January 16

Knowledge is emphasized, particularly the knowledge of good and evil. This wording is quite important as it establishes that being able to distinguish and make judgements about human behavior and what is “good.” By eating of the fruit, Adam and Eve become somewhat like God in the sense that now they too place value on things, but they lack the context and perception. Additionally, eating the fruit, the physical act of consuming–instead of touching or sniffing or licking–brings to light the dependency of man on nourishment from the earth, which are given to man by God. The verb given used in this way implies that eating is not just a biological necessity but “a relationship in which there is a giver, a gift and a recipient” (Legaspi 8). Trees are used as the vessel for the food which perhaps is due to the nature of the garden or as a precursor the cross. Adam and Eve were not only disobedient but they obtained God-like qualities… to an extent. Yes they can now make subjective judgements about good and bad, but they lack a deeper understanding. By banishing them from the garden, God prevents them from potentially eating from the tree of life, starting Adam and Eve’s mortal lives and humanity as we know it. This, in a sense was merciful so that they did not have to live forever with their sin.