Genesis 2:15-17 English Standard Version

15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat[a] of it you shall surely die.”

And then God created a woman for Adam.

Genesis 3:1-3 English Standard Version

The Fall

1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” 2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, 3 but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’”

Note closely that Eve does not name the tree that is forbidden, only its location.

Reading all of the scriptures from Genesis 2:15 to 3:3 we will find no further conversations about the tree of knowledge of good and evil. We are left without any scriptural support in how Eve became aware of the instructions concerning the tree or which tree.

If God spoke to Eve and repeated HIs instructions given to Adam, then it falls on Eve’s memory as to what God said. Then her memory failed her. Since we have no idea of the time expanse between the instruction and the serpent’s appearance,we do not know how long Eve was asked to hold her memory intact.

If the instructions not to eat was passed down to Eve from Adam because he took responsibility to believe that God’s instruction was good for both Adam and Eve, then did Adam repeat the terms correctly or alter them in any way. Where did Eve get the notion of not to touch the tree?

We also have the issue of God telling Adam and the possibility it was never meant for Eve.

Without scripture to clarify the transfer of understanding we are left with some unknowns.

Someone’s understanding was not remembered in the spirit in which it was given and there was no warning concerning the lies of the serpent. Nothing can be discovered by reading His Word.

Is memory failure an inherited trait of humanity?

Proverbs 4:7-8 English Standard Version (ESV)

7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight.

8 Prize her highly, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her.

Picking up where we left off yesterday, note that wisdom is referred to as a she, the feminine form. Highly desired and someone who makes you look good if she is on your arm.

How do we get wisdom?

James 1:5 English Standard Version (ESV) If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

Luckily for we who are in Christ, we need only ask. So one way to obtain wisdom is by listening to God after we have prayed for it.

1 Corinthians 1:20 English Standard Version (ESV) Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?

Since the world does not have a relationship with God, how did the world come by wisdom? First we must admit that their wisdom is not godly wisdom. What kind of wisdom is it then?

Trial and error will teach you that things like a stove are hot, don’t touch them. That is one kind of wisdom.

Then there is the scientific method, observation and experimentation. That will teach you what chemicals in what amounts will render a control explosion versus one that cannot be controlled.

Then there is the literate wisdom. The author has a large following, has a reputation so it seems safe to agree with his teachings. Galileo proved Aristotle wrong but was threatened with death for saying as much. Popularity is not a reliable sign of wisdom.

Perhaps one of the most important lessons about godly wisdom is teaching us what is really important in this life in Christ.

If it feels good do it, is a disaster created by worldly wisdom.

Honor is found in the embrace of godly wisdom.