Knowledge Versus Dependence

"And the serpent said unto the woman, 'Ye shall not surely die: for God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, the your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil." Genesis 3.4-5

All worlds abide by a unique set of values. In our world progress is highly esteemed; but in order for progress to occur, knowledge must be gained. Whether academically, occupationally, or relationally, one must acquire the right kind of knowledge in order to "make the grade," "land the promotion," or "get the girl."

But in God's world, His system of values reigns. Chief among them is the value or necessity of dependence. Dependence requires the individual to live by faith - a condition that demands commitment before knowing. By eating the forbidden fruit, Eve sought to do away with this element. She wanted her rights more than she wanted a relationship; the 'freedom' to know all without realizing that it would cost her all.

Because God wants a relationship with us, He wants us to depend on Him for sustenance, direction, and a sense of worth. We must walk by faith - in obedience - to acquire these things, believing God will provide them even when we lack any scientific proof to assure us that He will.

The accumulation of knowledge is not wrong; it is simply worthless compared to "knowing God and being found" - i.e. finding one's value - "in Him" (Col. 3).

The patriarchs and prophets lived in this way, committing themselves to follow after God, though they did not know where, precisely, He was leading them. "By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called...And he went out, not knowing where he was going" (Hebrews 11.8). Noah spent years building the ark despite a lack of evidence to prove it would rain. Sarah believed she would conceive though she was past the time of childbearing. "By faith Moses, when he was grown, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's Daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin" (Hebrews 11.25).

We are wise to thank God when we encounter circumstances that require our dependence. "He knows our frame; he is mindful that we are but dust." And he will not fail to lead us in the way everlasting.