Genesis: Life-Giving Tree
“And the Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground –
trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food.
In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and
the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.”
Genesis 2:9
Life on planet earth would be radically different if it were not for trees. They are life-givers to all. Every day they recycle our used up air, carbon dioxide, and regenerate the atmosphere with life-giving oxygen.
The tree of life is our promise of eternal life. It is found in the midst of the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve never received its life because they first ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God punished their disobedience with banishment from the garden and the tree of life disappears from human sight. God works his plan for the salvation of men and women. Christ dies upon a naked tree.
John the Apostle was the first to re-catch sight of the tree of life. In his vision of heaven and of the river of life he writes, “On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing 12 crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month.”
At the beginning of the ages, Adam and Eve were told “Do not eat!” At the end of the ages the redeemed will be told, "Take and eat! From the tree of life." Eternal life is yours through faith in Jesus Christ our Lord!
© 2004 Donald D. Reigstad