Prayer: Father, You are the Tree of Life, springing forth from beginning to end, Alpha and Omega. Amen.
Reading: Genesis 2 key vs. 9b
Now the Tree of Life was in the middle of the garden, and also the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.
Attention: Living in Washington State, I grew up around trees. The state is known as the Evergreen State because of its Douglas Fir trees which decorate the Cascade and Olympic Mountain ranges. Additionally, the homestead which I grew up on had numerous fruit trees surrounding the property.
I love the symbology of the Tree of Life tree. Deep roots, fullness of foliage and a living entity. My wonder is this, are we not able to see the garden of Eden because Adonai has shielded us with angel sentries? In other words, the garden of Eden still exists, but it is hidden from us. Or was the garden of Eden destroyed in the great flood?
In past journals and in my book, Choose Life Journal (available at Barnes & Noble or Amazon), I have documented my preference of Bible translation to the Tree of Life Version. The uniqueness to this translation is that it was developed by a collaborative effort between The Messianic Jewish Family Bible Society and King’s University, so they use the Hebrew names for Adonai (God), Yeshua (Jesus) and Ruach Elohim (Holy Spirit), and various Hebrew words throughout. I hope you will consider the Tree of Life Version for your next Bible purchase.
An additional observation, in the beginning of Chapter 2, we are told that God “ceased—on the seventh day—from all His work that He made. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it.” The Hebrew word for “blessed” is barak which means to boast, congratulate, and salute. I heard someone talking on this declaration from Genesis 2:1-3 and they commented that while we have used “rest” in many translations, that the concept is more of a celebration than rest, which the Hebrew word for “prepare” is asah which means accomplish or celebrate. For God does not require sleep as man does (Psalms 121:4).
Action: I embrace the Tree of Life and the Tree of Life version of the Bible.
Yield: I rejoice and celebrate with Adonai over His creative works.
Engage: I engage with Adonai in choosing the Tree of Life.
Relationship: My life is founded upon the Tree of Life.
Prayer: Father, I praise You for wonderfully and fearfully making mankind, man and woman. Thank You for making a way back to You. In Yeshua ’s name, amen.
Memory Verse: Genesis 2:9b
Now the Tree of Life was in the middle of the garden, and also the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.
Music Video: Kari Jobe, Rest https://youtu.be/EMXUiMA0IIE
Remember, “Abide in Yeshua, today!”