Sunday, March 11

Genesis 3:15

Prophecy given: I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.

Devotional:

God gives us good words. He gives us His Word. In the beginning, He created everything very good. But then Genesis 3:6 happened. The woman and the man ate forbidden fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Instantaneously, the entire creation was infected and affected by sin (Romans 5:12). Things would never be the same. Paradise had been lost. Mankind would never again be at perfect peace with God as He walked in their presence in the cool of the day (Genesis 3:8). The consequences of sin were (and still are) devastating. Guilt. Shame. Judgment. Sickness. Pain. Struggle. War. Death. Friendships and marriages–even relationships between God and people–destroyed.

Yet, the love of God remains (1 Corinthians 13:13). And His mercy triumphs over judgement (James 2:13). God will not be denied in bringing glory to His name. In this, God determined long ago to make a promise; indeed, a prophecy. This promise is found in God’s words to Satan in Genesis 3:15–“I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” This verse is recognized as the first proclamation of the gospel in all of Scripture and is thereby known as the Protoevangelion.

To the serpent, those words were a curse. To us, God’s words in Genesis 3:15 are good news. God will send a Rescuer! All throughout ancient history, people anticipated the arrival of God’s chosen one. People looked forward to permanent forgiveness of sins and restoration of relationship with God to be close to Him once again.

-Pastor Bill

Action:

Simply thank God for being a keeper of His promises. Ask God to grow your trust in Him.