Two trees in the Garden of Eden are mentioned in Chapter 2 of the Book of Genesis, one the Tree of Life and the other the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Irish Scripture Scholar Frances Hogan explains how we are introduced to choice and free will. We are also told that the Tree of Knowledge is an apple tree; this is a representation of human sexuality because it is the most fruitful tree. The Tree of Life appears throughout the Bible, from Genesis to the Book of Revelation.

There is a stark comparison between the first Adam who chose the Tree of Knowledge and the last Adam, Jesus, who chose the Tree of Life. Because Jesus agreed to make atonement for the sins of Adam and his descendants, the Cross became the Tree of Life. Though the tree that Adam and Eve chose was planted by God and was not evil, it was human hands that corrupted it. In Chapter 3, we see the mystery of the enemy of the human race; because God forbade Adam and Eve to eat from the Tree of Knowledge, satan intervened and enticed them to eat it. Satan is trying to prevent as many of the children of Adam as possible from feeding from the Word of God.

The ignorance of evil is led Eve to dialogue with the serpent without understanding its disinformation and malintent. We see the first reaction of God to sin here; He cannot and will not tolerate sin. The problem is not whether an environment is good or evil, but it’s us, our choices, and our free will. It’s our response to God’s will and love. Love binds us to God and love binds us to our neighbor.

Bible References:

Ps. 145:17 - God only acts out of love1 John 4:7 - God is loveSong of Songs 2:5 - Apple tree represents human sexualityGen. 1:28 - Called to be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and conquer itDuet. 21:23 - Cursed be any man who hangs on a treeGal. 3:13 - Jesus became a curse for us to remove the curse that was on the human raceMatt. 27:35 - The tree of the Cross was made by human beingsGen. 3:6 - The tree in the Garden of Eden was pleasant to look atIs. 53:2 - The tree of the Cross was without beautyPs. 34:8 - Taste and see how good the Lord isJohn 6:54 - Those who eat and drink the flesh and blood of God have eternal lifeRev. 22:2 - Saints are trees of lifeGen. 3:1-5 - The dialogue with the serpentGen. 3:6-8 - They ate the fruit and they hid from GodJohn 8:44 - The devil is a deceiverHab. 1:13 - The Lord’s eyes are too pure to look upon sinMatt. 22:37-40 - The greatest commandment

Irish Scripture Scholar Frances Hogan takes you through the origin story of God’s people shown to us in the Book of Genesis. Here is an opportunity to explore the early history of God’s people. With historical and Scriptural references, each session will open your eyes to the mystery of God’s creation. 

Frances Hogan: https://www.franceshogan.com/

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