Genesis 3:24. Cherubims of Judgment Reveal God’s Purpose of Grace

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Genesis 3:24 “So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.”

Adam and Eve must have either been too been slow to obey God’s command when He “sent him forth,” (3:23) or actually resisted, for now “he drove out the man.” That language combined with the flaming sword indicates at the least a threat of force that ended any illusions the guilty pair may have had of returning to their garden home. Clearly it was impossible for them to regain what they had lost by their own efforts. 

Yet we see again the mercy and condescension of God, because the Cherubims He placed between humanity and the tree of life are also the creatures who stand in His immediate presence! (See Exodus 25:18-22, 37:9, 1 Samuel 4:4, 6:2, 2 Kings 19:15, Hebrews 9:5) God could have withdrawn Himself, He could have removed the garden and the tree of life. Instead, He came closer. He did not abandon this world, not even for a minute. Instead He placed the Cherubims and a revolving light saber not to take away, but to preserve “the way of the tree of life.” Those guardians who executed God’s justice were also evidence of His merciful purpose to not merely save and restore humanity, but elevate them above their previous estate by making the earth His dwelling place, the location of His throne, and the heart of His kingdom. 


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Ezra James
The Word of God is bread from heaven. God sent it, but we must gather it, appreciate it, digest it, and live by it. These days it is increasingly scarce. Many are starving for it and don't know it because they keep feasting on bad bread that doesn't satisfy. But if we would learn to carefully gather up the fragments of the True, Heavenly Bread of Life, we would always enjoy a feast of crumbs, because even God's crumbs are miracles mighty to save (Mark 7:24-30). ESPAÑOL: La Palabra de Dios es pan del cielo. Dios lo envió, pero debemos recogerlo, apreciarlo, digerirlo y vivir por él. Hoy en día es cada vez más escaso. Muchos están muriendo de hambre por falta de él sin saberlo porque se alimentan de pan falso que no satisface. Pero si aprendiéramos a recoger cuidadosamente los fragmentos del Verdadero Pan Celestial, Pan de Vida, siempre disfrutaríamos de un banquete de migajas, porque hasta las migajas de Dios son milagros poderosos para salvar (Marcos 7:24-30).