A Fresh Start Rooted in the Word
The powerful revelation in Genesis 3:15. As I began to prayerfully plan for 2025, seeking wellness, growth, and Spirit-led direction for my blog, I felt a strong prompting to read through the entire Bible with a new lens: to discover how every book points us to Jesus, and to better understand who I am in light of who God is.
So we begin in Genesis, where we encounter one of the Bible’s most foundational and hope-filled verses: Genesis 3:15. Though it comes in the wake of humanity’s fall, this single verse contains the very first whisper of the Gospel, the Protoevangelium, or “first gospel.”
“And 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.”
(Genesis 3:15, NIV)
At first glance, it may seem like a cryptic curse. But as we study it in the light of Scripture, we see that it’s a divine prophecy pointing directly to Jesus Christ.
Where the Gospel Story Begins
Before understanding the promise, we must grasp the context. Adam and Eve, created for perfect fellowship with God, disobeyed His command and ate from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Deceived by the serpent, later identified in Revelation 12:9 as Satan, they brought sin, shame, and death into the world.
God’s judgment falls on the serpent, and within this curse, He gives the first promise of hope: a coming Savior who will destroy the works of the enemy.
“I Will Put Enmity Between You and the Woman”– Genesis 3:15
In this part of the verse, God declares that there will be ongoing hostility between the serpent and the woman, and between their respective offspring. This isn’t just personal, it’s a spiritual conflict that plays out through all of history.
- The Serpent symbolizes Satan.
- The Woman represents Eve and, more broadly, humanity.
- The Enmity points to the spiritual war between good and evil, darkness and light.
But even here, hope is born. The reference to the offspring of the woman, the “seed”, is profound. It subtly points to a miraculous birth, one not dependent on the seed of man: a prophecy fulfilled in the virgin birth of Jesus Christ.
“He Will Crush Your Head, and You Will Strike His Heel”
This is the heart of the prophecy.
Crushing the Serpent’s Head
The crushing of the serpent’s head symbolizes total defeat. Christian tradition sees this “He” as Jesus Christ , the promised Messiah. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus Christ defeats Satan, sin, and death, fulfilling Genesis 3:15 and changing the course of history.
Striking His Heel
The serpent’s strike represents the suffering of Jesus on the cross. While the crucifixion was a painful blow, it was not a defeat. Jesus Christ rose again, proving that even Satan’s most brutal attack could not thwart God’s redemptive plan.
The First Gospel: God’s Plan from the Beginning– Genesis 3:15
Genesis 3:15 is often referred to as the Protoevangelium, the first mention of the Gospel in Scripture. From the very moment sin entered the world, God announced His plan to redeem it.
Jesus, born of Mary, fulfills this ancient promise:
- He lived a sinless life.
- He died a sacrificial death.
- He rose in victory.
“The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.”
(1 John 3:8, NIV)
His resurrection secured our eternal victory. And the serpent, though fierce, is already defeated.
The Ongoing Battle Between Light and Darkness
The spiritual battle continues even today. The enmity spoken of in Genesis 3:15 remains visible in our world and in our lives. Revelation 12 gives us a glimpse of this cosmic struggle, where Satan wages war against the people of God.
But we are not without hope. As Paul reminds us:
“The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.”
(Romans 16:20, NIV)
The Hope of Final Victory
Though Christ has already won, we look forward to the final fulfillment of His victory when He returns in glory:
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain…”
(Revelation 21:4, NIV)
In that day, the serpent’s head will be fully crushed. Sin and death will be no more. God’s people will live in eternal peace, forever in His presence.
The Gospel in Genesis 3:15 : A Message for Us Today
Genesis 3:15 is not merely a historical or theological reference, it’s a living promise. It shows us that God’s plan for salvation has always been in motion. From the very beginning, He intended to rescue us.
So as we reflect on this verse:
- Let it anchor you in the truth of God’s unchanging love.
- Let it remind you that Jesus is the fulfillment of every promise.
- Let it give you confidence that in Him, the battle is already won.
The serpent may strike, but Christ triumphs. And in Him, so do we.
Also Read : At Least 5 Things to Know About Jesus Christ
Jesus and the Fulfillment of the Passover Law in the Last supper
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