Come, Let’s Meet In The Garden

The Lord God planted a garden east-ward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed. And out of the ground the Lord God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Genesis 2:8-9

“Good day, my beloved children.”

“Good day, Yahweh, my beloved Father. It is such a beautiful day here in the garden. What shall we learn and do today that would honor you?”

“Come, my children, and I will show you.”

I can only imagine what joy it must have been for Adam (and later Eve) to stroll through the garden of Eden and casually commune and converse with Yahweh on a regular basis. I can picture Yahweh talking and sharing great and wonderful things about His creation with the two, as well as teaching them everything they needed to know and giving them wisdom and understanding to walk in the dominion they had been assigned. I can imagine the sound counsel Yahweh would give to his beloved mankind creation so that they would walk uprightly before Him and have the might to overcome any obstacle they would encounter. But most excitedly, I can imagine the knowledge Adam and Eve received of who their Creator was and the utmost reverence they had for Him, Yahweh.

Scripture tells us that Yahweh planted a garden eastward in Eden. We can presume that the garden was a fairly large area because there was a river that went out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it parted and became four river heads (Gen 2:10). For the purpose of this writing, my focus is on the trees that were planted in this incredible garden. There were so many trees beautiful to the sight (I don’t know but I like to picture willow trees, perhaps dogwood trees with prolific colored flowers that bloomed, exquisite Roses of Sharon trees, trees that the leaves would change color in the Fall…not to mention the tulips, jasmine, poppies etc.) and trees good for food (Fig trees, date, olive, grapevines and almond trees, orange and mango trees etc.) There had to have been many tree varieties in the garden.

The Tree of Life

Unique, however, to all the trees pleasant to the sight and for food were two particular trees of great importance…a matter of life and death; the tree of life and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Adam was given free reign in the garden of Eden, as well as dominion over all the other creation, with one exception. Yahweh commanded Adam he could eat of any of the trees for food EXCEPT the tree of knowledge of good and evil! For in the day that he ate of it, he would surely die (Gen.2:16-17). Whoa! Harsh! And certainly not for the weak at heart. Notice that Yahweh said, “in the day…” not soon thereafter, not next year, nor sometime in the future. He said, “in the day.”

Fast forward a bit and Yahweh had created Eve, a companion/help mate to Adam and she too knew the commandment of Yahweh pertaining to the trees. Clearly, she and Adam knew they were not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. As a result of her and Adam not honoring Yahweh and his commandment and falling prey to the cunning deception of satan (posing as a serpent), they truly died that very day in their spiritual walk with the Lord God Almighty, creator of the heavens and Earth (Yahweh) and were cast out of the garden.

In fact, Yahweh was so determined to not let them back in, He stationed Cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.

“So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.” (Gen 3:6-7)

Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”– therefore the Lord God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken. So he drove out the man and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.” (Gen 3:22-24)

It is curious that it was the “way” to the tree of life that was guarded.

A New Beginning

Life as Adam and Eve had known for so long had suddenly coming crashing down. They no longer had the intimate relationship with Yahweh they once shared. Their newfound wisdom of good and evil had cost them the opportunity to eat from the tree of life, which would allow them to live forever. We also know how the story ended with a multitude of their offspring of generations in the flood in the days of Noah. Mankind had become so wicked in their knowledge of good and evil that evil prevailed, as Yahweh knew it would, hence the reason we spiritually die the day we choose to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. No longer can we be one with Yahweh–one in communion. During the days of Noah, the cunning works of satan and his minons wreaked havoc with mankind, even altered its DNA, and mankind was in full rebellion towards their Creator. It’s not surprising that it sounds like the current times we live in, doesn’t it? Wickedness in every aspect of society, DNA being altered by big Pharma, deception abounds! How can we escape it and come out from among them?

Encouragement

With the above being shared, I want to encourage you that through Jesus Christ and the redemption of our wicked sins through His blood that was shed on cross, we have the opportunity to return to the garden and eat from the tree of life. In fact, we have been given the promise of eternal life with Christ, as his beloved bride, and as co-heir to the throne of Yahweh, our beloved Father and creator of heaven and Earth. We have got to repent and find the way back to the garden.

