Genesis 3:24 reads “So he [the Lord God] drove out the man; and he [the Lord God] 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.” God had to drive man out which implies that man did not want to go on his own. Furthermore, God had to place Cherubims and a flaming sword to prevent man from re-entering into the garden of Eden.

Why would the Lord God drive out the man? After all God is merciful, isn’t he? Absolutely, his mercies are new every morning and great is his faithfulness and because his compassions fail not, sinful man is not consumed (Lamentations 3:22-23), but while the Lord God is merciful, he is also the just God. He cannot condone sin for he is a Holy God and in him there can exist no darkness [unrighteousness] (1 John 1:5). It was the man’s (and woman’s) sin (unrighteousness) that had them driven from God, by God, because he is Holy and expects us to be holy as well (1 Peter 1:16).

Points to ponder:
It is not God who wants to drive us away from his presence, but it is our sins that warrant him to drive us from his presence. Do you feel driven from God, by God?

Genesis 3:24 (KJV)
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.

Lamentations 3:21-23 (KJV)
21 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.
22 It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

1 Peter 1:15-16 (KJV)
15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.