When Adam and Eve sinned, it was not a simple mistake; it was a cosmic fracture, the fracturing of the entire created order. This was not merely a breach in the fellowship between God and man, but a disruption of the heavenly harmony that governed all of creation. In that moment, the peace of Eden was shattered. The union of God and man was torn apart.

Man, created in the image of God, no longer reflected the glory of his Creator. The very glory that had clothed Adam and Eve in innocence (Genesis 2:25) was stripped away. They stood naked, exposed before one another and before God, filled with shame and fear. This was the tragic consequence of sin—a rupture not only in their relationship with God but also in their relationship with creation and with one another.

Yet, in response to this fall, God did not obliterate them. Instead, He set in place a sign, a declaration of both His holiness and His mercy—two cherubim and a flaming sword to guard the way to the Tree of Life. The Garden was closed, but not forever. The way to access the tree, the source of eternal life, was sealed but God’s redemptive plan would one day reopen it through death and resurrection.

The Opening of the Eyes and the Exposure of Flesh #

Genesis 3:7 (AMP) — “Then the eyes of the two of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings.”

At the moment of sin, their eyes were opened (Hebrew: paqach, פָּקַח), meaning they suddenly gained an awareness, but this was not the enlightenment of understanding—it was the painful revelation of their fallen state. Eyes opened now refers to a knowledge of good and evil, but also to the loss of their innocent, untainted perspective.

The very first consequence of sin was awareness, but this awareness was not enlightenment—it was shame, for they now saw their nakedness (Hebrew: ‘erwah, עֶרוֹת), which represents both physical exposure and a deeper spiritual brokenness. They had lost the covering of God’s glory, which had clothed them (Genesis 2:25), and now the flesh was exposed for the first time, not only in the physical sense but spiritually as well.

The flesh (Greek: sarx, σάρξ) was now the dominant reality of their being. Before sin, Adam and Eve had known life in the Spirit, their souls completely at one with God. But now, flesh—the fallen, carnal nature—took prominence. The flesh represents the human condition post-fall, where the desires and inclinations of man are distorted, governed by sin rather than by the divine nature. Where once there was a glorious covering, now there was shame and exposure, and their reaction was to attempt to cover themselves with the fig leaves—an inadequate covering, representing humanity’s futile attempt to deal with sin through works and self-effort.

The Tragic Consequence of Sin #

This nakedness (not just physical but spiritual) exposed their brokenness and need for reconciliation. They tried to cover it with the fig leaves, a symbol of their works to make themselves acceptable before God, but this was futile. No human effort could restore the glory that was lost. The eyes were opened, but instead of enlightenment, they found the weight of condemnation. Where once they stood in the glorious presence of God, now they were filled with shame and fear (Genesis 3:10), hiding from the very One who had created them. The profound reality of separation from God set in as their relationship with Him was fractured.

This separation was not just spiritual. It also caused a breakdown in their relationship with one another and with creation. The intimacy they once had with each other now became marred by shame and fear, as they began to see each other through the lens of their fallen flesh. Sin had distorted their perception of both God and each other, introducing strife and division where there had been unity.

The Exile and the Way to Life #

As a result of their sin, Adam and Eve were driven from the Garden, the very place of God’s intimate fellowship. The cherubim and the flaming sword guarded the way to the Tree of Life (Genesis 3:24), and man was cut off from the life-giving source that he had once freely partaken of. This was not just an exile from Eden, but from the presence of God, from life itself. The way to the Tree of Life was sealed.

But even in this act of judgment, God provided a glimmer of hope. The expulsion from Eden was not a final rejection of humanity, but a prophetic act pointing towards the restoration of access to life through the coming Redeemer. Christ, the Last Adam, would one day open the way to the Tree of Life once more—not through fig leaves or human effort, but through His sacrifice and the shed blood that would remove the shame and exposure of the flesh.

Driven Out of Eden: The Hebrew Meaning of “Garash” #

Genesis 3:24 (AMP) — “So God drove the man out; and at the east of the Garden of Eden He permanently stationed the cherubim and the sword with the flashing blade which turned round and round [in every direction] to protect and guard the way (the access) to the tree of life.”

The Hebrew word for “drove out” is garash (גָּרַשׁ), which means “to expel”, “to divorce”, or “to thrust away violently.” This word carries a deep, powerful intent—it speaks of a severing, a deep break in the relationship between man and God. Man was expelled from the Garden, cut off from the very source of life. This act of expulsion was not merely a punishment but a tragic consequence of sin—man, once invited into the intimate fellowship of God, was now shut out, unable to approach the divine presence.

But even in this expulsion, we see a prophetic message of mercy. God did not leave humanity without hope. The cherubim and the flaming sword were not merely punitive; they were a reminder of the holiness of God and the cost of entering His presence.

The Symbolism of the East #

Genesis 3:24 (AMP) — “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.”

