His Head Will be Crushed
Request: Lord, open my eyes as I read your word, my ears to hear, my mind to understand and my heart to be filled with your love. Amen.
Read Genesis 3
Record your favorite verse and comment if you want to share.
Respond with a prayer to God
The third chapter in Genesis is the account of original sin. It tells the consequences that result from disobedience to God’s word. Adam and Eve not only felt guilt and shame, but judgment, curses and hopelessness abounded. This is devastating, and they were helpless to do a thing about it. They made a weak attempt to cover themselves with fig leaves to hide their nakedness, which was not much help at all. When they heard God coming, they were afraid and hid from Him.
Instead of scolding and berating them, God came gently and lovingly, asking questions He already knew the answers to. He pronounced the judgment of death, just as He had warned them would happen if they disobeyed His commandment. He then took action to help them immediately. An innocent animal was killed in order to cover them in much better clothing that would last far longer than fig leaves. They were then banished from the garden. Keeping them out of Eden was an act of mercy, so they could not “reach out,” take and eat from the tree of life (vs. 22). Had they been able to eat from it in the cursed state they were in, they would have lived in their sinful state, unable to be redeemed. God blocked the way back with a cherubim who yielded a flaming, whirling sword. This description isn’t what we normally think of when we picture this angel, is it?
Tucked in the hopelessness described in this chapter, God gives them a promissory note (vs. 15) full of tremendous hope. He addressed the serpent by telling it that although he would attack and strike His heel, his own head would be crushed. We know this has been accomplished by Jesus and we believe by faith. Adam, Eve, and everyone who lived until Christ’s death and resurrection, believed by faith that a Savior they called the Messiah, would come. Faith is, and always has been, belief and certainty of what cannot be seen, based on the promises of God, recorded for us in His Holy Word. “But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.” Hebrews 10:38
We live by faith in the death of Jesus as payment for our sins. Because He overcame death by rising again to life, we, also, as His followers, will do likewise. We look forward, with tremendous hope and faith, and believe that Jesus is coming back again, just as He promised. Even though we die, we will live again and will be with Him forever!
My verse: Genesis 3:1, “Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?”
When God speaks, how often do I question Him? More often than I care to admit. Does He really mean it when He says, “Vengeance is mine,” “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” “Guard your tongue,” etc., etc., etc. Yes, He does!
My Response: Oh Lord, I have no power on my own to obey your word. Forgive me for the sin of thinking some of your commands are not as important to obey than others. Help me to stay in step with Your Spirit and fill me up.
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“And the Lord God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife.” Vs 21.
Even though man sinned and deserved immediate death, You still provided for them and protected them. And in that provision and protection was an innocent sacrifice. Thousands of years later there would be one more innocent sacrifice to provide and protect ME. Thank You, Jesus.
Yes. What a God we serve. They disobeyed and still he clothed them … and I love the tie in with innocent sacrifice of animals and then the ultimate of Jesus Himself.
I chose Gen 3:16. “Then he said to the woman, ‘I will sharpen the pain of your pregnancy, and in pain you will give birth. And you will desire to control your husband, but he will rule over you.”
And here’s my reflection: Ouch. Lord, I do try to control my husband WAY too often. Why do I think my ways are always right? You tell me in Ephesians to honor and respect him, bringing him blessing and not always being critical. And yes, Ray can be just as sinful, wanting to “rule” over me and not live sacrificially for me, wanting to lay down his life for me and cherish me as his own body. Your kind of love – agape love – a love that sacrifices is so much better than our sinful ways. Thank you for Christ IN us, Lord, for that helps us live so much more like You! But oh, this passage reminded me of how I have that tendency to want to treat Ray like one of my own kids and “control” … forgive me, and help me to grow more Christ-like! And thank You for JESUS – promised way back in Genesis. Oh how we need His salvation and life-giving Spirit within us!