Intro:
1. There is a flower called the corpse flower [ti-tan a-rum]. It can grow up to 10 feet tall. It has bright red blooms that look like rotten meat. It attracts flies and carion beetles.
Matthew Opel, from the University of Connecticut said:
"The corpse flower looks like something has died. It smells like something has died. Unlike other plants that offer nectar, there's no real reward here. They think they're going to get a meal because it smells like something dead."
2. Sin looks like the corpse flower, it seems attractive and advantages, it promises great good and rewards, but it brings nothing but death.
What a contrast with God's promise - the promise of ultimate defeat for Satan and Salvation for those who would receive the promise.
3. The Promise.
Trans: Gen. 3:15
I. FIRST, THERE WILL BE A BATTLE.
And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed - this is a declaration of war!
"I'm declaring war between you and the Woman, between your offspring and hers..." Genesis 3:15 (MSG)
A. First, we see the Master planner behind it all.
and I will put - notice God is always sovereignly behind the scene, it is His invisable Hand that is always working.
Today many think life is made up of chance, luck, accidents, and the like. A Wise, Sovereign, Loving, Powerful God is seen by only precious few.
The late Harry Fosdick, was the pastor of New York's Riverside Church. One evening a distraught young man burst into his study and said, "I have decided that I cannot and do not believe in God!"
Harry said, "Well tell me, what kind of God do you believer in?" The young man went into a long explaination of the kind of God he believed in.
Harry said, "Well were in the same boat - I don't believe in that God either!"
B. Furthermore, the Mandate.
And I will put hostility between you and the woman..." - The Hebrew word translated "hostility" is derived from the root ('ev, "to be hostile, to be an adversary [or enemy]"). The curse announces that there will be continuing hostility between the serpent and the woman. The serpent will now live in a "battle zone," as it were.
While Eve lost the first round against the Devil, God wants her and her descendants to view Satan as a foe. Satan is no friend but a persistent evil enemy who need to be constantly resisted.
Reports the Denver Post:
A sheep ranchers in the West, Lexy Lowler has tried just about everything to stop crafty coyotes from killing her sheep. She has used odor sprays, electric fences, and "scare-coyotes."
She has slept with her lambs during the summer and has placed battery-operated radios near them. She has corralled them at night, herded them at day. But the southern Montana rancher has lost scores of lambs—fifty last year alone.
Then she discovered the llama—the aggressive, funny-looking, afraid-of-nothing llama.... "Llamas don't appear to be afraid of anything," she said. "When they see something, they put their head up and walk straight toward it. That is aggressive behavior as far as the coyote is concerned, and they won't have anything to do with that.... Coyotes are opportunists, and llamas take that opportunity away."
We need to stand in Christ, fearless against Satan, he is an opportunist but we must stand against his having an opportunity. Just because Eve yield to temptation in the past, doesnt mean she has to yield to him in the future!
"26 "Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil." Ephesians 4:26-27 (NKJV)
C. Next, we need to look at the Mechanics of this verse.
First we need to try and identify the "you" - at first glance, since he is talking to this animal, the serpent - it would seem that he was talking to and about this physical serpent. But:
1. The word enmity - This feminine noun is derived from the verb which means "enmity" or "hatred." It occurs 5 times in the Hebrew Bible. In Gen. 3:15; and in Num. 35:21-22, the noun is used to refer to the hostility existing between two individuals (Num. 35:21-22).
Finally, in Ezek. 25:15; 35:5, the noun is used to refer to perpetual hatred that Israel's enemies display toward them.
In each of these instances, the word indicates a relational state which exists, not a brief rush of emotion.
Point it is always used of people, Leupold, "The object, "enmity" stand first for emphasis. Nofw enmity is a term not applicable to dumb beasts. Its scriptural use limits it, like its verb root, to enmity between persons or morally responsible agents."
2. Furthermore, it must go beyond this animal or Eve.
Notice the second half of verse 15 states that the "seed" of the woman ["he"] who will crush the head of the serpent ["your head"] so what happens to the serpent extended beyond this particular serpent in the Garden.
Thus the serpent is representive of someone or something else, and is represented by his "seed." When that "seed" is crushed, the head of the serpent is crushed.
Therefore, more is invovled in this passage than the reader is at first aware of. A program is set forth. A plot is established that will take the situation far beyond this physical serpent.
Only later does the Bible reveal that it is Satan who was working through the serpent (Rom.16:20/Rev.12:9).
So the "you" is referring to Satan and of course the woman is Eve, but it goes beyond them - they are representatives of coming descendants.
As he goes on to say, "Between your seed and her Seed;"
Leupold, "The promise expands. This enmity is to be of broader scope; it is to involve coming generations: between your seed [the devil's] and her seed [the womans]. There must be meant the children of the evil one who are of their father the devil and will do the lusts of their father (Jn..8:44).
The "seed" [zera] in the second half or parallel statement must be used collectively for the descendants of the woman. To take the word "seed of the woman" at this point in the sense of an individual, and so make it an exclusive referrence to Christ is grammatically impossible."
