The Bible begins and ends with a tree of life. Why is that? References to this tree are sprinkled throughout the Bible. We are introduced to this mysterious tree in the book of Genesis.
And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there He put the man whom He had formed. And out of the ground the Lord God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Genesis 2:8-9
Eden is a Hebrew word (H5731) which means delight or pleasure. The garden was a delight. Adam and Eve had everything they needed. But one tree allowed them to choose good and evil for themselves. They were warned against it, but they were still allowed to choose for themselves. When they acted on that disobedient choice, it separated them from God.
And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” Genesis 2:16-17
THE CURSE THAT CAME THROUGH DISOBEDIENCE
As we know, because of this choice, humanity fell and we are still cut off from the delight of Eden. We still do not have access to this physical garden.
Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever—” therefore the Lord God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken. He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life. Genesis 3:22-24
Consequently, Adam and Eve were cut off from the tree of life and cast out of the beautiful garden into the wilderness. Being cast out, was in a way, protection from staying in a fallen state.
WISDOM V. FOLLY
The book of Proverbs also mentions the tree of life. Curiously, there is a strong contrast between wisdom and foolishness in regards to the tree. It is described as two different women (lady wisdom and lady folly). If you study it closely, you can see the differences, and notice the urgency to follow wisdom and not the opposite.
She (wisdom) is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed. Proverbs 3:18
That Hebrew word for tree is etz which sounds very much like the Hebrew word etzah which means advice. Some scholars believe it’s a play on words or a double meaning that is being displayed here.
The tree of life and the tree of good and evil stood in contrast to each other in Eden. One standing for life, and the other, which leads to death. Choosing folly also leads to death as we see in the fathers stark warning, in the book of Proverbs.
And now, O sons, listen to me, and be attentive to the words of my mouth. Let not your heart turn aside to her ways; do not stray into her paths, for many a victim has she laid low, and all her slain are a mighty throng. Her house is the way to Sheol, going down to the chambers of death. Proverbs 7:24-27
PROVERBS 9
If you look closely, we can see clear differences between lady folly and lady wisdom. Wisdom builds her house and cuts her seven pillars. She’s made a sacrifice, prepares a table with wine and bread – isn’t that interesting. However, she has the same call as lady folly – ‘whoever is simple, let him turn in here!’ But wisdom says ‘leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in insight.’
Folly also calls ‘whoever is simple, let him turn in here!’ However, this woman is loud, seductive and knows nothing. She’s sitting in the door of her house as she’s calling to those who are walking straight and she speaks deception saying ‘stolen water is sweet and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.’ At first glance it may seem the women are the same. However, discernment reveals wisdom. This discernment comes from knowing God and having reverence for Him. In the middle of Proverbs 9 there is this valuable scripture:
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. Proverbs 9:10
THE CONTRAST
Each one of us, as individuals, have a choice. We also must wrestle with what is right and choose life. Many before us have done the same. The Israelites wrestled with what was right as we see in the book of Deuteronomy. A strong warning came from Moses to choose life instead of death.
I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying His voice and holding fast to Him, for He is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them. Deuteronomy 30:19-20
In order to avoid lady folly, one must hold fast to the word of God and desire righteousness, what is good and true. Just as the father warns his children in the book of Proverbs to choose the right path, so does our father in heaven, continuously warn us in His Word to not go down the path of destruction. Instead we are to remain on the narrow path, seeking Jesus, seeking holiness, and doing His will. The two trees can represent obedience to God versus taking things into our own hands.
Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. Matthew 7:13-14
BEARING FRUIT
When we are rooted in Christ, we begin to bear fruit for the Lord and can partake in His kingdom.
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise. Proverbs 11:30
It’s important to be drawing nourishment from the proper place (Jesus). Are our roots immersed in Jesus? Are we seeking Him with our whole heart?
Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. John 15:4
When we abide in Jesus, we are connected to the source of wisdom and righteousness.
REDEMPTION
We were cast out of Eden. Thankfully, because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we are able to be reconciled to God. The curse that was passed down through Adam and Eve was broken. Jesus’ death on the cross gave us life! Because He died on a tree.
He himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24
For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 1 Corinthians 15:21-22
In a similar way, when we choose wisdom, we are also choosing life. Even though the curse was broken by Jesus, we still must make a choice in our lifetime – a choice between life and death.
BE ON GUARD
At the end of the age, God will restore all things. We will once again have access to the tree of life. However, spiritually we have access now. God speaks of the gifts of the spirit and bearing fruit when we are close to Him. If we bear fruit because we are abiding in Him (the branch), then we are drawing from the tree of life. If we are drawing from the world then we are connected to the wrong source. We are at war against evil and the enemy will always try to trick those who love God by twisting things a little bit at a time.
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Matthew 7:15-16
The only way to know the difference between the way of Jesus and the way of the world is to be extremely close to the Lord, spending time in His word and asking for His wisdom. Because the devil prowls around like a roaring lion (1 Peter 5:8) and disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). His ways are subtle and we do not want to be deceived.
MORE THAN CONQUERERS
To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. Revelation 2:7
We consume Jesus when we abide in Him and serve Him with our whole heart. Abiding in Him gives us discernment and wisdom which are crucial.
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. Revelation 22:13-14
Therefore, choose life, friends! Get in your Bibles and learn what is good and pleasing to the Lord.
Choose life.
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