Trees

 July 7, 2022

In Genesis 2:15, something unusual happens. In the middle of a rather straightforward narrative about Creation, we find a Tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil, and in 3:1 a talking snake. Why in such a narrative would there be talk of a tree that had the power to give us such knowledge, and of a speaking snake? It’s almost as if in the middle of a historical narrative a fairy tale is inserted. I don’t understand the mindset that puts these together in this way. 

At the very end of the Bible, another rather fanciful tree is found—the Tree of Life, with leaves that heal nations (Rev. 22:2). In Revelation, we know we are dealing with symbolism, a fact not as easily discerned in Genesis. In between these two trees is another very literal one described in Galatians 3:13 and 1 Peter 2:24—

“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.””

““He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.””

Between the tree that brought death and destruction upon mankind and the tree of life and healing for the nations is the tree on which our sins were nailed in the person of Jesus Christ. It is that tree which bridges the gulf between what our sins destroyed and what God will one day restore, for apart from the tree upon which Jesus died, no healing is possible and we would remain driven from the Garden and the tree of Life.

I still don’t understand the juxtaposition of ordinary and extraordinary in Genesis 2 and 3, but I do know how the supernatural invaded the natural 2000 years ago, and in my own heart some sixty years ago. I don’t understand it, but I am sure grateful for it!