Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 85:340 (Oct 1928)
Article: The Way Of The Tree Of Life
Author: Charles Edward Smith

BSac 85:340 (Oct 1928) p. 461

The Way Of The Tree Of Life

Charles Edward Smith

The 24th verse of the third chapter of Genesis1 is one of those passages of Scripture which the average, un-theological reader may read again and again and remain hopeless of ever comprehending its true meaning. And yet it occurs at a point where the significance of the sacred narrative is very necessary to be understood in order to perceive the goodness and glory of God in his first dealings with our sinful race. It is like a sign at the corner of a road which the traveler must read not to lose his way written in an unknown language. If he can get it translated he will go on his way rejoicing.

Short as the passage is, it confronts and confounds the unlearned reader with three mysteries: —the cherubim, a flaming sword, and the tree of life. These are all symbols, and symbols introduced in a history told in a plain language are most perplexing. They are introduced, doubtless, here as elsewhere in the Scriptures, because the facts to be made known could adequately be made known in no other way. It is for us patiently to study the symbols until they unfold to us the truth hidden in them. God has locked up many a treasure in a casket which seemed to have no key, but the finder of the key is richly rewarded.

It is not to be denied, however, that careful reflection upon the language, irrespective of the symbols, may yield a partial, though negative glimpse of the truth of the passage.

It is evident from the words “God drove out the man” that Adam was very unwilling to leave Eden, and had to be forced out. No wonder that he resisted the edict

BSac 85:340 (Oct 1928) p. 462

that banished him from his beautiful home to the howling wilderness which had to be subdued and civilized before he could make a new home for himself. And that tree of life which was in the midst of the garden he was reluctant to leave, perhaps, because by some antiseptic virtue it possessed he might delay the approach of that dreadful sentence of death against him. It is not unthinkable that he resisted expulsion with all the might of his rebellious, untrained spirit, and, if he did, it would be necessary not only to put him out, but also to keep him out. To effect this permanently some barrier must be raised, some terrifying guard must be stationed at the entrance of Eden, and a flaming sword turning every way to keep the way of the tree of life from intrusion would perfectly serve the purpose.

If this lesson alone were seen in the passage, it would be perceived that God taught Adam at this juncture the very first thing which a sinner needs to learn, namely, that there are n...