Sketches of Sermons Genesis 3:24 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… I. THE EVENT HERE RECORDED. 1. The expulsion was not forcible. We may infer from the entire narrative that Adam had by this time been brought to penitence. 2. Neither are we to suppose that this event occurred merely as a carrying out of the curse which had been pronounced. The principal reason was, that access to the tree of life might be barred. By this man was taught the full consequence of sin. II. THE TRANSACTION THAT FOLLOWED. 1. Cherubim (see Ezekiel 1:22; Ezekiel 10:1; Revelation 4:6). 2. Flaming sword, "Turning every way" — literally "back on itself": the fire of wrath, kindled by transgression, instead of burning out to consume man, would turn back and expend itself on "God manifest in the flesh." III. THE DESIGN OF THIS TRANSACTION. 1. To teach the principles of redemption. 2. To keep the divinely appointed way to eternal life in remembrance. 3. That it might serve as a temple of worship. (Sketches of Sermons.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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