WHY DID GOD CREATE THE FORBIDDEN TREE?

 

If God knew that the first humans would sin when they ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, why did He put it in Eden in the first place? Should God also be blamed for the fall of man because He placed this tree there?

WHAT IS LIFE IN EDEN?

1. To live in the Garden was to live in fellowship with God.

Wherever the Garden of Eden is exactly located today, one thing is sure: it was the place where God chose to dwell with the first humans. Adam and Eve enjoyed close fellowship with God, even to the point where He was walking in the garden to talk with them (Gen. 3:8).

2. To live in the Garden was to live in fruitfulness.

God originally designed human beings to work. The Lord wanted man to be productive (2:15). Notice that some plants had not yet grown because God designed them to be cultivated by man (2:5). This shows that before creating them, God had already prepared tasks for them—to rule over all creation (1:28) and to work and care for it (2:15). This is part of what it means to be created in God’s image: humans are designed to represent God as His managers over creation.

3. To live in the Garden was to live a life of faithfulness.

The Garden of Eden belonged to God; He simply placed Adam and Eve there (2:15). Creation remained God’s possession, even though He gave humans authority over it. To live in the Garden meant following God’s terms and conditions—otherwise they would be driven out. God gave them instructions on how to care for it (2:15) and also prohibitions on what not to do (2:16).

WHAT IS THE FORBIDDEN TREE?

The tree of the knowledge of good and evil was one of the special trees God created in the middle of Eden. Sometimes it is called the “forbidden tree” because out of all the trees, it was the only one forbidden to eat from. We are not certain what the forbidden fruit looked like (there is no basis to think it was an apple), but it appears to have been a real fruit from a real tree—not just a symbol. From the details in Genesis, we can say the tree itself was not evil. God could not create evil, since everything He created was “very good” (1:31), and all trees were both pleasing to the eye and good for food (2:9). Its fruit was also edible and not poisonous, since Adam and Eve did not die instantly. It was their disobedience that brought death (Rom. 5:12).

WHY DID GOD CREATE THE FORBIDDEN TREE?

1. The forbidden tree was a sign of God’s love.

God created humans with free will—the ability to choose. God desired humans to love Him freely, not as if programmed to do so. But freedom to choose is meaningless without choices. Thus, it was necessary for God to place the forbidden tree, so Adam and Eve could exercise their will either to obey or disobey.

2. The forbidden tree was a test of loyalty.

Adam and Eve lived in God’s sacred space and were under His authority. They were expected to follow His rules to remain in Eden. Faithfulness was required, for God had created and provided for them. Loyalty is not genuine unless tested, and the tree was their test.

3. The forbidden tree was a reminder of their limit.

The knowledge of good and evil belongs to God alone. To desire this knowledge was to desire to be like God (3:5). Notice that the only restriction placed on them was this tree. Everything else was given to them—the whole creation was theirs to rule, every tree was theirs to enjoy.
Though Adam and Eve were given the privilege to rule as God’s image-bearers, they could never be gods themselves. The tree stood as a reminder that God was still the Owner of the Garden, and He alone had the authority to set boundaries. The knowledge of good and evil was wisdom belonging to God alone.

WAS GOD TO BE BLAMED FOR THE FALL OF MAN?

Because God placed the tree in Eden, does that make Him guilty of humanity’s sin? The answer is no. God hates sin, and it is against His character to cause people to sin. He tempts no one (James 1:13) and does not allow temptations beyond human ability to resist. Scripture assures us that He always provides a way out (1 Cor. 10:13).

By reading the account carefully, we can see that God had already given Adam and Eve several ways to avoid sinning:

1. God gave them to each other—they could guard one another from approaching the tree.

2. God was generous—He gave them every other tree in the Garden, forbidding only one.

3. God provided a clear warning (2:17)—His prohibition was enough to keep them from disobedience.

4. God placed the tree in the middle—strategically ensuring they would never eat from it by accident.

5. God placed the tree of life beside it—a constant reminder to obey, with no restriction attached (until after the Fall, 3:22).

6. God was near them—He walked with them, revealed His goodness to them, and gave them what was truly good (such as Eve for Adam, Gen. 2:18). Their fellowship with Him was enough to satisfy them without seeking wisdom apart from Him. And yet, we know what happened. Despite all the ways to avoid sin, they chose to disobey.

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The forbidden tree remains a reminder to us today of humanity’s sin. Through Adam’s disobedience, sin entered the world (Rom. 5:12). But the good news is that God provided another “tree” for our salvation—the cross (Gal. 3:13). “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 Pet. 2:24). Stay Curious.