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To begin our study in identifying the forbidden tree and its fruit, we must look at how we identify one fruit tree from another. If you saw a tree with oranges on the ground and more oranges up in the tree, you would likely label this tree as an orange tree. And if you saw another tree with apples on the ground and apples in the tree, you would label or assign this tree as an apple tree. You could assign a name to every tree that bears fruit according to the fruit it bears. An orange tree would be known as a tree of oranges and an apple tree would be known as a tree of apples. All the other trees would be known according to the fruit it produces.
As it is with the wheat and the tares, it is hard to discern the type of tree only by what it looks like. It is only after the tree begins to bear fruit, that one might begin to discern the type of tree. In looking again at what the LORD GOD provided to Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden, we find that "...out of the ground made the LORD GOD to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil" (Genesis 2:9). By stating the word "every" in front of the phase, "tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food", this would indicate that God created each tree in the Garden of Eden that was pleasant to the sight and each tree that was good for food. |
| The phrases presented here revealed that God caused to grow every tree (all the trees) to grow out of the ground and be placed in only two groups of trees. One group covered all the trees that are pleasant to the sight and the other group covered all the trees that are good for food. Some of those trees that were good for food could have been pleasant to the sight as well. The Word did not indicate that God caused the tree of life and the tree of knowledge of good and evil to grow out of the ground with the other trees. For by stating the word "also", this would indicate that in addition to the trees that were pleasant to the sight and good for food in the Garden of Eden, the tree of life and the tree of knowledge of good and evil was also there in the midst of the garden. |
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It is clear from the testimony of the Word that the LORD GOD made to grow out of the ground every tree (meaning all) that was pleasant to the sight and (all) that was good for food. The Tree of Life and the tree of knowledge of good and evil were different from all the other trees in the midst of the garden. As we study the Word carefully, He will reveal to us the difference between the trees that are pleasant to the sight and good for food, from the trees that are pleasant to the sight and are not good for food. He will also reveal to us the difference between the tree of life and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
In looking to the Word, to find the difference between these trees, we find that the LORD said to Adam, "Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so" (Genesis 1:29). It was the LORD, Who said, "Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, [and] the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed [is] in itself, upon the earth: and it was so" (Genesis 1:11). According to the Word, there is a tree that yielded its fruit within all the trees upon the face of the earth. In addition to this, within every beast of the earth, and within every fowl of the air, and within everything that creeps upon the face of the earth was found the same fruit. |
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Within every herb bearing seed, and every tree upon the face of all the earth, and every beast of the earth, and every fowl of the air, and every thing that creeps upon the face of the earth, was found the fruit of a tree that yielded its seed. This tree, which yielded its seed, or its fruit, is the Tree of Life. It is different from the other trees, in that it provided to everything on the face of the earth the fruit of life. Everything on earth got its nourishment from this Tree of Life including the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
Not only did the LORD provide to Adam and Eve the fruit from every herb bearing seed upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in which is the fruit of the Tree of Life, but He provided also the Tree of Life that they may receive all the nourishment stored there for them. The only condition that they were to adhere to was that they should not eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. As we study more about the Tree of Life, we shall begin to understand more clearly on why God forbid Adam and Eve from eating the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. We shall also identify the type of tree and its fruit. |
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To identify the Tree of Life and Its fruit, we must turn to the Word of God for His definition, that we might gain Understanding.
The Word said, "Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her" (Proverbs 3:13-18). |
All that was said about Wisdom can be applied to the Tree of Life,
because as the Word said, Wisdom is a Tree of Life.
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In testifying about the work of the LORD, the Word of God said, "The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens. By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.
"My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck. Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble" (Proverbs 3:19-23).
The Word says, "Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice? She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths. She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.
"Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions. The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength. By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.
"I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver. I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: That I may cause those that love me to inherit
substance; and I will fill their treasures.
"The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.
"Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD. But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death" (Proverbs 8:1-36).
As we meditate on this passage of Scripture, we begin to recognize that the Tree of Life is more than what it appears to be, for it is by the Word that we receive "Wisdom" and "Understanding", and these are of one and the same. Paul testified by the Word and said, "Where [is] the wise? where [is] the scribe? where [is] the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. "For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God" (1 Corinthians 1:20-24). |
Click the picture to receive more of Wisdom.
