Genesis 3:8-19

Genesis 3:8-19
Genesis 3 is an important chapter because it records the introduction of sin into the world, and for the first time man's natural fellowship with God is broken. After they had sinned, their eyes were indeed opened as God had predicted, and they were aware of their sin, and they were ashamed.

We see the blame game begin. Adam blamed Eve, and Eve blamed the serpent. In reality they were all guilty! This reaction to our sin continues to this day. It's very hard for us to admit that we deliberately sinned against God. We may think or say something like, "I know I was wrong, but..." No "buts" about it; we are sinners by nature. vv. 8-13.

At this point we see that all of nature was cursed because of the entrance of sin into the world. The serpent was humiliated and is hated and feared to this day. The ground was cursed so as to make it difficult to till and to make a living. Weeds, thorns, and thistles would plague every generation. We can produce food to eat from the ground, but it's hard work!

Because of sin, women would experience pain in childbirth, and their husbands would exercise authority over them. "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." v. 16

Man would find work to be backbreaking, and his days on this earth would be numbered. "By the sweat of your brow will you have food to eat until you return to the ground from which you were made. For you were made from dust, and to dust you will return." v. 19

Verse 15 is a key verse because it gives hope in pretty dark story! "And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel." This is actually the first reference in the Bible to Jesus! God was offering a solution to the sin problem. God is saying that the descendants of Satan would be in conflict with the offspring of the woman (Jesus). Satan would strike Jesus heel, but Jesus would strike Satan's head. In other words Satan will never defeat Jesus, but Jesus will ultimately defeat Satan!