Genesis 3:21-24 KJV 21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them. 22 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: 23 Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. 24 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.

Cherubims, or angels guards the tree of life. Only one sword turns back and forth keeps the way of the tree of life. Often angels or ministers are thought to be protectors of the word/words of God.Yet there is one more protector that is the Holy Spirit that goes forth in the land, but is also seen as flame of fire. God did not send Adam and Eve naked or without weather protection into the world. The coats made of skin would of been water repellent as well as warm. One might wonder if it was cool because of the clothing provided, I have no clue, but it was for protection. To eat of the tree of life would of meant they would of been equal to God. God is speaking to himself, to his Son and to the Holy Spirit that is who us is. Man had knowledge of good and evil, but to give them eternal life at this point man was not ready. God did not cast man out to take away the tree but to protect it, One can not earn the right to the tree of life, but it is a gift from God. The tree of life is not something we can take for ourselves before God gaves it. It must be guarded. Adam and Eve had already turn away from the tree of life upon obedience to the serpent in the garden. The prophet Jeremiah in the continual scripture study below prophesied/preached about the problems Israel had concerning idols. The fact upon realizing the idols could not help they would then turn to the salvation of God. God is not please by our need to turn to other idols that can not help. If you ever have known someone to be diagnoised by a doctor of a disease that can not be cured by the doctor? If the person was diagnoised with diabetes did you pray? Or did you search for answer on the internet for a solution or the latest medical resources at the library or bookstore? All these things are good in the right prespective. Was there anything wrong with Eve talking to the serpent? The problem came when she took the serpents advice. Nothing wrong with looking up things online, but if one uses that has the only source for the cure it could be very dangerous and for some, they might even find a solution, but the first solution is prayer, second solution is seeking good medical advice and waiting until healing comes. There is point the tree of life was available to Adam and Eve before they left the garden now it was no longer available beyond what God conveyed to them. God would build a relationship with people and give them eternal life. He give them eternal life through belief, yet with belief came a responsibility of obedience. A doctor knowledge of medicine might prolong your life, but it not the cure necessarily. The cure will come by the Word of God. Through the touch of the hem of the garment of Christ, through eternity with Christ. Yes there medicine that is improving the results of diabetes and for some it is a cure. But I am talking about the eternal cure, the everlasting cure. As long as our bodies are in this world we will get sick again. And those that say they never been sick a day in their life, I sure you had at the minimum a common cold, or cough. What the point is the serpent the doctor, not necessarily, the internet and other sources might be the serpent though. The healing for Israel could not come through false gods or goddess. Healing for Israel had to come through worship and obedience to God. When working for God the path is narrow and straight. Yet it is a road of hope through God's grace. It does not mean there are not serpents along the way to try and deceive you in the direction to go. God's protection is not about removing the element, but the provision going through the storm. Adam and Eve were being placed in the elements to learn to trust in God's provision. The fur coat was provision from the elements, but not everlasting provision. Some of God's provision or salvation is only temporary in life, but God's provision for eternity is eternal everylasting hope, the hope that is guarded for eternity and protected by the Holy Spirit of promise. It is protected because some would take the fruit from the tree of life only to use it for evil. Only to use eternal life for evil would be the devil, his torment will be for eternity. Israel during time of exile, knew the reality of the living God for they were experiencing it first hand if they followed in the ways of God, those that knew not God were facing much hardship. If you want God's protection you need him more then just in the storm in life. Eve knew that the serpent had lied to her, because she seen her nakeness. Yet with her confession also came finger pointing. Yet her finger pointing did not stop God's provision. She knew for herself God's word was true. When one believes God's word is true and does not have to find out the hard way God's word is true, then the one protection is God's word. Israel need God's protection continually not just one time obedience. Adam and Eve would need to learn obedience to God with the knowledge they had of good and evil. David would learn from his disobedience to God's ways the consequences of sin and correction. Israel would return home when the Lord opened those doors, but Israel at the time of Jeremiah was still seeking idols and not always God. Jeremiah knew the advantage of obeying God despite he landed in the sewer, before final rescue. Jermiah was standing in someone else sewer and then his own. His situation not because of his unbelief but because of his brethern unbelief. If you are in someone else mess, are you still trusting God. Are you outside the gate wonder if you can get eternal life by going past the flaming sword. You can not steal what is guarded, only take what unprotected. Are you standing in the world because of Adam and Eve's sin. The point is we are, but we do have to stand where we are because of Adam and Eve, but we do not have to allow the serpent to steal our faith, and our trust in the Lord. The serpent was kicked out of Eden too. His eternal punishment is hell. Our choice is based on belief in Christ this morning and whether we follows after Christ. We still in the sewer, like Jeremiah, but we do not have to remain for eternity. You choose the devil you are remaining in the consequence of the devil's sin for eternity. Dear Heavenly Help us to believe your word and receive the precious gift of eternity through your Son Jesus. Let us have the hope of one day no longer standing in the sin of someone else and our own. In Jesus precious name, Amen. Continual Scripture Study for Devotion:Jeremiah 2:27-31 KJV 27 Saying to a stock, Thou art my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth: for they have turned their back unto me, and not their face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us. 28 But where are thy gods that thou hast made thee? let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble: for according to the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah. 29 Wherefore will ye plead with me? ye all have transgressed against me, saith the LORD. 30 In vain have I smitten your children; they received no correction: your own sword hath devoured your prophets, like a destroying lion. 31 O generation, see ye the word of the LORD. Have I been a wilderness unto Israel? a land of darkness? wherefore say my people, We are lords; we will come no more unto thee? http://www.turtle30cshell.com