The Pulpit Commentary — Genesis — Section 153

Thnt nil thia was comprehended with perfect fulness and clearness by the prrnloncrl pnir it would he foolish to nssert; but, in !l fnshion accommodate,\ to their simple intelligences, the germ of this doctrine was exhibited by the coats of skin with which they w~te arrnyed, nnd it is at lenat possible that they had a, deeper insight into tho significance of the Divine nction than we are always prepared to allow. 3. In the tench_ing of tho gospel scheme the providing of a sinner with such a covering as he require/J must ever be tlie work of God. Though not improbable that the coats of ekm were furnished by the hides of animals, now for the first time offered in sacrifice -by Divine appointment, the simple circumstance that they were God-provided, apart from any other. consideration, was sufficient to suggest the thought that only God could supply the covering which was needed for their sin. III. DISCIPLINE (vers. 22-24). Rightly interpreted, neither the language of Jehovah nor that of Moses warrants the idea that the expulsion was designed as a penal infliction; but rather as a measure mercifully intended and wisely adapted for the spiritual edification of the pardoned pair. Three elements were present in it that are seldom absent from the discipline of saints. 1. Removal of comforts. The initial act in the discipline of Adam and his wife was to eject them from the preci nets of Eden. And so oftentimee does God begin the work of sanctification in his people's hearts by the infliction of loss. In the case of Adam and his spouse there we?·e special reasons demanding theit removal from the garden, as, e. g., (1) its non-suita- bility as a home for them now that their pure natures were defiled by sin ; and (2) the danger of their continuing longer in the vicinity of the tree of life. And the same two reasons will frequently be found to explain God's dealings with his people when he inflicts upon them loss of creature comforts ; the non-suitability of those com- forts to their wants as spiritual beings; and the presence of some special danger in the things removed. 2. Increase of sorrow. Besides being ejected from the garden, the first pair were henceforth to be subjected to toil and trouble. Adam in tilling the ground, nnd Eve in bearing children. And this, too, was a part of God's educational process with our first parents ; as, indeed, the sufferings of this present life inflicted on his people generally are all commissioned on a like errand, viz., to bring forth within them the peaceable fruits of righteousness, and t0 make them partakers of his holiness. 3. Sentence of death. The words "~ hence he was taken" have an echo in them of "dust thou art," &c., and must have extinguished within the breasts of Adam and his wife all hope of returning to Eden on this side the grave; perhaps, too, would assist them in seeking for a better country, even an heavenly. To prevent saints from seeking Edens on the earth seems to be one of tJ-.e main deBign~ of death. IV. HOPE (ver. 24). Though excluded from the garden, man wa.~ not wilhout cheering ingredients of hope in his condition. 1. '/.'he Di1,-ine presence was still with him. 'fhe cherubim and flaming sword were symbols of the ineffable majesty of Jehovah, and tokens of his presence. And never since has the world been abandoned by the God of mercy and salvation. 2. Paradise was still reserved for him. The cherubim and flaming sword were appointed "to keep the way of the tree of life;" not simply to gunrd the entrance, but to protect the place. So is heann :i reserved inheritance (1 Pot. i. 4). 3. The prospect of readmission to the tree of lije was yet before him. As much as this wns implied in the jealous guarding of tho gate so long as Adam was defiled by sin. It could not fail to suggest the idea that when purified by life's discipline he would no longer be excluded (cf. Rev. xxii. 1-!). 4. T!te gate of lieaven was still near liim. He was still permitted to reside in the vicinity of Eden, and to commune with him who dwelt between the cherubim, though denied the privilege as yet of dwelling with him in the interior of his nbode. If debarred from the full inheritance, he had at least its earnest. And exactly this is the situation of suints on earth, who, unlike those within the veil, who see the Lord of the heavenly paradise face to £nee, can only communo with him, as it wero, nt the gate of his celestial palace. Learn-1. To believe God's promise of s11lv1ition. 2. To be grateful for God's gift of righteousness. 3. To submit with cheerfulness to God'~ patemnl discipline. 4 To live in hope of entering God's heann.  THE BOOK OF GENESIS. tou. m. 20-24.