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The Word revealed that the LORD established the heavens by Wisdom, or by Understanding. In keeping Wisdom and Discretion, we gain Life unto our souls. However, Wisdom, Whose name is Understanding, was crying out to the sons of man to give of Himself to our hearts HIS Knowledge. If we would tune our ears to hear what is being said, we would receive excellent things from Wisdom. And the things given to us would be right things. All the words presented to us by Wisdom are in righteousness and Truth. Those who receive the words of Wisdom will clearly understand them to be right.
In receiving Wisdom, we receive Instruction, Knowledge, Counsel, Understanding, Strength, Riches, Honor and Righteousness, which are all attributes of Wisdom. There is nothing froward, which means unsavory, twisted, or perverse in them. By following the counsel of Wisdom, we are lead in the Way of Righteousness, in the paths of Judgment. Those who love Wisdom will inherit substance, and Wisdom will fill them with His treasures. Not only would we receive the treasures of Wisdom, but we will also have the fear of the LORD, which is |
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In testifying about the LORD, Wisdom revealed that it was the LORD WHO possessed Him in the beginning of HIS Way, before HIS works of old. He testified that He was setup from everlasting, from the beginning, or before the earth was created. He also testified that before anything came into existence, He was brought forth. The LORD had not made the earth; neither did HE create through Him the highest created form of dust, which is man.
When the LORD prepared the heavens, Wisdom was there. When HE measured the face of the depth, when HE established the clouds above, when HE strengthened the fountains of the deep, when HE gave HIS decree to the sea, when HE appointed the foundations of the earth, Wisdom was by HIM as one brought up with HIM. Wisdom was the delight of the LORD and always rejoiced before HIM. Wisdom testified as to where it was that He delighted to rejoice before the LORD. He testified that the place was in the habitable part of the earth, which is with the sons of men. Wisdom further testified that we should listen to Him. When we keep His ways, we are blessed. By hearing His instruction, we become wise and should not refuse it. We are blessed when we hear and look daily for Wisdom. In finding Wisdom, we find Life, and will obtain favor of the LORD. But those who refuse Wisdom choose to hurt their own souls. For all who hate Wisdom loves death. In revealing to us these excellent things, the Word has testified that it was the LORD, WHO did all these things by Wisdom, or by Understanding. In other words, it was the LORD WHO created everything that came into existence by Wisdom, Who was by HIM as one brought up with HIM.
In testifying on what will happen to those who are nourished by the Tree of life, the Word said, "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
"And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not
wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish"(Psalms 1:1-6). |
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The man that is blessed will delight to walk in the Counsel of GOD as Wisdom delighted to rejoice in the heart of man. As man continues to meditate on the Counsel of the LORD, he would grow to become more like Him and produce His fruit.
It was the will of God that this Tree of Life would continue to provide to man all the nourishment needed to have and to live life. As man received nourishment from the Tree of Life, he would receive Wisdom to discern all things. It was this nourishment from the Tree of Life that enabled Adam to name all the things that he saw, because he was reading the very Thoughts of GOD. Based on the words of Wisdom, anyone who receives Him receives also Counsel, Strength and Life. We are blessed when we choose not to walk in the counsel of the ungodly, or to follow the one who is unlike God. When we delight ourselves in the law of the LORD and meditate on HIS law day and night, we will be like the Tree from which we gain our nourishment, Who also plants within us HIS Seed of Life. |
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It is the delight of Wisdom to reproduce in man HIS Fruit that men might become trees of righteousness. It was for this reason that the LORD Instructed, or Counseled Adam not to eat the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
To define the forbidden tree and its fruit, click on the question, "What is the tree of knowledge of good and evil?" |
Notice: To comprehend and identify the forbidden tree and its fruit by faith, read each section in the order presented.
1. What is the forbidden fruit?
2. Identifying the tree by Faith?
3. The Tree with Knowledge
4. The Sowers in the field
5. Eating the Fruit
6. Bearing Fruit