So you have at first (1) Satan verses the woman; then (2) you have the seed of Satan verse the seed of the woman;
But then we come to another surprise, the seed of the woman is then referred to by "he" which is a pronoun in the singular, which refers back to the seed, which was used collectively.
So we see the climax of the struggling is not between Satan's descendants and the descendants of the woman but between Satan and an individual. That individual is clearly Jesus Christ. He will crush [an utter defeat] Satan, even though He will suffer in the process [bruise his heel], speaking of the cross.
Trans:There will be a Battle between the children of Satan [every lost person] and the children of God [every saved person]:
"44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. 46 Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? 47 He who is of God hears God's words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God." John 8:44-47 (NKJV)
People are being used by Satan to deceive and bring harm to believers!
"18 "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 He who hates Me hates My Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father. 25 But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, 'They hated Me without a cause.' 26 "But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning." John 15:18-27
"1 "These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. 2 They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. 3 And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me." John 16:1-3 (NKJV)
Satan is behind all of this hatred!
"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV)
"7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world." 1 Peter 5:7-9 (NKJV)
In an article about the great white shark, which hunts off the coast of central California, writer Tom Cunneff says that "sharks return year after year to particular areas and they put a dedicated effort into a single attack. A shark stalks its prey at a favorite location by swimming three to ten feet off the bottom in shallow water (30 to 110 feet), waiting up to three weeks before darting to the surface for an attack. Cunneff described one such attack.
James Robinson, a sea-urchin diver, was killed by a great white off San Miguel Island, near Santa Barbara. Robinson, 42, was doing what he had done hundreds of times before—treading water as he took off his diving gear and placed it aboard his boat. In an instant, though, the activity turned from the familiar to the fatal as the shark shot up from the depths for a swift kill.
Two crew members stowing equipment on the boat whirled around when they heard Robinson scream. "A great white bit me," is all Robinson, his right leg nearly severed, could mutter once they pulled him onto the deck. He died a few hours later.
This world is like an Ocean and Satan and his demons are like sharks waiting for an opportunity to strike!
Satan is behind all kinds of deception!
"12 But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. 13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works." 2 Corinthians 11:12-15 (NKJV)
The Battle of An-tie-tam in 1862 lasted for 12 hours and ranks as the bloodiest day of the Civil War, with 10,000 Confederate casualties and even more on the Union side.
One historian wrote, "At last the sun went down and the battle ended, smoke heavy in the air, the twilight quivering with the anguished cries of thousands of wounded men."
Though militarily a draw, the mediocre Union General George McClellan was able to end the brilliant Robert E. Lee's thrust into Maryland, forcing him to retire across the Potomac.
How was this possible? Two Union soldiers had found a copy of Lee's battle plans and had delivered them to McClellan before the engagement.
We have been given a copy of Satan's battle plans in God's Word. We know his strategies—and with such knowledge, we can resist the enemy's advances.
II. NEXT, THEN WE HAVE A PROMISED BIRTH.
He - who is the seed of the woman individually. The "seed of the woman" is related to both individuals and an individual.
Example - "the servant of Yahweh" in Isaiah is used of Israel as a Nation; and the godly in Israel; and of the Messiah (Isa. 53:).
The "seed" can be used collectively and of an individual:
"And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and named him Seth, "For God has appointed another seed for me instead of Abel, whom Cain killed." Genesis 4:25 (NKJV) Used that way in 1 Sam.1:11/2 Sam. 7:12.
Some take the "her Seed" to be a veilded reference to the virgin birth?
It is true that in the Ancient Near East, people spoke of the seed of the man or the father. Descendants were always regarded as the sons or daughters of the father. Genealogies of the Bible were traced through the fathers.
"Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel." Isaiah 7:14
"21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins." 22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us." Matthew 1:21-23
The physician was going to operate on a very rich man who always wanted the best of everything. "I don't think there will be any problem," said the doctor, "This operation is routine. We can even use a local anesthetic."
"No," shouted the millionaire. "Don't use a local. Get something imported."
That's what Jesus is—"something imported"; or Someone imported.
"But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law," Galatians 4:4 (NKJV)
A FEW years ago a Christmas card was published, with the title, "If Christ had not come." The card represented a clergyman falling into a short sleep in his study on Christmas morning and dreaming of a world into which Jesus had never come.
In his dream he found himself looking through his home, but there were no little stockings in the chimney corner, no Christmas bells or wreaths of holly, and no Christ to comfort, gladden and save.
He walked out on the public street, but there was no church with its spire pointing to Heaven. He came back and sat down in his library, but every book about the Saviour had disappeared.
A ring at the door-bell, and a messenger asked him to visit a poor dying mother. He hastened with the weeping child and as he reached the home he sat down and said, "I have something here that will comfort you." He opened his Bible to look for a familiar promise, but it ended at Malachi, and there was no gospel and no promise of hope and salvation, and he could only bow his head and weep with her in bitter despair.
