“So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden cherubim, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.”
(Genesis 3:24)
The fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden was the first and primary instance of man’s disobedience to his Maker. Because the couple chose to listen to the serpent’s lies instead of believing God’s word, they and all their posterity suffered the grave consequences of disobedience.
And God rightly responded to their disobedience with judgment. Curses fell on the serpent, then upon Eve and Adam, and finally upon the earth itself (Gen. 3:14-19). The final curse was death, because sin always brings forth death (James 1:15). But the most devastating consequence of all was the loss of fellowship with God.
They were expelled from paradise, removed from God’s presence, blessing, and fellowship. The aftermath of their disobedience included the loss of God’s favor, the heavy burden of a sinful nature, a guilty conscience, and the terror of eternal separation from God (Rom. 1:18, 5:12; John 3:36).
But even in this, God’s mercy was present. He stationed cherubim with a flaming sword that turned every way to block the path to the tree of life. This prevented Adam and Eve from eating and living forever in a state of sin, cut off without hope; so even the sword became an act of providential kindness.
What happened in the Garden represents a larger reality. For in a lesser sense, whenever God’s Word is dismissed for selfish desire, the same separation is felt. God’s favor is withheld, joy is diminished, and blessing is lost. Fellowship with God is broken, and refreshment in His presence is interrupted.
Thomas Vincent observed, “The bare reading of the holy Scriptures will be unprofitable to you. It will be to you as he that speaks in an unknown tongue, whom none of you understands; or as he that speaks into the air, whose speech is unfruitful. Indeed the Scripture is the water of life, but to you the fountain is sealed. It is as the Garden of the Lord where cherubim, and a flaming sword which turns every way, keep you from the Tree of Life.”[1]
The lesson is clear: disobedience to God’s Word brings exile from His favor. But delight in His law results in life and communion with Him, “His delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night” (Ps. 1:2).
Contemplations:
- The superiority of Scripture. Lord, of everything that I read, Your Word is the most profitable to me (2 Tim. 3:16). Because of its superiority over all other writings, it is called The Scripture, and I might even think of it as the handwriting of God.
- A flaming sword of mercy. Lord, I know Adam was expelled from the garden and cherubim with a flaming sword placed at its entrance to keep him from returning. What a great loss that was; but at the same time it prevented him from eating of the tree that would give him eternal life, so he would not live forever in a cursed state. Even a flaming sword can be merciful when used by Your providence.
- The ministry of angels. I know, Lord, that the angels (cherubim) were to keep Adam out of paradise (Gen. 3:24). But being at peace with God, we are also at peace with the angels. They rejoice over redemption, proclaiming at Christ’s birth, “For unto You is born in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). Scripture also assures me that they are my protectors: “He shall give his angels charge to keep thee” (Ps. 91:11).
Prayer (supplication):
Lord God Almighty, I come before You with trembling heart, asking that You keep me from the dreadful consequences of disobedience. I read of Adam’s fall and the curse that followed, and I see in it my own danger. When I stray from Your Word, I invite the same sorrow and exile. Guard me, Lord, from dismissing Your truth. Keep me from trading Your commands for my own desires. Protect me from the deceit of sin that would rob me of fellowship with You.
I ask You, Lord, to write Your law deep within my heart. Cause me to delight in it as the psalmist who meditated day and night. Let me hunger for it above every other word, for it is the handwriting of God, breathed out by Your Spirit, profitable for teaching, rebuke, correction, and training in righteousness. Let it never be to me as a sealed fountain, inaccessible, but let it flow freely, refreshing my soul.
Spare me, O God, from the curse of a hardened conscience. Preserve me from the misery of being separated from Your presence. I know sin brings death; I feel its weight in my own nature. Deliver me from its power. Keep me from repeating in lesser measure the tragedy of the garden, where man chose to believe a lie and lost communion with his Maker.
Lord, even the flaming sword You placed at Eden’s gate was mercy, lest man live forever under wrath. I pray that You turn Your providence in my life toward mercy as well. If it must be through affliction, trial, and discipline, then let even Your sharpest chastisements serve to keep me from eternal ruin. Wound me if it saves me. Better the stroke of a Father’s hand than the curse of sin unchecked.
I pray also for the ministry of Your holy angels. As You gave them charge over Your children, let them guard me in all my ways. Let their unseen presence be a shield, preserving me from destruction, strengthening me in obedience, and keeping me on the narrow path. Let me live in such a way that their rejoicing over Christ’s redemption is magnified in me.
Above all, Lord, keep me in Christ. He is the true tree of life, the source of eternal communion with You. Let me eat and drink of Him by faith, so that I may never hunger or thirst again. May Your Spirit guide me into constant fellowship with the Savior, that I may not be driven out from Your presence, but welcomed into everlasting life.
Hear my prayer, O God. Hold me fast, keep me near, and lead me home.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further Scripture References for Gen. 3:24:
Psa. 104:4, Gen. 3:23, Psa. 99:1, Ezek. 36:35
[1] Thomas Vincent, An Explicatory Catechism: Or An Explanation of the Assemblies Shorter Catechism (London: 1675), 286.
