What does Genesis 3:3 reveal about God's command regarding the forbidden tree? Direct Citation “but of the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You must not eat of it or touch it, or you will die.’ ” (Genesis 3:3) What the Command Clearly Included • Identification of the tree: “the tree in the middle of the garden” • Two prohibitions: – “you must not eat of it” – “[you must not] touch it” • Explicit consequence: “you will die” • Divine source: “God has said” Key Observations • The language is straightforward and literal, leaving no ambiguity about God’s expectation. • The penalty of death underscores the absolute seriousness of disobedience; this is not a symbolic warning but a real outcome. • Eve repeats “or touch it,” showing how the command was understood in the garden as an uncompromising boundary—whether God stated the touching element directly or Adam and Eve added it for caution, the effect is heightened reverence for God’s word. • Locating the tree “in the middle” means Adam and Eve encountered it regularly; obedience required continual, conscious trust in God’s authority. What the Verse Reveals About God’s Heart • God provides clear, protective boundaries for human flourishing. • He links obedience to life and disobedience to death, reinforcing that His commands are rooted in His holy character. • The warning manifests divine love—alerting His creatures to mortal danger before they ever face it. Implications for Every Reader • God’s word is precise; ignoring or altering it invites grave consequences. • True freedom in the garden (and in life today) exists within the safe limits God sets. • Life and death pivot on trust and obedience to God’s spoken revelation. |
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