The Cherubim

The third chapter of Genesis closes with the first mention of angels. These particular angels who have been set at the entrance of Eden to guard access to the Tree of Life, are called "cherubim," the plural form of "cherub." The meaning of their name is unknown, but interestingly the one who influenced the serpent (aka Satan) began as a cherub:

"Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering…thou art the anointed cherub that covereth…thou was perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, til iniquity was found in thee…thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground…" (Ezekiel 28:13-17)

This cherub, prior to being found with iniquity because of his sin of pride, was named Lucifer which means light-bearer, shining one, morning star. He is spoken of by the prophet Isaiah and also by Jesus:

"How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the side of the pit." (Isaiah 14:12-14)

"And He [Jesus] said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven." (Luke 10:18)

Obviously then, cherubim had access to the garden where Adam and Eve walked with God. The cherubim were winged beings. Ezekiel chapters 1 and 10 give us further details about their most unusual appearance (they are not your typical angel) having four wings, and four faces, and wheels. And they sparkle or shine as though with fire, so that as they move they give the appearance of lightning. They also have wheels that stay by their sides…wherever the cherubim go, the wheels also go.

The study of cherubim, the study of seraphim (meaning fiery or burning ones), and the study of angels (meaning messengers) is a study that we will get into in depth as we get further into the bible. For now, know that cherubim were very vocal in their praises of God, and are associated with worship of God. They are the ones whose images decorate the "ark of the covenant" and God is said to be riding upon the cherubim or enthroned upon the cherubim. (1 Samuel 4:4, 2 Samuel 6:2, 22:11, 2 Kings 19:15, I Chronicles 13:6, 28:18, Psalm 18:10; 80:1, 99:1, Isaiah 37:16)

As to the reason these two cherubim are placed at the entrance of the garden, the reason is stated by God Himself in verse 24: so that they would not live forever with the knowledge of good and evil. Cherubic guards were posted so that man would not eat of that Tree of Life in their fallen condition. It was not a punishment, it was a protection.

But the Tree of Life is what redeemed man will eat of for eternity…redeemed man being those who choose the redemption that Jesus Christ provided to them by His death and resurrection.