Choices, Choices … - 9 June 2010

Genesis 3

In the third chapter of Genesis, we meet the snake tempting Eve to eat from ‘the tree of the knowledge of good and evil’ which God prohibited in 2:17.

Thinking about that tree, it does rather beg a question: why did God put the tree in the garden?  And then forbid us to eat the fruit of it?  Wasn’t that just asking for trouble?

I couldn’t think up an answer to this question on my own but I found this in my commentary by Kidner, ‘The fruit of the tree confronts man with God’s will, particular and explicit and gives man a decisive yes or no to say with his entire being’…’as the tree stood prohibited it presented the alternative to discipleship; to be self-made, to wrest one’s knowledge and satisfactions and values from the created world in defiance of the Creator’.

Defiance and disobedience or discipleship, saying a solid yes to God: the choices that face us haven’t really changed since Eden. ‘Go my way or have it your own way’ says God.  There isn’t a middle option.

Chapter 3 ends tragically with humankind cut off from the tree of life and the way back into Eden barred.  Praise God that the story doesn’t end there! God has done all that is necessary to bring us back into relationship with him, life in all its fullness is on offer and eternal life to boot.  The conditions though remain the same: we must make a choice.

Are you saying yes to God’s way in your life at the moment or are you trying to have your own way?  Don’t kid yourself into thinking there’s a middle way.

Lord help me today to say yes with my entire being, to trust you that you know my needs, my desires, my hopes and my dreams. Thank you for the good you have planned for me if I follow in your way.