04/03/2022
I am reading the Bible straight through for the very first time, and I just came across an interesting passage in Leviticus that reminded me of the Garden account in Genesis. While Leviticus can be a dry read, I think it is one of the most important books because of God's purposes behind each law that was given to the Israelites.
For example, Leviticus 19:23-25, which reads: ‘When you enter the land and plant all kinds of trees for food, then you shall count their fruit as forbidden. Three years it shall be forbidden to you; it shall not be eaten. But in the fourth year all its fruit shall be holy, an offering of praise to the Lord. In the fifth year you are to eat of its fruit, that its yield may increase for you; I am the Lord your God."
The key word that stood out to me is "forbidden." Adam and Eve were forbidden to eat of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. I've heard from some Biblical scholars that if Adam and Eve had chosen to obey God and not eat from the tree, they may have eventually been allowed to do so. God had a plan for them, and just like so many others in the Bible who decided not to wait for God to act, they acted on their own accord and ultimately paid a heavy price for it. I can't help but think that this Leviticus passage is tied to God's command to Adam and Eve.
Am I crazy for thinking this?
Let's play this out...If the passage is tied to the Garden account, that would mean that after a certain period of time, Adam and Eve could eat from the forbidden fruit. It would eventually become holy, then free to eat. Now, we see the numbers 3, 4 and 5 in the passage. After 3 years, the fruit becomes holy in the 4th year, and is to be an offer to God, then in the 5th year they may eat of it. The number 3 in the Bible represents completion, which makes sense in this reference. The fruit becomes ripe for harvest (complete) after three years and therefore in the 4th year, is worthy of sacrifice to God. And the number 4 in the Bible often represents "creation." Specifically, the completion of God's work in creation, especially because by day 4, He created the entire material universe. Finally, we see the number 5 show up in the Leviticus verse - the 5th year. That's when the Israelites were allowed to eat the fruit, because at this point it would be mature enough to yield more fruit. Interestingly, the number 5 in the Bible represents God's grace and favor toward humans. And, ironically, year 5 was when the Israelites could enjoy the fruit of the tree, or reap God's grace.
How does all this rambling tie together?
Perhaps Leviticus remains consistent with God's command to Adam and Eve not being allowed to eat of the tree until the time was right. Could it be that the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil wasn't ripe at the time they took from it? Or, could it be that Adam and Eve weren't "ripe," or mature enough to handle the implications of the knowledge they were about to receive? If they had been mature enough, the fruit of the tree would have yielded good fruit in the lives of Adam and Eve - and God would know this, which is why he commanded them not to eat of it until the appointed time.
God gives us commands for our own good. The moral laws are not arbitrary, but rather put in place to protect us, so that we may yield good fruit too. I'd love to hear what you think. God Bless!
