In the Bible story of creation, the Lord gives us a parable about two trees; the tree of Life and the tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.
Gen 2:9 RV
(9) And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
Allegories
Hidden since the beginning
The Lord has been hiding things in Allegories and Parables since the foundation of the world.
Pro 25:2 RV
(2) It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
Mat 13:34-35 RV
(34) All these things spoke Jesus in parables unto the multitudes; and without a parable spake he nothing unto them:
(35) that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the foundation of the world.
The OT is full of parables
It is only the Lord that can create real events as parables, the Old Testament is full of parables.
Psa 78:2 RV
(2) I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old:
1Co 10:1-4 RV
(1) For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant, how that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
(2) and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
(3) and did all eat the same spiritual meat;
(4) and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of a spiritual rock that followed them: and the rock was Christ.
The rock symbolized Christ. This is one example of an historical event being a parable.
Jesus spoke in parables
The Lord spoke to us in parables.
Mat 13:34-35 RV
(34) All these things spake Jesus in parables unto the multitudes; and without a parable spake he nothing unto them:
(35) that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the foundation of the world.
This story of two trees in the garden is also a parable. We have these three elements in the story, Tree of Life, Tree of Knowledge, Flaming Sword.
Description of parable
Interpretation of tree of life
Gen 3:22 RV
(22) And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil; and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:
If we eat from the tree of life, we live forever, what does this represent? Jesus said if we eat his flesh and drink his blood we will live forever. The Tree of Life represents Jesus, also Faith, Wisdom, God’s Way.
Joh 6:51 RV
(51) I am the living bread which came down out of heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: yea and the bread which I will give is my flesh, for the life of the world.
Interpretation of Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil
Adam sinned when he ate from the tree. Adam lusted to be like God and determine his own way instead of following God’s way.
Jas 1:14-15 RV
(14) but each man is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed.
(15) Then the lust, when it hath conceived, beareth sin: and the sin, when it is fullgrown, bringeth forth death.
Gen 3:4-5 RV
(4) And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
(5) for God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as God, knowing good and evil.
The tree of knowledge of good and evil represents Man’s Way, each man following his own way, his own lusts. It also represents everything built by the hand of Man; science, technology, culture, books, commerce, TV, Internet, etc. The tree of Knowledge has grown to fill all the world.
Flaming Sword
The Lord placed a flaming sword to keep and maintain the way to the tree of Life
Gen 3:24 RV
(24) So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden the Cherubim, and the flame of a sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
The flaming sword represents the word of God. To reach the tree of life, we must apply the word of God to our own life.
Heb 4:12 RV
(12) For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Implications
So, we have these two trees representing Adam and Christ and each is growing to fill all the world.
1Co 15:22 RV
(22) For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.
Eat from the tree of knowlege
We live in the world and sometimes we must eat from The Tree of Knowledge which contains both good and evil. Everything done by the hand of man contains both good and evil. Eat the good and eschew the evil.
Php 4:8 RV
(8) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honourable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Whenever we read books or watch movies or surf the internet, etc. we should remember Paul’s admonition to think about positive things.
Eat from the tree of life
We want to eat from the Tree of Life so that we might live forever. Jesus tells us how
Joh 6:53-56 RV
(53) Jesus therefore said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, ye have not life in yourselves.
(54) He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
(55) For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.
(56) He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood abideth in me, and I in him.
Here is another parable. Jesus’ flesh represents the word of God and the teachings of Christ, the gospel. Jesus’ blood represents the communion of the Holy Spirit.
2Co 13:14 RV
(14) The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all.
Once we have received the promise of the Holy Spirit, we can commune directly with the Lord in our hearts. We can also commune with the Spirit through fellowship with other believers.
Summary Conclusion
This parable of the two trees in the garden applies even today. We choose which fruit to eat, which way to go. We can follow the way of our own heart, our own desires, Adam’s way, a broad easy way that leads to death. Or, we can follow Wisdom, God’s way, seeking God’s righteousness that brings life
Therefore choose life, eat from God’s fruitful tree
Isa 55:1 RV
(1) Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.