“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)
When God created man, He created him with the ability to choose. He was placed in the garden, a perfect replica of God’s perfect creation, but disobedience entered the heart of man to sin against God’s specific command not to eat the fruit of the Tree of Life. Eating the forbidden fruit, however, was just the physical act being commissioned after a heart decision since many of the choices we make are usually already made in our thoughts prior. God, in His infinite love and grace toward man, however, had a plan of redemption for man’s disobedience. One to bring man back to perfect communion with Him.
Thus, the aspects of redemption in Genesis 3:
- The Promise of Redemption – After Adam and Eve sinned, God pronounced the consequences of their actions, but He also provided a glimmer of hope and promise of redemption (Genesis 3:15). This verse is commonly known as the Protoevangelium, meaning the first proclamation of the Gospel. It is a foreshadowing of the ultimate redemption that would come through a future offspring of the woman, who would defeat Satan (crush his head) despite suffering (the striking of his heel). The promise of redemption here points forward to Jesus Christ, Who, through His sacrificial death and resurrection, ultimately triumphed over sin, satan, and death, bringing redemption to humanity.
- The Foreshadowing of Atonement – After Adam and Eve sinned, they tried to cover their shame and nakedness by sewing fig leaves together to cover themselves (Verse 7). However, in Genesis 3:21, God provided clothing made of animal skins for them. This act symbolises the first sacrifice in the Bible and serves as a foreshadowing of the concept of atonement. The shedding of blood from the animals to provide clothing (covering) represents the idea that sin requires payment or atonement through the shedding of blood. This sacrificial system was eventually given to Israel under the Mosaic Law, which in turn, also pointed forward to the ultimate atonement made by Jesus Christ through His death on the cross.
Genesis 3, therefore, lays the foundation of the need for redemption due to the fall of humanity. The promise of a future Redeemer and the foreshadowing of atonement through sacrifice highlight the theme of God’s plan to redeem and reconcile mankind to Himself through Jesus Christ. Thank You, Jesus!
Prayer
Father, thank You for the promise to all men that there is a provision for redemption. Thank You for Your forgiveness and grace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Read: Exodus 22:20; Romans 3:25
Bible Reading Guide: Proverbs 19:3-12; I Corinthians 1:1-17; I Chronicles 16:37-43; I Chronicles 17; I Chronicles 18
