August 4: Looking Back To Look Forward

Your eyes are too pure to gaze upon evil; and you cannot tolerate wickedness. So why do you tolerate the treacherous? And why do you stay silent while the wicked devour those who are more righteous than they are? Habakkuk 1:13 (ISV)

The prophet Habakkuk asks a question that we all have asked at some point: LORD, what is the deal? Let us be open to learning from the past. The conversation between the serpent and Eve continues with this statement by the serpent:

“For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:5

The serpent has already questioned, misquoted, and contradicted God’s word. Now he deceptively appeals to Eve’s desire to gain knowledge. Satan is a devouring predator (1 Peter 5:8) and here he is preying upon her innocence.

Eve, in spite of the opportunity close-at-hand to check on this contradiction of what she had been taught by the Creator, chose to accept the serpent’s message without checking. Her acceptance of the “revised” message shows us just how easily we can be misled into doubting the plain precepts given to us by the LORD. Eve’s thinking was altered by the subtil twisting of God’s word. This thinking led to the outright disobedience of her next action: to reach out and take from the only forbidden tree. Immediately she shared the fruit with her husband.

There is a very ironic element to the temptation presented by Satan: you will be like God. But we are told in Genesis 1:26-27 that they were already like God, made in His own image. In addition, they were being provided with the very best education. Before their disobedience, Adam and Eve were free moral agents who were sinless. The enemy of God exploited innocence by teaching evil and making it sound good.

Up to this very moment in time, people are still faced with making the distinction between good and evil. It is possible to know both without a clear understanding of which is which. Notice that the tree of the knowledge of good and evil is not called the ‘tree of discernment.’ The serpent did not ask Eve if she wanted to become ‘Evil.’ Blurring distinctions is Satan’s strong suit. Evil is rooted in failing to esteem what God says. Every. Single. Time.

Let’s take a forward glance toward the eternal future: heaven and earth made new. Every inhabitant will be totally committed to live by the word of God without the slightest reservation or doubt. Currently we are still “in class” in order to purify our orientation toward Yahweh and His word. He is coming back soon, so there is no time to waste!

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Matthew 5:8