“You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.” - Genesis 2:16-17

We tend to look at the Tree of Life story and the 'Fall of Humanity' strictly as a story of obedience, the harsh retributive consequences of not following the rules. However, we can miss the broader purpose of the story if we merely understand it this way.

When Adam and Eve choose to eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil they are really choosing to decide for themselves what is good and evil, right and wrong, instead of relying on God for such guidance.

It is a sin of disconnection and separation from the Divine, something that will ever lead them (and us) away from abiding in God's ever-present love and guidance.

So, next time you read Genesis 2 and 3, reflect on what it means for you today to either continue to eat from the forbidden tree or instead abide in communion with the living God.

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