WHY HUMANS DIE

Why, then, do humans die?  To find the answer, we must consider what happened when there was only one man and woman on earth.  The Bible explains:  "Jehovah God made to grow out of the ground every tree desirable to one's sight and good for food." (Genesis 2:9)  However, there was one restriction.  Jehovah told Adam:  "From every tree of the garden you may eat to satisfaction.  But as for the tree of knowledge of good and bad you must not eat from it, for in the day you eat from it you will positively die." (Genesis 2:16, 17)  This command was not difficult to obey. There were many other trees from which Adam and Eve could eat.  But they now received a special opportunity to show their gratitude to the One who had given them everything, including perfect life.  Their obedience would also show that they respected the authority of their heavenly Father and that they wanted his loving direction. 

Sadly, the first human couple chose to disobey Jehovah. Speaking through a serpent, Satan asked Eve: "Is it really so that God said you must not eat from every tree of the garden?   Eve replied:   "Of the fruit of the trees of the garden      we may eat.  But as for eating of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, God has said "You must not eat from it, no, you must not touch it that you do not die.' " -Genesis 3:1-3.  

"You positively will not die," said Satan.  "God knows that in the very day of your eating from it your eyes are bound to be opened and you are bound to be like God, knowing good and bad."  (Genesis 3:4, 5) Satan wanted Eve to believe that she would benefit by eating the forbidden fruit. According to him, she could decide for herself what was right and what was wrong; she could do what she wanted. Satan also charged that Jehovah had lied about the  consequences of eating the fruit. Eve believed Satan.   So she picked up some of the fruit and ate it. She then gave some to her husband, and he too ate some of it.  They did not act in ignorance.  They knew that they were doing exactly what God had told them not to do. By eating the fruit, they deliberately disobeyed a simple and reasonable command.  (and most people are still disobeying God)  They showed contempt for their heavenly Father and his authority.  Such disrespect for their loving Creator was inexcusable! 

Next time: Conclusion of WHY HUMANS DIE

From the Book: What Does the Bible Really Teach? 2005 and 2006