Genesis 2:16–17 (NIV84)
16And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.”
One might find it peculiar, even strange, that in a world of infinite permission, God established a single, solitary prohibition. In the sprawling paradise of Eden, a place teeming with delights for every sense, one tree alone was cordoned off by a divine command. It was not, as some might imagine, a fence to keep humanity from joy, but rather a focal point for their trust. The command was not, “Do not eat, for the fruit is poison,” or “Do not eat, for it will unleash a terrible power.” The reason was conspicuously absent. The command was, in its purest essence, an invitation to obey God for no other reason than that He is God.
This is a profound mystery. We are comfortable with rules that have a clear, practical benefit to us. But this command asked for an obedience rooted not in self-interest, but in relationship. It was a test of pure trust in the Giver, not just an evaluation of His gifts. Would Adam and Eve trust that the One who gave them everything was good, even when His reasoning was withheld? There are two ways to gain a “knowledge of good and evil.” One can learn of it as a physician learns of a disease—studying it to conquer it, understanding its darkness by standing in the light. Or, one can learn of it as the patient, by becoming infected. By obeying God, humanity would have gained the physician’s knowledge, discerning evil from the standpoint of perfect goodness. The tragedy, of course, is that they chose the patient’s path.
Reflect & Share: How does the idea of obeying God “just because He is God,” without a full explanation of the benefits, challenge the way you usually approach His commands? Ask God so that you can trust Him when you don’t quite understand..
Questioning everything is the essence of learning and curiosity. I often question everything because I don’t trust what is told of me and need more information. I tend to believe people are always trying to take advantage of me. Therefore there’s always a secretive motive. However I need to trust God when the spirit is calling me and not to quench the spirit when an opportunity arises because I know God wants the best for me. When I question it is not only a lack of faith but also an opportunity for me to talk myself out of things because I am trying to align my wants with my decision and often times God didn’t call me to do the things that I want.
-downey
(from Vic)
Reflect & Share: How does the idea of obeying God “just because He is God,” without a full explanation of the benefits, challenge the way you usually approach His commands? Ask God so that you can trust Him when you don’t quite understand..
My reflection for today, is something me and Don just talked about this morning. Obeying God, even when I don’t quit understand or see where this would lead me or benefit me,,to step outside my self centered ways and being selfish with my time, my Mom is 81 yrs. And talked to her yesterday about she want’s her Son , I really took into account of God direction and seen that the season I’m in he has given me the time, I was so busy trying to fulfill my wants and needs I did not see what was right in front of me, but our God is powerful and has shown me through scripture, and sermons where he needs me to be, iam going to dedicate more time for my Mom.
Father God in Heaven Holy be your name, thank you Holy spirit for guiding me to see the light of your redemptive plan for my time right now, thank you for showing me the whole picture and not just the part I want to see, continue to guide me and shine through me in Christ Jesus name Amen.
I totally understand how we suppose to obey God just because He is God. Just like He love us because we are human. It is like a parent and children relationship, there’s no need for a reason for the parent to love their kids and the kids does not need reason to obey their parents. When I was wondering why I have to obey my parents. I was thinking what would they give me like sweets or toys. But my parents already gave me the life I have right now. And I understand about God, my whole life was made possible because of Him. And He has already made a perfect plan for us.
Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us the free will to do whatever we want. However, only you know what is the best thing for us. I pray that you will help me see that my own plan is futile and your way is the ultimate way. I pray that you will continue guide me through my journey. Amen.
Something to ponder more deeply but thankful for a God who created boundaries (His laws) for our benefit because He loves us 💕 Joyce
Amy:
As a mom, I can really relate to this passage. My kids constantly ask “why?” – why they can’t eat ice-cream before dinner, why they have to share, why they need to go to bed when they’re “not tired.” I often try to explain, but there are moments when I simply say, “because mommy knows what’s best for you.” And every time I do, I realize how much that mirrors my relationship with God.
Obeying “just because He is God” challenges me deeply. I like knowing the reason, the plan, the outcome. My type A personality doesn’t help either. I feel like “I have no time to deal with all these (potential) problems.”But God is reminding me that obedience isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about trusting His heart even when I don’t see the full picture. Just like my children don’t always understand my rules but I give them out of love and protection, God’s commands flow from His love for me. His boundaries are not barriers but safety nets, keeping me close to His heart.
Heavenly Father, thank You for being patient with me when I question Your ways. Teach me to trust You the way I want my children to trust me with confidence in Your goodness, even when I don’t understand. Help me obey not out of fear, but out of love and faith in who You are. Give me peace to rest in Your wisdom and grace as I guide my children day by day. Amen.
Reminds me of Matthew 18:3 when Jesus says “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” My kids have so much trust in me, that when I tell them something is dangerous, they believe me. They know I care for them and want to keep them safe. They didn’t yet ask me “why”. This devotional is a good reminder for me to also be like that with God. He–the creator, all-knowing God, of course knows what’s good for me like any loving parent! Why should I question Him? I will never truly understand the complexity of His plans for me–I just need to remember that He is good and so are His plans.
If I demand/require of God reasons to obey, that puts ME in the driver’s seat and puts God in a position where he has to answer to me. Obedience is then about me (what’s in it for me). God in his wisdom didn’t attach any reasons for Adam/Eve to obey other than because He and He alone is God.
Any doubt that I may have about God’s love for me and His good plans for me were settled at the Cross, where He withheld nothing to redeem me- even the life of His only begotten son. Even when I don’t understand fully, I have only to look upon the cross.
When I consider the commands God give me, I’m also knowing God must be so powerful and omnipresent that He knows exactly what I’m thinking. I do feel sometimes by obeying God’s commands I’m pleasing Him. I would never be able to wrestle with God so I just give up and pretend surrendering to God’s auhority. But have I ever solely belived doing whatever commands is just because He is my God? Maybe half of the times. The truth is I definitely don’t understand God most of the times. I need to ask God to help me trust in Him whether I understand or not. I need to understand He is the only and true God I can trust, not because what He can do but who He is.