Understanding Genesis #8: Seed of the Serpent v Seed of the Woman

In this episode, Rob leads a study of Gen 3 and the judgment on the Serpent, the woman, and the man. Rob notes that as a consequence of their sin Adam and Eve will not rule as one but will each try to usurp authority over the other. Genesis, of course, is not prescribing that the man should be in authority over the woman but is describing the way it is going to be. The study finishes by looking at the NT where Jesus says that we have authority to trample on serpents (Luke 10) and where Paul says that the crushing of the serpent's head happens under the feet of the Church (Rom 16). 

 

Here are some links to Rob's blog posts on women in the Church 

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/determinetruth/2021/05/does-genesis-teach-the-subordination-of-women-gen-218-25-316-women-injustice5-justice16/

 

Gen 3:11-13

1. God asks of Adam: Who told you that you were naked? (11):
2. Woman, whom you gave me, she gave me the fruit (12)
3. God asks of Eve (13): What is this that you have done? (13)
4. The Serpent deceived me

 

3:14-19 Judgment on the Serpent, the Woman, the Man

God’s words are more __________________ than ______________________

• This is the way it is going to be: it is not a punishment but a declaration of fact

Focus now is on the ________________ of the woman vs the ______________ of the serpent

God does not curse Adam and Eve: God curses ________________________ and ____________________

1. Serpent: Eat dust; in accord with his sin of forcing them to eat (14; Ezek 28:17; Is 14:11-12, 15)

1. Enmity between serpent and the woman (15): the ‘Protoevangelium’: the first announcement of future redemption
2. Enmity between your seed and her seed
   1. ‘Seed’ most often refers to an immediate descendant (Gen 4:25: Seth)
   2. ‘Seed’ can refer to a distant offspring or even a group of descendants (as a collective)
3. He will bruise your head; you bruise his heal

1. To the woman (16)

1. “I will multiply” your pain: in childrearing/child conceiving
   1. Word here refers to ­_______________________: the circumstances in which children are conceived will be fraught with painful and complicated relationships that cause emotional and physical toil
2. 3:16: ‘Your desire will be for your husband . . .’: (Heb teshuqah appears only in 4:7 and Song of Sol 7:10)
3. He shall ‘rule’ over you: He will rule as a tyrant (See NLT)

1. To the Man (17)

1. Cursed is the ground: in toil you shall eat of it

 

3:20-21

1. Adam names “Eve” (20)
2. God makes clothes for them (21)

 

3:22-24 Expulsion from the Garden

1. God says: ‘Man has become like one of us’ (22)
2. Expelled (driven out) from the garden (23)

1. Salah: Language of exile and being driven out like Canaanites: cp Exod 33:1-3; Lev 18:24; 20:23
2. Garas: (24): same word for expulsion of Canaanites (Ex 23:28-31; 33:2; Deut 33:27; Josh 24:12, 18; Judg 2:3; 1 Chr 17:21; Ps 78:55; 80:8)

1. East of the garden Cherubim are placed (24)

1. Cherubim guard the presence of God: embroidered on the curtains of the temple (Exod 26:1; 36:8; 26:31-33; 1 Kings 6:32)
   1. 2 Cherubim have outstretched wings to cover and protect the Ark! (Exod 26:18-22; 37:7-9; Num 7:89; 1Kings 6:23-28)
2. Samar: to guard or keep watch: the very thing Adam was to do (cf Gen 2:15)

 

Gen 3 and the rest of Scripture

Entrance into the Garden!

1. Jesus: “I am the door” (John 10:7); “an open door” (Rev 3:8; 4:1)
2. Rev 22:14: enter by gates into the city

 

Enmity between the woman and the serpent

1. Authority to tread on serpents (Luke 10:17-20)

1. Paul identifies Satan with the Serpent; Agent of destruction is the Church (Rom 16:20)
2. Satan is the ancient serpent (Rev 12:1-17)
3. Seed is Christ (Gal 3:16)
4. Christ must reign until all His enemies under His feet (1 Cor 15:25)

1. destroy the work of the Devil (1 John 3:8-12)

 

Conflict between male and female

1. