Genesis 2:15–17 ‘But you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.’ (v17)
It may have crossed your mind that it seems pernickety of God to plunge the whole human race into sin because of one transgression regarding a choice in the Garden of Eden restaurant.
Wouldn’t one warning have been enough? Paul would later say that in Adam all have sinned. Let’s be clear that some questions will never have an answer.
Why did God create angels that have freedom such that Satan sought to challenge God, was thrown out of heaven and able to tempt Eve?
In the end, the nature of reality and our capacity to perceive it come down to a creator’s choice. But as for why one violation rendered such catastrophe, we remember that we ask the question as humans with limited understanding.
We know that God is love and that all His actions are for the very best interests of humanity. After all, His resolution of the disobedience would mean Him suffering.
So, if His commands are for our good and blessing, the infringement of a command must have consequences for humanity if God is to be true to Himself.
That answer may beg all sorts of questions, but let us not entertain the notion that God is petty. This is not a jobsworth sticking to rules that seem ill suited to the situation, but the Almighty running His universe.
He will in time pursue a redemptive purpose, starting with Abram and the nation of Israel, which culminates in the gift of His Son. God displays His glory in all He does, and for that we can be grateful.
A Prayer To Make:
Thank You, Lord, that life and death are in Your hands for us all and that death can be simply the gateway to glory. Amen.
An Action To Take:
Investigate doubts, but be prepared to conclude, ‘We don’t know, and I choose to trust that God knows best.’
Scripture To Consider:
Job 42:1–6; Ps. 115; Eph. 1:11–14; 1 Pet. 1:17–21
