“The LORD God said to the serpent,
“Because you have done this,
cursed are you above all livestock
and above all beasts of the field;
on your belly you shall go,
and dust you shall eat
all the days of your life.
I will put enmity between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and her offspring;
he shall bruise your head,
and you shall bruise his heel.””
Humanity has fallen. Sin has entered the world. But God is still present, and God is still speaking! He addresses the three individuals involved in this cosmic incident, and he does it in this order: snake, Eve, and then Adam. So first, words are directed at the snake. But again, it is important to remember that God’s words, though directed at the snake, are meant for humanity.
Because you have done this does not exonerate Adam and Eve, but it does warn them to beware of false teaching. Who are you listening to?
Cursed are you above all livestock reveals that actions have consequences. All creation is under God’s command and decree. Both to stay within and to go against God’s command has consequence. Are you within the will of God or without, and what’s the consequence?
On your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat puts the snake in his place but is also a wise word to humanity. To operate in pride is to set ourselves up for a destructive fall. To operate in humility is to set ourselves up for preservation from God. Are you marked by pride or humility?
All the days of your life: God is not the God of a moment only but of all time and all things. Have you acknowledged God’s control, or are you still striving for control?
I will put enmity between you and the woman. Those diametrically opposed to God will be diametrically opposed to God’s people. Which “camp” do your actions and heart put you in?
He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel. The snake will be crushed by a “he” we now know to be Jesus. Though Jesus’ “heel” will be bruised—experiencing death on the cross—bruises heal, and resurrection from the grave happens on the third day. Dear Christian, do you believe in the Good News of Jesus Christ? If so, even when all seems lost, there is hope.
“For his anger is but for a moment,
and his favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may tarry for the night,
but joy comes with the morning.”