“And when the woman saw that the tree was good (suitable, pleasant) for food and that it was delightful to look at, and a tree to be desired in order to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she gave some also to her husband, and he ate.”
Genesis 3:6 AMP
Looking at the above text as a natural human being, out of context and in isolation, there seemed to be nothing particularly wrong with what this woman did. Who does not see and like good things? God gave us eyes to see and most people appreciate good things when they see them. Who does not appreciate good food by its looks? Everyone who is able to see does. The bible says the tree was pleasant and delightful to look at.
Not only was the tree and fruits good looking, she was convinced the tree was a tree to be desired in ‘order to make one wise’. Again sounds like something good to me. Who is not looking for Wisdom? Every forward thinking person knows that wisdom is good and desirable. People spend decades of their lives – if not a lifetime, and tons of money looking for wisdom and the prestige and allures that come with it.
After spending all this time considering this tree and fruit, she decided to go for it. She decided she will have to experience having and eating this fruit and she did. Not only did she initiate the experience, she also shared the experience with her partner, her husband.
Again, what is wrong in plucking and eating a fruit? It seems natural to act on an idea after extensive consideration and thinking about it.
Sounds like she did what every natural person would do on a daily basis. So what is the big deal?
Well, it was a big deal. It landed herself, her husband and indeed the entire mankind and the created world into serious trouble. That was the genesis of sin and death in mankind.
Did she know the implications and consequences of her seemingly innocent action? After-all she just tried something and she shared it with her husband by her side.
Rom 5:12 therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned
What makes it a big deal is that God had given them just one command earlier in Chapter 2: 16-17.
16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may freely (unconditionally) eat [the fruit] from every tree of the garden; 17 but [only] from the tree of the knowledge (recognition) of good and evil you shall not eat, otherwise on the day that you eat from it, you shall most certainly [h]die [because of your disobedience].”
This was an express command. Their very lives and the destiny of mankind was as stake. God had warned them that this particular fruit was a ‘no go’ area for them. God’s instructions was what made it a big deal. No matter how good something may look, no matter the allures, no matter what someone, some expert, or everyone else –for what it is worth – says about it, if God forbids it, then it remains toxic to go against God’s warnings and instructions. Why? Because He is God and He knows everything. He created everything and He knows the end from the beginning. It is wise to allow God be God and we be humans and be obedient to His instructions. ‘Obedience is better than sacrifice’ just as Saul found out.
But really she could have been me. If I only I know the consequences of certain actions I take today. No matter how good something looks, no matter how attractive it may seem, no matter the promises for wisdom and prestige it holds, as long as it is against God’s will and God’s word, then it is the forbidden fruit and it has the potential to kill.
Stay blessed.
Laolu Oyeyemi