Isn’t it striking this first fear recorded in scripture?
Choosing to sin triggered the terror of God’s voice. Destined to hide from the One voice that brought life.
A & E never thought to hide from a voice tempting them to eat what would kill them? Did they not understand what death meant?
And why the midst of the garden? Why did God put the deadliest tree in front of you and me?
Theologians agree, it was a test. When God built His magnificence in us we were given the mind to choose: good or evil? Obedience or rebellion? Be lost or be loved? Enter tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
But the answers didn’t settle the questions in my head. So I ask God anyway, Help me understand? Why dangle danger in the middle of the garden? Then the Spirit spoke to me. So that you could see Me. And my soul was shaken awake. The tree wasn’t evil, or deadly. It was just a pleasing tree. It wasn’t until the tempter arrived, the choice to defy God, produced all evil in me.
Then I saw Jesus, tempted in the wilderness, and winning. Guaranteeing, You never need to hide from Me. I redeemed you from the tree. Resist, and the tempter will flee.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
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