Creation
Today we see humanity’s response to God. Though only one simple rule was given, Adam and Eve could not obey. No matter how completely God supplied for their every need, they wanted the one thing they couldn’t have. This event is what introduced Adam, Eve, and all of humanity to sin. Conflict arose between humanity and God, between each other, and between them and creation. All of these are issues we still struggle with today. God’s response recognizes the danger of what humanity has done and the necessity of subjecting humanity to frustration and death so that evil does not grow unchecked. Even in the midst of humanity’s failure, God gives a ray of hope. In verse 15 we are told, “He will strike your head.” In Revelation 20:2, we are told that the serpent was Satan, and this is a promise that Satan will one day be defeated by someone who will be born of a woman – that’s Jesus! Paul makes reference to this in Galatians 4:4-5 when he says, “God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law.” Today’s chapter presents a frequent theme of the Bible; God’s generosity rejected by humanity and God responding with more generosity.
We can still create conflict between ourselves and God and between ourselves and others when we reject God’s generosity. I’m thankful that God loves me despite my failings!