The east (Hebrew: qedem, קֶדֶם) plays a significant role in Scripture and is rich in symbolic meaning. In the context of the expulsion from Eden, east is not just a geographical direction but a theological and symbolic one. East often represents the place of separation, the departure from the presence of God, or the beginning of a journey into a fallen, cursed world.

In the ancient Near East, the east was typically associated with sin, departure, and exile. The first instance of this symbolism comes with the removal of Adam and Eve, when they are driven east of the Garden. The east marks the place where humanity’s journey into sin began. It is as if the way to life was blocked by the flaming sword at the eastern gate, symbolising that man’s return to God, and the restoration of Eden’s innocence, would not be an easy journey. The east becomes the opposite of the presence of God, where paradise is lost and man is now forced to toil under the curse.

Theologically, east is tied to the sunrise—the coming of a new day, but in this case, it represents the darkness of a new era that humanity must walk through. This is why, throughout Scripture, the east is often linked with idolatry and false worship, as seen in the locations of pagan temples (e.g., in Ezekiel 8:16, where the Israelites worshipped the sun toward the east). It is a place of separation from the true God, a journey away from His presence.

From East to West: Evening to Morning, Darkness to Light #

The symbolism of moving from east to west in Scripture is profound. The east often represents separation from God, darkness, and exile, while the west is associated with restoration, light, and the presence of God. This movement from east to west beautifully mirrors the transition from evening to morning, from darkness to light, and even from death to life in the journey of redemption.

The Beginning of Time: Evening and Morning #

Genesis 1:5 (AMP) — “God called the light day, and the darkness He called night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day.”

In the creation narrative, the evening (Hebrew: ereb, עֶרֶב) comes before the morning (Hebrew: boqer, בֹּקֶר). The evening signifies darkness, chaos, and the absence of light, while the morning signals the emergence of light, the beginning of order, and the restoration of creation. This order of evening to morning mirrors the spiritual journey of man, from the darkness of sin to the light of salvation through Christ. The transition from evening to morning is not just a physical reality but a spiritual truth that defines our experience in Christ.

The East as Darkness, the West as Light #

The east, as we’ve seen earlier, symbolises separation, idolatry, and exile. In the context of Adam and Eve, their expulsion from Eden to the east marked their separation from the presence of God and the beginning of their journey into darkness. The eastward journey is marked by sin’s consequences and the curse, the physical and spiritual exile from the light of God’s presence.

Contrarily, the West symbolises return, restoration, and God’s presence. In the Hebrew mind, the west is where the sun sets, and this represents the end of the day. But, on a deeper level, this also points to Christ, the light of the world, who would be the one to turn our night into day, to bring the morning light of the new creation. In Christ, the way to the west—a return to God—is opened, symbolising the restoration of our fellowship with God, the redemption of humanity, and the light of salvation.

Theologically, east to west and evening to morning represent redemption—the progression from the darkness of sin to the light of Christ’s salvation. This spiritual journey is reflected in both creation and our walk with God.

The Restored Access #

As Adam and Eve were expelled east of Eden, their separation from God was marked by both their physical relocation and a spiritual exile. Yet, the redemption story is one where the east-to-west movement speaks of returning to the presence of God through Christ, the Light of the World. Jesus, through His death, burial, and resurrection, has opened the way to the Tree of Life, and that way is symbolised by the movement from east to west—from exile to restoration, from darkness to light.

The Sword and Cherubim: Symbols of Holiness and Prophetic Fulfilment #

The flaming sword (Hebrew: lahat, לַהַט)—meaning “flame” or “blaze”—was a constant, turning in every direction, symbolising unceasing and inescapable judgment. There was no way back into Eden except through the sword. The flaming sword spoke of divine judgment—God’s holy wrath against sin, which must be satisfied before man could enter into His presence once more.

The cherubim (Hebrew: keruvim, כְּרוּבִים)—the angelic beings stationed at the Garden’s entrance—were more than guards. They were a testimony of God’s holiness. The cherubim, whose faces were described as having multiple aspects (man, lion, ox, and eagle in Ezekiel 1 and 10), represented the fullness of Christ. In them, we see the foreshadowing of the one who would come to fulfil all things. Christ, who embodies perfect humanity (man), sovereignty (lion), sacrificial service (ox), and divine glory (eagle), was the one who would one day walk through the flaming sword and fulfil the righteous requirement of the law.

The Law and the Prophets: Witnesses, Not Barriers #

Some have mistakenly thought that the flaming sword and cherubim symbolise the Law and the Prophets—guardians of God’s holiness, standing as obstacles to man’s access to God. But this is not the case. The Law and the Prophets were never designed to block man from God. They were witnesses to the coming of Christ, pointing to the One who would fulfil all things.

Romans 3:21 (AMP) — “But now the righteousness of God has been clearly revealed independently and completely apart from the Law, though it is actually confirmed by the Law and the Prophets.”

