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 (See Exodus 25:18-22, 37:9, 1 Samuel 4:4, 6:2, 2 Kings 19:15, Hebrews 9:5) God could have withdrawn Himself, He could have removed the garden and the tree of life.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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