Wisdom is the Tree of Life - Proverbs 3:18

Solomon gives us a beautiful illustration describing a marvelous benefit of wisdom. In order to understand the illustration, we have to go back to Genesis. God created the garden of Eden for Adam to enjoy. In the midst of the Garden was the tree of life (Genesis 2:9). If Adam would have passed the probationary test (i.e. not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil), then he would have been able to partake of the tree of life in righteousness. After the fall, God thrust Adam out of the garden to prevent him from eating of the tree of life. If Adam would have eaten of the tree after the fall, then there would be no hope for redemption. In other words, Adam could not achieved life on his own terms. Only God can set the terms for eternal life.

It is important to note that the tree of life was in the midst of the garden, which reminds us that God was central to Adam prior to the fall. The second Adam came, not only to bring eternal life, but to restore God to His proper place. The lives of the redeemed are God centered. And through the blood of Christ at the consummation of the age, we have the right to eat of the tree that Adam was barred from (Revelation 2:7, 22:2, 22:14).