Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - TREES

TREES

There are many stories in the Bible, and some people believe that many of these are not really true but there for illustrative purposes only. However, if you believe in the Bible, it’s important to believe that these stories at least have an element of truth in them, for even Jesus referred to Adam in His talks.

One story refers to the Garden of Eden and what events took place there. Most people are familiar with the story that:

…God planted a garden eastward in Eden, 

and there He put the man whom He had formed. 

And out of the ground the Lord God made every tree grow 

that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. 

The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, 

and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. 

(Genesis 2:8-9) 

Now of all the trees in the garden only two are specifically mentioned. Most people, certainly most Christians, are familiar with what happened when the fruit of the forbidden tree was eaten contrary to the instructions of God and the price we have been paying ever since.

But there was apparently no restriction on the other tree, and if one had eaten the fruit from that tree, evidently eternal life would have been obtained. Was it the intention of God that man would have the opportunity to enjoy life eternal right from the beginning when he was still free from sin, guilt, fear and worry? What a different world we would now be living in. However, once sin occurred, the tree of life had to be restricted from man, lest he then would live eternally in a sinful state and the present world gives some indication of what that would be like if everyone could do as they wish and still live forever. Thus,

…He drove out the man; 

and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, 

and a flaming sword which turned every way, 

to guard the way of the tree of life.

(Genesis 3:24)

Now this was all written about 1000-1500 years before Christ, although it may have been in oral form even before that. Why would someone conceive of such a tale if there was not at least some element of truth to it? And then it disappears from the story not to be heard again until John writes about it in the Book of Revelation in about the year 90 AD.

“He who has an ear, 

let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. 

To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, 

which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” 

“Blessed are those who do His commandments, 

that they may have the right to the tree of life, 

and may enter through the gates into the city.”

(Revelation 2:7 and 22:14) 

So it was approximately 1100-1600 years after the tree of life was first mentioned, that it appeared again in the text in the same context. Is this just fortuitous or does it show a true aspect of the existence of such a growth in antiquity? It was geared and kept from man after he fell into sin so eternal life could not be obtained to one of a sinful nature, but has been opened to man after the commandments of God have been kept.

“‘…You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, 

with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. 

This is the first commandment. 

And the second, like it, is this: 

You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ 

There is no other commandment greater than these.”

(Mark 12:30-31)

A world filled with people of sin who would have eternal life would be a fate we should all want to avoid; but an eternity with those who follow the commandments of God would be something we should all look forward to. 

The tree of life - certainly something to think about.