Tag: tree of life

Cherubim

Posted on by jovial_cynic
Genesis 3 introduces us to a creature that we’re not familiar with. Because of the passing of time, literally nobody is certain what they are.

It’s the Cherubim.

There was a time we thought they were babies with wings. Read the article to know why!

What we know for certain is that “cherubim” is the plural of “cherub,” and they are mentioned nearly 100 times in the Scriptures. However, I don’t recall ever hearing a sermon including them. They seem wildly important, yet they’re never talked about.

It’s interesting.

Separated from Life

Posted on by jovial_cynic
Genesis 2 and 3 mention a Tree of Life.

Adam calls his wife the “Mother of Life.”

Genesis 3 seems to separate the man and his wife and put them at odds with each other, right after God brought the together in the previous chapter.

We read that Adam is cursed to die, and that a flaming sword blocks Adam from the Tree of Life.

From Eve? Is Adam separated from both Life and from his wife?

There is so much being said here.

Flaming Sword

Posted on by jovial_cynic
The flaming sword is said to “flash back and forth” to guard the way to the Tree of Life.

This has two meanings in the form used here:

to transform oneself
to turn this way and that, turn every way

H2015: הָפַךְ

But also, we never hear about this flaming sword again.

It’s very odd.

So He drove the man out; and at the east of the Garden of Eden He stationed the cherubim and the flaming sword which turned every direction to guard the way to the tree of life.

Genesis 3:24 (NASB)

God’s Name and a Burning Bush

Posted on by jovial_cynic
Jumping forward to Exodus, we learn that Moses doesn’t know God’s name until Exodus 3:15 when he meets God at the burning bush.

But WE are given God’s name in Genesis 2:4, right before the Tree of Life is described:

This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, when the LORD God made the earth and the heavens.
Genesis 2:4 (NKJV)

God’s name and the Burning Bush seem linked, both in Exodus and in Genesis.

I wonder if Moses was given a vision of the Tree of Life, barely obscured by flaming swords (Gen 3:24).

So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.
Genesis 3:24 (NKJV)

Perhaps the imagery is that the Tree of Life can only be accessed by Fire. This could point to following the Pillar of Fire, or being refined by Fire, or perhaps being “burned in the Fire” as a Living Sacrifice.

It could be many things, but it seems to be linked… to dying.