A First Prophecy

“I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will strike your head, and you will strike His heel.” (Genesis 3:15)

In early days of freshness trouble barged into earth’s peace as first Eve and then Adam succumbed to the temptation of pride. The temptation came from Satan in the form of a serpent, and for his actions God cursed the serpent, and, thus, Satan. This curse became the first prophecy, a prophecy of generational enmity that would culminate with the coming of God’s Son through a woman, when He would strike and crush Satan at the cross, though Satan would bruise His heel, again at the cross.

All this came to fruition at a place called “Calvary” or “Golgotha,” a hill just outside Jerusalem that resembles a skull, appropriate for the events that took place there daily. In this place, Jesus dealt a fatal blow to Satan, and Satan’s end was sealed by the resurrection of Jesus.

The event that ushered this prophecy into prominence was the birth of a baby, the seed of the woman, who was also God’s Son. Little did Mary realize the forces that had been unleashed as she looked down into His face. All she saw was a beautiful, peaceful, sleeping baby. She would one day look up into His face, only it would not be so peaceful and so beautiful then; it would be covered in blood and sweat and dirt. But, the peace, though not seen, would certainly be there, because He would establish peace and reconciliation between man and God.

Lord, Help us to remember throughout the day that You are at work in our world, continually carrying out Your word, and engaging our world in ways unseen. Help us never to think that you are not at work in our world. Amen.