In the Bible, there are some books that are called the Wisdom books. There is much wisdom in these writings that we can glean from and imprint them in our heart, and walk in, so as to understand why Yahweh said we could eat from the tree of life. I know you may be thinking about now that it was Adam and Eve’s newfound wisdom that got mankind in trouble to begin with. Keep in mind that theirs was the wisdom of the knowledge of good and evil. As followers and believers in Jesus Christ, we must walk in the wisdom of Yahweh, through our savior, Jesus, and the Spirit of Truth. It’s a universal, non-optional principle of cause and effect.

In Isaiah 11:2, scripture says,

“The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, (referring to Jesus Christ) the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.”

Beloved, once we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior (and not just acknowledge him as Lord and Savior as many professing Christians have done), He becomes incarnate within our heart and spirit through the Holy Spirit. If we give Jesus full reign over our spirit, soul, and body, the Spirit of the Lord is upon us and he will guide us with His spirits of wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge and fear of the Lord. Only then do we learn what it means to walk in a true reverence and we want nothing more than to honor Him and inherit the kingdom of eternal life. We will lay down our sins and repent from partaking of the tree of knowledge of good and evil that leads to death. Many people want eternal life, but they don’t want to give up their self to obtain it. We mustn’t get our names blotted out of the book of life by being part of the Dead Church (Revelation 3:1-6)! Jesus is returning for His Glorious Bride/the Glorious Church. I also want to emphasize that the Holy Spirit is HOLY! Meaning set apart, sanctified, pure, true in spirit and heart. We are not perfect humans, but we are called to be holy, as Christ is holy. Grace covers the rest and the Spirit of Truth will teach us the path of righteousness and how to worship in Spirit and Truth.

Wisdom Comes by Discipline

When we read the book of Proverbs, we glean a lot of information that we know we should apply to our life; however, most of us read it and move on to the next verse. Sort of like what King Soloman did. Here was the son of King David that inherited the kingdom of Israel and all 12 tribes from his father. In the beginning, his heart was right and he wanted nothing more than to please Yahweh. He wasn’t certain how to handle such a responsibility he had been given and cried out to Yahweh for wisdom. When we read of the wisdom of Soloman, we don’t really stop to digest that it is really the wisdom of Yahweh that was given. Not only was this wisdom for Soloman to rule the nation of Israel in it’s entirety, but also for the people of the nation. Unfortunately, just as Eve was deceived in the garden by the tree that looked pleasing to the eyes and fruit good to eat, Soloman fell prey to the cunning works of satan through the lust of his eyes and lost his inheritance and led the people astray that he had been given the wisdom to rule over. He had no discipline and lost his fear of Yahweh.

I would like to focus on some passages in the book of Proverbs that pertain to something you may not have considered or even noticed until now. The word of God (Yahweh) is living and it is sharper than a two-edge sword. It is intended to pierce our heart and divide our soul and spirit so that our spirit can receive the Truth. Our spirit is what communes with the Holy Spirit of Yahweh and it is our spirit that is to bring that truth to our soul and body. If we have no discipline, we can not nurture our inward spirit man to be enlarged and strengthened. We will fall prey to the schemes of the enemy. The scriptures are the living word for today. Please heed the words of the Lord beloved, for the time we live in today are as they were long ago.

1 Thessalonians 5:23

“May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. “

As we read in Proverbs, I ask you to read it as though Yahweh is speaking to King Soloman when Soloman had cried out for wisdom. Then read it again inviting the the Holy Spirit of Yahweh to rest upon you and speak to you. Consider it an exercise in discipline. I am going to skip through the passages for the sake of allowing you the opportunity of discipline to take the time to really examine the chapters in their entirety. Remember, Soloman only wrote what he was taught by the wisdom of Yah.

