“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 historical narrative presented in the first few chapters of Genesis is a true-life drama depicting the creation and fall of man. The setting for this story is the lush, vibrant Garden of Eden, the home of Adam and his wife Eve, and their covenant responsibility before God. As with every drama, tension is present between good (the Creator) and evil (the Deceiver). And the subsequent themes to covenant that emerge as the story unfolds is that of temptation (3:1-7) and punishment (3:8-24).
Act I opens with the introduction of the cunning and deceptive serpent (language depicting the angelic presence of the devil) entering into conversation with the woman (3:1-5) and culminates with earth’s first couple choosing to eat the fruit of the forbidden tree in the middle of the garden and thereby breaking covenant with God (vv. 6-7). In Act II (3:8-13), God engages Adam and Eve in dialogue, asking a series of questions (which he already knew the answers to) because an essential piece of the process for Adam and Eve was to face not only their blatant disobedience but also to own the promised consequences. In Act III, God pronounces judgment, first on the serpent (vv. 14-15), then on the woman (v. 16), and finally on the man (vv. 17-19). And in the final Act, God covers their lost innocence (v. 21), and in his infinite mercy drives Adam and Eve from the Garden (vv. 22-23), assigning cherubim to guard against re-entry with a flaming sword (v. 24).
The first observation made here is that when Adam sinned, dreadful realities were introduced into the human condition. Spiritually speaking, all human beings from that point forward are fallen, in sin, corrupted and experience death, now needing to war against evil while tending to hide from the only One who can ensure victory (vv. 10, 15). On a physical level, labor is frustrating and toilsome, frequently requiring strenuous effort and suffering just to survive (vv. 16-19). And finally, interpersonal relations often lack harmony as the sexes struggle to live out their assigned roles, and as a result of these challenges regularly experience estrangement from one another (vv. 12, 16).
And as the drama concludes, we also note that the Garden of Eden, often referred to as Paradise, is so because of the presence of God. If you recall, cherubim guarded the place where God manifested himself to the Israelites in the tabernacle as well as in the temple. Cherubim were embroidered on the veil that covered the holy place (26:31-33; 36:35); golden cherubim also kept watch over the ark of the covenant (37:1-9). So we can surmise that when God placed cherubim at the east entrance of the garden (Gen. 3:24), it was to demonstrate that sinners (the state of Adam and Eve post Fall) do not have access to his presence… and that God alone can provide the means that allows for reentry into His presence (Gen. 3:15; Lev. 16; Mark 15:33-39).
William Guild said, “That tree of life endured but for a time: but our Tree of Life endures forever (Heb. 7:24)… our Tree of Life, Christ Jesus, restores life lost to his own chosen. Yes, a better life than Adam’s in Paradise. And since he is the end of the Law to them that believe (Rom. 10), he now becomes to us by the covenant of Grace, the true Tree of Life, performing that which that of works could not attain to, by reason of man’s fall.”[1]
Contemplations:
- Through Adam I became an heir of the curse. Yet through my Savior, the second Adam, I am restored to a far better estate, being made heir of all things in both heaven and earth through him.
- This comfort I receive, that heaven is mine and all the joys of it, and that I am already set in the heavenly places in Christ my head, who holds me securely for the day I enter paradise to spend eternity with him.
- This is also my assurance, that I perceive all creation ready to help me, especially in times of trial, and that I may use whatever God has made, sanctifying all by the word and prayer, while remembering that my affections are set on heavenly things.
Further References for Genesis 3:24:
Psalm 104:4; Gen. 3:23; Ezek. 10:1; Heb. 1:7
[1] William Guild, Moses Unveiled (London: George Purslowe, 1620), 2–3.
