Scripture to Read: Genesis 3:14-16
We see today in Genesis 3:14-15 that God NEVER asks the serpent what He did. The serpent was not given the opportunity to confess and repent because he had already sealed his fate when he rebelled against God. So, God delivers judgment/punishment to the serpent first. The GOOD NEWS is that the story of redemption is first revealed in Genesis 3:15. God says to the serpent, “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.” God reveals that when Christ is crucified on the cross, the serpent will “bruise His heel.” But then God also reveals that when Christ defeats sin and death, He will “crush Satan’s head.” Of course, we don’t know this truth just from one verse; that is why we must always examine the whole counsel of God. After God finishes with the serpent, He tells Adam and his wife the consequences of their sin. We must never forget that we have the freedom to choose what we like, BUT we do NOT have the power to choose the consequences of those choices. God ALWAYS has the final Word. In Genesis 3:16, we see the result of the woman’s sin. God’s judgment makes it much harder for Adam’s wife and every other wife to submit to God’s foundation of male headship in the home. The woman would also have pain in childbirth and carry the pain of releasing her children out from under her care one day.
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you about the consequences of sin?
2. How will you share what God has taught you with others this week?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!