Promise of a Satan Conqueror

God then promised that a special offspring of the woman would someday conquer Satan because of Satan's evil participation in Adam and the woman's disobedience.

But that day wasn’t over yet. God had a few words to say—in judgment. However, it wasn’t all bad news. In fact, some of it was good news, very good news.

God, the Judge, started by speaking to the snake. Now remember, the snake is possessed by Satan at this point. God said, “Because of your involvement in this, you are cursed more than all of the other animals, domestic and wild. You are cursed to slither around on your belly and eat dirt as long as you live.” Does that mean that snakes had legs and feet before this? I’m not sure, but it certainly is possible. The fact that all created beings were cursed at the same time to a somewhat lesser degree becomes clear further on in God’s Big Story.

As God continues, He seems to address a different audience; He seems to speak directly to Satan within the snake.

“I am declaring war between you and the woman, between your descendant and her descendant. He will stomp on your head, and you will bruise his heel.”

Wow! Until now, this had been a very bad day. Adam and the woman had learned that God’s warning about the consequences of disobedience had been accurate. Even though Satan had tried to convince the woman that God was keeping something from her, he (Satan) had been the liar and deceiver; God had been truthful. Now, revealing that He loves His people in spite of the bad things they do, God gives a promise of good news: a future descendant of the woman would strike the deathblow to Satan and his spiteful plans against God and humans.

Even though Adam and his wife may not have understood all of the ramifications of this good-news promise at this early stage, I’m sure they were somewhat encouraged. But the punishment wasn’t over yet. God, the Judge, had to deal with two more culprits. That would be less encouraging . . .