While events in Eden may seem to be a straightforward lesson in obedience, two important moral issues were raised there by Satan. First, Satan disputed whether Jehovah’s rulership over his creatures was exercised righteously and in their best interests. Perhaps humans could do a better job of governing themselves. Second, Satan questioned whether any intelligent creatures would remain faithful and loyal to God when obedience seemed to bring no material benefits.a

A clear understanding of the issues raised in Eden, along with a knowledge of Jehovah’s attributes, helps us to understand the solution to the “theologian’s problem,” namely to reconcile the existence of evil with God’s attributes of power and love. While it is true that Jehovah possesses unlimited power and is the very personification of love, he also is wise and just. He exercises these four attributes in perfect balance. Thus, he did not use his irresistible power to destroy the three rebels immediately. That would have been just but not necessarily wise or loving. Furthermore, he did not merely forgive and forget, a course that some might feel would have been the loving option. To have done that would have been neither wise nor just.

Time was needed to settle the issues that Satan raised. It would take time to prove whether humans could properly rule themselves independently of God. By permitting the three rebels to continue living, Jehovah also made it possible for creatures to share in proving false Satan’s claim by serving God faithfully under difficult circumstances.b