The First Promise of Messiah

 

Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” 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.” To the woman he said, “I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be contrary to your husband, but he shall rule over you.” (Genesis 3:13-16 ESV).

 

Eve’s name is not mentioned in Matthew or Luke’s genealogy. But it’s important to include her as we reflect on God’s promise to bring the Savior. Having been tempted by the serpent (Satan), Eve disobeyed God, and so did Adam. Sin damaged Eve’s relationship to her husband and her childbearing. Yet there is hope. Genesis 3:15 includes what is often called the first gospel promise. God promised that one of Eve’s offspring would crush Satan and the power of sin in this world, and the offspring would be wounded in the process.

 

When Eve gave birth to her first son, she may have thought this child would be the promised victor over sin. She named him Cain, saying, “With the help of the Lord I have brought forth a man” (Genesis 4:1). But Cain was not the promised one. Cain only made things worse by murdering his brother (cf. Genesis 4:8).

 

Many generations later, another woman, Mary gave birth to a son, and he was named Jesus because he would “save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). He, the Son of God and Son of Man, came “to destroy the devil’s work” by dying on the cross to save us. While the war was won in the cross and resurrection, the final battle has yet to be fought. The outcome of the battle is just as sure as was the birth of the Savior. When Jesus comes again (cf. Revelation 20:11-21:8) He will finally strike the blow that will complete Satan’s rule forever. What a day that will be when the victory over sin will be complete. All of this was begun the day God confronted Adam and Eve over their sin; and, it was fulfilled in the birth of Jesus. That is the reason for celebration at Christmas. Rejoice!