BIBLE WATCH

In the garden of Eden, there were many trees, but two were specifically named.  One was the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil and one was called the Tree of Life.  It is interesting to note, however, that these two trees were located in the exact same place in the garden.   Genesis 2:9 Out of the ground the LORD God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing 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.   Genesis 3:2-3 The woman said to the serpent, “From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.’”   These two trees were in the exact same place – in the middle of the garden. When God gave the children of Israel instructions on eating the fruit of trees, He tells them in  Leviticus 19:23 ‘When you enter the land and plant all kinds of tree

The view that God is associated with fear in the Old Testament and love in the New Testament stems from the perception that God manifests different natures or attributes under the two testaments. The fact is that God never changes His nature and attributes but the manner of His revelation.  In the Old Testament, God is commonly identified with the laws He gave to Moses and his influence appears to be closely restricted to the Jews, His covenant people. The rest of the world appear isolated and are often depicted as hostile to God and to His people. For example, the Psalmist captures this idea in  Psalms.  Psalms  47:3-4 which says “He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet. He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved.”  Psalms 96:5 “For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.”  The “nations” here refer to all nations or kindred apart from the Jews who were monotheistic under God.  The picture that

This is one of the most quoted sayings of all times when it comes to God. The only problem is that it is not a verse in the Bible. Yes, God does work in ways we do not understand. This saying is most likely a simplified paraphrasing of the verse below. Romans 11:33  O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! It is not that this saying is wrong, it is simply not in the Bible.