearly teaches that God tempts no man to evil. The tree is simply there, it is an integral part of creation and so must be necessary to it.

God did not say you have the choice to eat thereof or not, He strictly forbade them. They did have a choice but God wasn't giving them the choice.

Most of us have an electric box in our homes and we warn the kids "see that box? don't touch it, stay away from it."

 

[Webers.Home]

.
Had a bird, a bat, an insect, or a grizzly bear eaten some fruit from the
forbidden tree: would it have give them an intuitive sense of right and
wrong?
_

 

[Blik]

.
Had a bird, a bat, an insect, or a grizzly bear eaten some fruit from the
forbidden tree: would it have give them an intuitive sense of right and
wrong?
_

No. They were not created with that ability.

 

[Webers.Home]

.
The woman was first to taste the forbidden fruit and when she did, nothing
happened. She remained just as shameless in the buff as before. It wasn't
till the man tasted the fruit that the woman began to feel indecent, and thus
motivated to put something on; especially over her pelvic area.
_

 

[Carry_Your_Name]

I don't see it as a test. The bible clearly teaches that God tempts no man to evil. The tree is simply there, it is an integral part of creation and so must be necessary to it.

God did not say you have the choice to eat thereof or not, He strictly forbade them. They did have a choice but God wasn't giving them the choice.

Most of us have an electric box in our homes and we warn the kids "see that box? don't touch it, stay away from it."

Tests and tirals are not temptation. God uses tests and trials to build character. God certainly hates human sacrifice to Moloch, but why did he order Abraham to sacrifice Isaac on Mount Mariah? That was a test of faith, to see if Abraham was willing to sacrifice Isaac, his beloved son whom he held dearest to him for obedience to God.

 

[Evmur]

Tests and tirals are not temptation. God uses tests and trials to build character. God certainly hates human sacrifice to Moloch, but why did he order Abraham to sacrifice Isaac on Mount Mariah? That was a test of faith, to see if Abraham was willing to sacrifice Isaac, his beloved son whom he held dearest to him for obedience to God.

God has foreknowledge, He does not need to test. To say He "tested" ... if I leave a fiver lying around it is a temptation for someone to steal it, you say God did it purposely, I don't think so.

You saying all the wars, the murders, the raping and pillage that happens because God [despite having foreknowledge] "tested" man to build his character.

I say evil is a fact, absolutely essential to creation. Evil is essential to creation in the same way that electricity is essential to our needs and comfort. But man is not created to himself partake [imbibe] evil any more than man is able himself to become electrified.... lest he die.

Therefore God forbids us to become electrified, He forbade man to partake of the knowledge of good and evil.

 

[Evmur]

.
Had a bird, a bat, an insect, or a grizzly bear eaten some fruit from the
forbidden tree: would it have give them an intuitive sense of right and
wrong?
_

Adam KNEW it was wrong, no intuition needed. Eve said herself "we may not partake of it or touch it lest we die" It was an outright rebellion against God's command.

 

[Carry_Your_Name]

God has foreknowledge, He does not need to test. To say He "tested" ... if I leave a fiver lying around it is a temptation for someone to steal it, you say God did it purposely, I don't think so.

You saying all the wars, the murders, the raping and pillage that happens because God [despite having foreknowledge] "tested" man to build his character.

I say evil is a fact, absolutely essential to creation. Evil is essential to creation in the same way that electricity is essential to our needs and comfort. But man is not created to himself partake [imbibe] evil any more than man is able himself to become electrified.... lest he die.

Therefore God forbids us to become electrified, He forbade man to partake of the knowledge of good and evil.

This is absolutely false. All those evil things happen because this is a broken and fallen world controlled by Satan who kills, steals and destroys. Those who don't have the knowledge of good and evil are doomed to do evil while convinced that they are doing good, just as it was said Isaiah 5:20. In 1 Kings 3, Solomon specifically asked for wishdom to discern between good and evil, God not only granted his wish, and commended him for NOT asking for eternal life. So in that case, choosing the tree of knowledge was a blessing, choosing the tree of life would be a curse.

And of course, God has foreknowledge, God is omniscient, He knows everything, He is the beginning and the end. He didn't "need" to test, Adam needed that test. When Adam and Eve were hiding from God's presence, you think God didn't know where they were? God wanted them to come forward and confess what they'd done wrong, it was a lesson to learn. And God never planned to make Adam the messiah with the annointing of the Holy Spirit, Adam was the prototype of Christ. In Adam is death, in Christ, the SECOND and LAST Adam, is eternal life.

 

[Evmur]

This is absolutely false. All those evil things happen because this is a broken and fallen world controlled by Satan who kills, steals and destroys. Those who don't have the knowledge of good and evil are doomed to do evil while convinced that they are doing good, just as it was said Isaiah 5:20. In 1 Kings 3, Solomon specifically asked for wishdom to discern between good and evil, God not only granted his wish, and commended him for NOT asking for eternal life. So in that case, choosing the tree of knowledge was a blessing, choosing the tree of life would be a curse.