Two days afterward he stood beside her coffin and conducted the funeral service, but there was no message of consolation, no word of a glorious resurrection, no open Heaven, but only "dust to dust, ashes to ashes," and one long eternal farewell. He realized at length that "He had not come," and burst into tears and bitter weeping in his sorrowful dream.
Suddenly he woke with a start, and a great shout of joy and praise burst from his lips as he heard his choir singing in his church close by:
"O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
Come and behold Him, born the King of Angels,
O come let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord."
Let us be glad and rejoice today, because "He has come."
III. FINALLY, THE BRUISING.
A. A Fatal blow...a Head wound.
He shall bruise your head - this is a death blow! This is speaking about the cross where Satan was soundly defeated.
"And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen." Romans 16:20 (NKJV)
"14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage." Hebrews 2:14-15 (NKJV)
"He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil." 1 John 3:8 (NKJV)
In 1865, the Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery. It was a landmark decision. In 1870, the Fifteenth Amendment gave the right to vote and it was a landmark decision.
In 1954, there was a landmark Supreme Court decision. It was Brown v. the Topeka Board of Education, which ended segregation in public education.
In 1964, there was the Civil Rights Act, another landmark decision that gave equal opportunity to all.
Did these stop racism? Absolutely not, but since then, when a lawyer stands up in a courtroom, he can reference these land mark decisions.
Two thousand years ago there was another landmark decision. Jesus Christ hung on the cross between heaven and earth with all of hell watching, and He paid the price for your sin and my sin. That was a landmark decision.
When Satan comes up and tries to convince you that your needs will not be met, you can appeal to a landmark decision. Two thousand years ago there was a landmark decision that establishes that you are more than a conqueror through Him who loved you and gave Himself for you. That landmark decision from two thousand years ago can be used today!
John White, "God's answer to your guilty conscience is the death of His Son. Your answer to a guilty conscience is usually something you do, like confessing harder; praying more; reading your Bible; paying more than your tithe; and so on.
Do you not understand? The Father does not welcome you because you have been trying harder; or have made a thoroughgoing confession; or because you have been making spiritual strides recently.
He welcomes you because His Son died for you. Are we blasphemous enough to suppose that our dead works; our feeble efforts can add to the finished work of a dying Savior?
It is finished he cried - it is completed...done...forever ended! He crashed through the gates of hell, He set prisoners free, He abolished death and burst in new life from the tomb.
All to set you free from sin and open the way for you to run into the loving arms of God!"
B. A Painful blow...a Heel wound.
you shall bruise his heel - see the Movie the Passion of Christ and see that the cross was a place of extreme suffering.
Donald Grey Barnhouse traces the conflict like this:
"When the Lord Jesus Christ was born Satan's hatred came to white heat. We can see the hatred of Satan at every point in the earthly story of the life of our Lord...
Satan moved Herod to kill all of the babies from 2 years old and under according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. But God had arranged escape in advance, and had brought gifts of gold to the family of the young child so that a flight into Egypt was made possible.
As soon as our Lord was publicly manifested, Satan immediately confronted him and sought in the three temptations to turn him aside from the path laid down for him in the counsels with the Father.
It was Satan who stirred up the people of Nazareth to take Christ to the brow of the hill and thrust him to his death on the occasion of his first public sermon. "But he, passing through the midst of them, went his way."
Again and again Satan played the old plot with different scenes and characters. Sometimes they picked up stones to stone him; they sent officers to arrest him; their leaders attempted to incite the people against him.
Always he escaped unhurt. He was master of every situation. He said, "No man takes it [my life] from me; but I lay it down of myself (John 10:18).
When human allies failed, Satan moved directly to kill the Son of God. On one occasion the Lord's disciples were with him in a boat on the sea of Galilee. Suddenly a storm of such fury broke out that even these hardened mariners were chilled with fright. They rushed to the Lord as he lay asleep in the boat and roused him with their cry of anguish, as they deemed themselves on the point of death, "Master, save us; we perish!" Satan had raised that storm to kill the Lord Jesus,... we see the whole pattern of these attacks, and understand the force of the words addressed to the storm, "Peace, be still" (Mark 4:35-41). The verb in Greek means "to muzzle," and in ancient domestic life was sometimes addressed to a dog to silence him.
Finally, the prophecies were fulfilled and Satan bruised the heel of the Lord Jesus Christ and had his own head crushed in the bruising."
Con:
1. God did not have to give us such a wonderful Promise - but He did! The question is will we receive that promise or not?
2. C. S. Lewis, "When the author walks onto the stage, the play is over. God is going to invade, all right; but what is the good of saying you are on His side then, when you see the whole natural universe melting away like a dream and something else comes crashing in? This time it will be God without disguise; something so overwhelming that it will strike either irresistible love or irresistible horror into every creature. It will be too late then to choose your side. That will not be the time for choosing; It will be the time when we discover which side we really have chosen, whether we realized it before or not. Now, today, this moment, is our chance to choose the right side."
Johnny Palmer Jr
StrugglingThruScriptures.ning.com
