The Tree of Life

A recurring theme in Scripture is the Tree of Life. In Genesis and Revelation, the words represent a physical tree that bears fruit and has leaves; in Proverbs, Tree of Life is used in a different sense representing Wisdom and goodness (see Proverbs 3:18, 11:30, 13:12, and 15:4). In Revelation, Tree of Life also represents eternal life in paradise with God. (See Revelation 2:7, 22:2, 22:14, and 22:19) For the sake of our discussion here, let’s consider the Genesis Tree of Life.
Man’s original food was derived entirely from plants.

Genesis 1:29 Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.

Genesis 2:9 And the LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

The Tree of Life appears to be a particular tree (or variety of tree) with special wellness properties such that, after the fall, it had to be put OFF LIMITS:
Genesis 3:22 And the LORD God said, "The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever."

Genesis 3:24 After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.

As I examine wellness products that are available and the benefits coming from them, it gives me the impression that we have come very close to rediscovering the Tree of Life. Although no one fruit gives perfect health, the choice of a wholly natural diet that includes a predominance of fruits and vegetables can enable the body to protect itself against many of the diseases we see around us all the time. As we turn away from stuff that was not intended as human food and turn back to a simple, natural, balanced diet, together with a balanced life (remember the Wheel of Wellness?), we can avoid much of the disease that surrounds us.

The Lord Provides!

Myron Remington
Scripture from NIV