Good and Evil, Wisdom and Sin

Introduction

The Creation and Eden narratives make truth claims about the most important aspects of who God is, who we are, and what our relationship is to Him and to each other. Nevertheless, the Bible consistently makes us work to uncover its meaning, so that those with hardened hearts will hear but not understand. The Eden narrative is no exception.

The tree of the knowledge of good and evil has surely been a perennial enigma to readers of the Bible. Why did God place the tree in the garden if Adam and Eve were not to eat of it? If wisdom constitutes the ability to discern good and evil, what is the relationship between wisdom and sin? This Bible study seeks to explore such questions.

I was inspired to compose this study after watching a sermon by Tim Mackie (it’s actually part of a 3-session video series, all of which are great). I would recommend watching the video and then considering the provided verses before meeting to discuss.

Reference Video

Why God withheld the tree - Tim Mackie

Reference Verses

• Genesis 2:9 - And out of the ground the LORD God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
• 1 Kings 3:9–10 - Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?” It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this.
• Deuteronomy 1:39 - And as for your little ones, who you said would become a prey, and your children, who today have no knowledge of good or evil, they shall go in there. And to them I will give it, and they shall possess it.
• Isaiah 7:14–15 - Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good.
• Proverbs 1:7 - The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom
• Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
• Ephesians 2:3 - …among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the flesh and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
• Matthew 6:10 - Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
• Luke 22:42 - Saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”

Questions for discussion

1. Is there a connection between a good thing and desire for it?
2. Is there a relationship between desire and evil?
3. Is it good to be able to discern between good and evil? Does discernment imply obedience?
4. Is there a relationship between the capacity for moral discernment and culpability or sin?
5. Why might God not have wanted Adam and Eve to obtain the knowledge of good and evil?
6. What role might our free will and God’s desire for us to seek wisdom have played in God’s placement of the tree of knowledge in Eden?
7. If wisdom and discernment are grounded in God’s word, then how do we navigate decisions in life that don’t seem to be explicitly specified in the Bible?