The Law (Greek: nomos, νόμος) was given to expose sin and highlight the need for a saviour, but it could never make us righteous (Romans 3:20). The Prophets (Greek: prophetes, προφήτης), too, were not barriers but voices declaring the coming Redeemer. The law was not a means of salvation, but a tutor to lead us to Christ (Galatians 3:24).

The flaming sword and cherubim represent the necessity of judgment and atonement, not the Law itself. The Law pointed to Christ, the one who would satisfy its righteous demands. Hence, we see that the sword and cherubim are not symbols of the Law but of God’s holiness and the cost of atonement.

The Faces of the Cherubim and the Fullness of Christ #

In Ezekiel’s visions (Ezekiel 1 and 10), the cherubim are described as having four faces: man, lion, ox, and eagle. These faces point to the complete nature of Christ.

• Man: Christ, the Son of Man, who fully partook of human nature, walking among us in perfect humanity.
• Lion: Christ, the King, victorious and sovereign, ruling with righteousness and power.
• Ox: Christ, the Servant, who bore the yoke of suffering, serving us even unto death.
• Eagle: Christ, the Divine One, who ascended to heaven, eternal in glory.

The cherubim were, in a sense, silent witnesses to Christ, even before His manifestation in flesh. Everything they represented—His humanity, His kingship, His sacrificial service, and His divinity—would be fully revealed in the person of Jesus Christ.

The Tabernacle: Echoes of Delight and the Way to Life #

When God instructed Moses to build the Tabernacle (Exodus 25), He was essentially recreating the separation that was established in Eden. In the Tabernacle, the Most Holy Place was separated by a veil, representing the distance between a holy God and sinful man. Above the mercy seat, on the Ark of the Covenant, were two cherubim, their wings spread out, symbolising God’s presence. The cherubim no longer blocked the way—they bore witness to mercy, but only after blood was shed.

Exodus 26:31 (AMP) — “You shall make a veil [to divide the two rooms] of blue, purple, and scarlet fabric and fine twisted linen, skilfully worked with cherubim on it.”

This veil was a reminder of the holiness of God and the need for a mediator. The cherubim, once guards, were now symbols of the mercy that would come through the sacrificial blood.

Christ: The Living Way Opened Through the Veil #

When Christ died on the cross, something profound happened: the veil of the temple was torn in two (Matthew 27:51), symbolising that the way to God’s presence was now open. This was not merely a symbolic act but a cosmic reality: Christ’s flesh was the true veil (Hebrews 10:20), and through His death, He opened the way back to God.

Hebrews 10:19–20 (AMP) — “Therefore, believers, since we have confidence and full freedom to enter the Holy Place [the place where God dwells] by means of the blood of Jesus, by this new and living way which He initiated and opened for us through the veil, as in His flesh…”

Christ did not simply pierce through the law to access the Tree of Life; He fulfilled the law perfectly. He not only silenced the prophets; He embodied everything they spoke of. The flaming sword met Christ and found no fault in Him. The cherubim witnessed Christ as the perfect sacrifice. Through Him, the way to eternal life is no longer guarded—it is now open to all who believe.

The Cup of Suffering and the Flaming Sword #

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus faced the cup of God’s wrath—the flaming sword that would turn in every direction. He prayed to His Father, asking if it were possible to avoid the suffering, but His submission to the will of God sealed the fate of the curse of sin and divine judgment upon Him.

Matthew 26:39 (AMP) — “And after going a little farther, He fell face down and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if it is possible [that is, consistent with Your will], let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.’”

The cup symbolised the full wrath of God’s judgment upon sin—the very wrath that was symbolised by the flaming sword. No man could bear this judgment and live. But Christ, in His pure holiness, drank from the cup and bore the flaming sword in our place.

The First Adam and the Last Adam #

Where the first Adam failed, bringing death to all his descendants, the Last Adam (Christ) succeeded, bringing life to all who are born of Him.

1 Corinthians 15:45 (AMP) — “So it is written [in Scripture], ‘The first man, Adam, became a living soul (an individual); the last Adam (Christ) became a life-giving spirit [restoring the dead to life].”

The first Adam was driven from Eden by disobedience. The Last Adam entered the Holy of Holies through perfect obedience. Where Adam fled the presence of God in shame, Christ willingly faced the judgment of God and opened the way for all who believe.

The Way is Open Now #

The exile from Eden is over. The Tree of Life stands open, and Christ is the living way. The flaming sword has passed over Him, and the cherubim now proclaim the worthy Lamb.

Revelation 22:17 (AMP) — “The [Holy] Spirit and the bride (the church, believers) say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take and drink the water of life without cost.”

The exile is over. The Garden is open again. The way has been made alive in Christ. Come, drink freely, for the way has been made clear by the blood of the Lamb.

In Christ,

Shaliach.