The First Gospel

Genesis 3:14-15

Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden. What a devastating moment that must have been, as they were removed from paradise into a world now infected by their sin. There had been pleasure and enjoyment in working this perfect garden; now Adam labored by the “sweat of [his] face.” God told Adam that he would work the ground until he returned to the ground, “for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return” (Gen. 3:19). As he cultivated the soil, Adam would be reminded that the penalty of his sin was death. 

Adam and Eve’s relationship changed. Where complete harmony had once existed, Eve’s desires were now contrary to Adam’s, and she resisted his leadership (Gen. 3:16). When God confronted Adam and Eve about their sin, Adam blamed Eve, and Eve blamed the snake. One can only imagine that this pattern continued. Yet the imperfect relationship still experienced moments of intimacy. As God had promised, Eve experienced pain she had never known before when she delivered her first child, a son named Cain.

Perhaps Adam and Eve could see the garden and spoke of reentering; however, God took measures to ensure that would never happen. He said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever…” (Gen. 3:22). Consider the tragedy of living forever in our current bodies, trapped in an aging, diseased bodysuit of flesh. Graciously, God protected Adam and Eve by placing an angel with “a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life” (3:24). 

We have considered the ramifications of Adam and Eve’s disobedience. Today, we’ll discuss the consequences God placed on the serpent. Let’s read the passage, then work through it. 

Genesis 3:14-15
The Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. 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.”

First, God pronounced judgment on the snake as an animal. We don’t know the snake’s posture when he approached Eve, but now, because he had been used as an instrument of Satan, he would crawl on his belly and eat the dust kicked up by other animals. Dust would not be his diet but a symbol of humiliation. There would be hostility between humanity and the snake. From his low position, he would be able to strike a person’s heel. From their high position, a person could crush a snake’s head. So, when you see a snake slithering on the ground, it is a reminder of God’s judgment on sin. 

We can’t miss that these verses go far beyond the judgment on a reptile. In the book of Revelation, the apostle John makes clear that the snake in the garden was the “ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world” (Rev. 12:9; see also 20:2). 

The Hebrew word “enmity” means “to be hostile” or “to be an adversary or enemy.”[1] There will now be spiritual warfare between Satan and his offspring (demons) and the woman and her offspring (humanity). Over the next few days, we will closely examine this constant spiritual battle. 

Theologian Sinclair Ferguson offers helpful commentary. He notes that part of these verses describes the ongoing conflict between the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness. Ferguson explains that the story of David and Goliath, for example, is not an isolated event but “part of this long history of the powers of darkness seeking to destroy the purposes of God, the kingdom of God, and the seed of the woman.”[2] This struggle remains evident throughout Scripture and today. 

But this passage is about more than the kingdoms of darkness and God. It is about a Person who will come to confront Satan. Satan will “bruise” his heel, causing significant pain. However, the woman’s offspring will bruise or crush Satan’s head, delivering a fatal blow. The woman’s offspring is referred to with the singular pronoun “he,” which I believe refers to Jesus.  

Many Christian theologians, beginning with Irenaeus (125-202 AD), understand this passage as the first proclamation of the gospel, or the protoevangelium. Satan would one day cause great pain to Jesus on the cross, but at the cross Jesus would crush Satan’s head. The apostle John wrote in his first letter, “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8b). First, Satan was defeated through Jesus’ death and resurrection (1 Cor. 15:55-57) and will be destroyed at the final judgment (Rev. 12:7-9; 20:7-10). 

There is one final key point to highlight from this passage. After God pronounced the consequences for Satan, Eve, and Adam, he did something remarkable. God had been clear that if Adam and Eve disobeyed, they would surely die (Gen. 2:17). Sin brought physical death, yet notice what God graciously did: “And the LORD God (Yahweh Elohim) made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them” (Gen. 3:21). Instead of immediate death, God provided animal substitutes for the first couple and used the skins to clothe them. The leaves Adam and Eve had sewn together as a covering were not sufficient; a life was required to pay for their sin. This sacrificial system would be essential for God’s people until Jesus crushed Satan’s head on the cross as the one-time-for-all-time sacrifice for our sin.  

Genesis 3:15 promises us a Savior who will demonstrate God’s amazing mercy and grace. 

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD 
Time in the Word: Read and reflect on Genesis 3:14-15.

Talking to God: Where do you see evidence of the spiritual conflict between God’s Kingdom and the kingdom of darkness in your own life or in the world today?

Have questions? Please send your questions to our team. We're happy to assist as we explore God's Word together. Submit your question below, and we'll respond soon. If you're interested in learning more about a relationship with Jesus or seeking spiritual guidance, let us help you take the next step.

SAVE THE DATE: Bible Immersion trip to Israel: November 4-14, 2026.