Genesis 3:3

Study

       

3 Maar van de vrucht des booms, die in het midden des hofs is, heeft God gezegd: Gij zult van die niet eten, noch die aanroeren, opdat gij niet sterft.


Commentary on this verse  

By Brian David

This carving of the Tree of Knowledge is on St. Johannis Kapelle (St. John the Baptist) Church in Mühldorf/Inn, Bavaria, Germany.

Eating of the tree of knowledge represents using our own logic and reason to try to figure out and understand the Lord, something which is beyond us and which, ultimately, we have to simply accept. This was forbidden to the people at this stage of the Most Ancient Church because the Lord knew that if they did, they would lose their innocent acceptance of the Lord's love and leading, and would question it instead. This is represented by the idea that they would "die."