And of course, God has foreknowledge, God is omniscient, He knows everything, He is the beginning and the end. He didn't "need" to test, Adam needed that test. When Adam and Eve were hiding from God's presence, you think God didn't know where they were? God wanted them to come forward and confess what they'd done wrong, it was a lesson to learn. And God never planned to make Adam the messiah with the annointing of the Holy Spirit, Adam was the prototype of Christ. In Adam is death, in Christ, the SECOND and LAST Adam, is eternal life.

People have my view, it is different to yours, they can compare and decide which is right.

 

[TMS]

Eve was amazed, for she knew that to the serpent God had not given the power of speech.
Instead of fleeing from the spot, she listened to hear a serpent talk. It did not occur to her mind that it might be that fallen foe, using the serpent as a medium. It was Eve was beguiled, flattered, infatuated. Had she met a commanding personage, possessing a form like the angels, and resembling them, she would have been upon her guard. But she enters into a controversy with the serpent. She answers his question, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden. But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.” The serpent answers, “Ye shall not surely die; for God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.”
Satan would convey the idea that by eating of the forbidden tree, they would receive a new and more noble kind of knowledge than they had before. This has been his special work with great success ever since his fall, to lead men to pry into the secrets of the Almighty, and not to be satisfied with what God has revealed, and not careful to obey that which was commanded. He would lead them to disobey God’s commands, and then make them believe that they are entering a wonderful field of knowledge. Then and today we fail to understand what God has revealed, we disregard his explicit commandments, aspire after wisdom, independent of God, and seek to understand that which he has been pleased to withhold from mortals. They are elated with their ideas of progression, and charmed with their own vain philosophy. It was not the will of God that this sinless pair should have any knowledge of evil. He had freely given them the good, but withheld the evil. Eve thought the words of the serpent wise, and she received the broad assertion, “Ye shall not surely die; for God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil,”—making God a liar.

It was to test their faith, trust, love, and obedience to God.
God did everything He could to protect them from Evil except forcing them. .

 

[one2question]

I don’t know how the world was at creation and I don’t know how you know that the world was evil but this is more about the state of mind of Adam and Eve. There were in a child-like state. No clue of their consequences or what death meant.
So why are we here? To appreciate God more and sing praises to Him out of free will. Because free will makes you appreciate God more than when you are in a child-like state in presence of God.

Yes Eli1, what a great privilege to know the Creator and to be able to praise Him and that He would accept our praise and recognition of who He is. To want to reveal Himself to us through what he did from the creation of this universe AND through us to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms (Eph 3:7-13).

 

[one2question]

Eve was amazed, for she knew that to the serpent God had not given the power of speech.
Instead of fleeing from the spot, she listened to hear a serpent talk. It did not occur to her mind that it might be that fallen foe, using the serpent as a medium. It was Eve was beguiled, flattered, infatuated. Had she met a commanding personage, possessing a form like the angels, and resembling them, she would have been upon her guard. But she enters into a controversy with the serpent. She answers his question, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden. But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.” The serpent answers, “Ye shall not surely die; for God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.”
Satan would convey the idea that by eating of the forbidden tree, they would receive a new and more noble kind of knowledge than they had before. This has been his special work with great success ever since his fall, to lead men to pry into the secrets of the Almighty, and not to be satisfied with what God has revealed, and not careful to obey that which was commanded. He would lead them to disobey God’s commands, and then make them believe that they are entering a wonderful field of knowledge. Then and today we fail to understand what God has revealed, we disregard his explicit commandments, aspire after wisdom, independent of God, and seek to understand that which he has been pleased to withhold from mortals. They are elated with their ideas of progression, and charmed with their own vain philosophy. It was not the will of God that this sinless pair should have any knowledge of evil. He had freely given them the good, but withheld the evil. Eve thought the words of the serpent wise, and she received the broad assertion, “Ye shall not surely die; for God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil,”—making God a liar.

It was to test their faith, trust, love, and obedience to God.
God did everything He could to protect them from Evil except forcing them. .

I questioned if God did everything especially if He foresaw what they were going to do what they did and still included a tree they were forbidden to eat of and allowed the deceiver/tempted to enter into their world. It would seems that God set Eve up and through her Adam to cause an offence (disobedience). The tree being the temptation and the tempter Satan, what chance did they have for an unlimited period of time as they had access to the tree of life IF they didn't eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God knew of and planned for their offence.

 

[one2question]

When God is omniscient.

Good question.

Exactly. Did it come as a surprise to Him when Eve and Adam ate of that tree? Did God need to then come up with a plan B in response to their actions that God did not see coming?