#2 Q&A: Why Did God Make the "Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil"?

Q&A – If God knew that Adam and Eve would sin, why did He create the “Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil”? Introduction As we approach this ancient question, we must make a few realizations. 1. Scripture does not explicitly describe God’s purpose in making the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Thus, our conclusions must be held tentatively with open hand. 2. God made a “very good” creation (no mistakes; Genesis 1:31), only gives good gifts (James 1:17), and He does not tempt anyone to sin (James 1:13). God’s law is “holy, righteous, and good” (Romans 7:12). 3. God knows everything (Psalm 139:1-6; 147:5), including the future (Isaiah 46:9-10), so He knew that Adam and Eve would sin when He created them with free will. 4. God sovereignly reigns over everyone and everything (Psalm 115:3; Daniel 4:35), including… a. Satan (Job 1-2) b. Individual Lives (Ps 139:16) c. Nations & Politics (Dan 2:21; Acts 17:26) d. Weather (Ps 135:7) e. The Intentions of the Wicked (Gen 50:20; Prov 16:4) 5. Ultimately, this question implies a more basic question – “Is God the author of evil?” Reasons God Made the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil 1. To Prove Mankind: • Does God test people? Yes. He tested Abraham (Genesis 22; Hebrews 11:17-19). He tested Israel (Deuteronomy 8:1-3). He tests us (James 1:3). God’s purpose in testing is to expose our hearts (Deuteronomy 8:2), to humble us (Deuteronomy 8:3), and to grow our faith as He exposes its genuineness (Romans 5:2-5; James 1:3-5; 1 Peter 1:6-7). • Did God test Adam and Eve? Scripture does not explicitly state so. However, God gave mankind free will in order for us to glorify Him by obedience to His Word out of loyalty because of His love. Without free will we would not be able to choose whether or not to serve God, and forced loyalty is not true loyalty (Joshua 24:15). Love must be voluntary (John 14:15; SOS 8:7). However, God will not permit us to be tempted beyond our ability but will provide a way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13). • Thus, it seems that the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil served as a test for Adam and Eve’s loyalty to God. When they failed, God’s plan of redemption from eternity past was enacted in order to buy us back and reestablish loving and loyal relationship with God through His Son. • While the First Adam failed (Genesis 3), the Last Adam (Jesus Christ, 1 Corinthians 15:45) succeeded through obedience (Hebrews 5:7-9) in order to offer salvation to all (Romans 5; Hebrews 5). 2. To Glorify Himself: Ultimately, everything God does is to reveal and to magnify His own glory, including His creation of earth (Psalm 19:1; 72:19; Isaiah 6:3; Romans 1:20; 11:36). • How could man’s fall into sin glorify God? While God knew that Adam and Eve would sin, God also already had planned redemption for the purpose of His glory (Ephesians 1:3-6; Revelation 13:8) through the crucifixion of Christ (Acts 2:23). • Without man’s fall into sin, we never would see His mercy, grace, love, justice, wrath, and patience as we do. • God’s mercy was evident in not immediately destroying mankind when he sinned (Genesis 3). God’s patience did not enact judgment for years as mankind grew more and more evil (Genesis 6), and His grace shines through in His covering for Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:21), His promise of a Savior (Genesis 3:15), and His deliverance of Noah and his family (Gen 6). God’s love is most evidently seen in the gift of His Own Son (John 3:16; Romans 5:8; 1 John 4:9, 16). • We behold God’s glory in Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18), and Jesus transforms us to reflect God’s glory as His workmanship (Ephesians 2:8-10). • One day, all of Creation will bow before Jesus to the glory of the Father (Philippians 2:9-11). Conclusion While we cannot know all of the mind of God (Romans 11:33), we know God’s glory was the goal of the Tree (Revelation 4:11).