The Beginning of Knowledge

Proverbs 1:1-7 –

To know wisdom and instruction, to perceive the words of understanding, to receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment, and equity. To give prudence to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion –

(Dear Soloman and You:)

A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel, to understand a proverb and an enigma, the words of the wise and their riddles.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 1:20-23 (please read all of Proverbs 1)

Wisdom calls aloud outside; she raises her voice in the open squares. She cries out in the chief concourses, at the openings of the gates in the city she speaks her words: How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge. Turn at my rebuke; surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you…

The Value of Wisdom

Proverbs 2:1-13 – (Please read all of Proverbs 2)

(Dear Soloman and You:)

My son, if you receive my words, and treasure my commands within you so that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding; yes, if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding, if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.

For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly; he guards the paths of justice, and preserves the way of his saints. Then you will understand righteousness and justice, equity and every good path. When wisdom enters your heart, and knowledge is pleasant to your soul, discretion will preserve you; understanding will keep you, to deliver you from the way of evil, from the man who speaks perverse things, from those who leave the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness…

Guidance to the Way

Proverbs 3:1-18

(Dear Soloman and You:)

My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; for length of days and long life and peace they will add to you. Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, and so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do NOT be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil, it will be health to your flesh and strength to your bones.

Honor the Lord with all your possessions, and with the first fruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine.

My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor detest his correction; for whom the Lord loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights.

Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding, for her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, and her gain than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies and all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. Length of days is in her right hand, in her left hand riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who retain her.

Did you see that? The Wisdom of Yahweh is a tree of life to those who retain her! Our Father in heaven loves us so much that thousands of years after the fall of man in the garden of Eden he reveals a mystery of what the tree of life is. If you read all of Proverbs 1, 2 and 3, you will see it clear as day. You will also see how eating from the tree of knowledge of good and evil leads to death. Yahweh will not share his glory with another. If you recognize any area in your life where you have taken a bite or like to feast on the tree of knowledge of good and evil, all you need to do is confess the sin to Yahweh and ask for forgiveness, in the name of Jesus. You must also repent, meaning turn away from whatever it is that keeps you from walking in the garden with Jesus. He wants to meet you there! Don’t miss the opportunity or your visitation. It requires discipline to be a disciple of Christ.

If you have not read “The Beatitudes” or the excerpt from “Wisdom to Prevail and Overcome the Gates of Hell”, you may want to do so as they have valuable insight and wisdom to compliment this post.

Okay, are you still wondering about the tree of life? Below are a few more scriptures:

Proverbs 11:30:

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise. If the righteous will be recompensed on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner.

Proverbs 13:12

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.

Proverbs 15:1-4

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness. The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.

A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

Revelation 2:2-7

“I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.

The River of Life

Revelation 22:1-5

And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of its street, and on the either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. There shall be no night there; they need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.

Beloved, these scriptures are life changing and our lives depend on understanding where we have fallen and the need for our repentance. The tree of life awaits and is ripe for the taking. As you see, it reads a tree of life and then says “each tree…” We are to be those trees, deeply rooted in Christ Jesus, walking uprightly for the healing of the nations.

Are you walking in salvation today? Are you walking in communion with the Holy Spirit of Yahweh today? Or, are you still eating from the tree of knowledge of good and evil?

Beloved, we can con each other and we can deceive ourselves, but we can NOT con Yahweh. He does not care if you sit in a church each week or not. He cares about where your heart is and how you represent Him here on earth. He sees right through us and He knows our every thought. He has given us a new way to find Tree of Life in the garden and it is through Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and eternal life and He wants to walk and talk with you in the garden.

Be blessed and know that the time is short. We are indeed in perilous times and we know not the hour of the return of Jesus Christ. This we do know: Everyday is the great day of the Lord for someone. We are not promised tomorrow but we are promised eternal life if we choose it. I beseech you to make a decision today to follow Jesus with all your heart.

Blessings in the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,

Norma

All scriptures are from the NKJV bible with verse numbers omitted and all emphasis is mine.