Notes on Genesis 2:17 Lecture

Introduction to the Question

• Question raised: Why did God create the tree of knowledge if He knew Eve would eat from it?
• Reference: Genesis 2:17
  • "But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die."

Three Theological Views on the Issue

1. Infralapsarian View
2. Supralapsarian View
3. Sublapsarianism

• The Bible does not explicitly state the answer to why God created the tree.
• It emphasizes God's omniscience and wisdom.

Key Biblical References

• Deuteronomy 29:29: "The secret things belong to God."
• God's decrees are unbreakable.

The Role of Satan

• Satan had already fallen prior to Eve's temptation (Isaiah 14, Ezekiel 28).
• God allows the existence of evil and the fall as part of His sovereign plan.
• The fall of Satan and the temptation of Eve are interconnected.

God's Omniscience and Wisdom

• Omniscience: God knows everything, including future events.
• God's Wisdom: He doesn't learn or discover; He knows all things eternally.
• God had a preordained plan that encompassed the fall.

The Fall of Satan

• Satan's pride led to his fall.
• Key phrase: "I will" (found repeatedly in Isaiah 14) signifies pride and ambition.
• Satan was created as a perfect being reflecting God's glory.

Nature of Evil

• Evil was found in Satan after God's temporary withdrawal of restraint.
• God demonstrates the consequences of rebellion against Him.
• Example: Hezekiah was allowed to reveal his treasures to test his heart.

God's Redemption Plan

• God allows the tree to symbolize free will and the choice between good and evil.
• The existence of evil allows God to demonstrate His redemptive plan.
• This plan was established from the beginning and is not a secondary plan.

Conclusion

• God’s creation of the tree serves a purpose within His overarching plan.
• The questions surrounding evil and free will emphasize God’s sovereignty and wisdom.

Final Remarks

• The lecture underscores the complexity of biblical theology and the importance of understanding God’s nature and character.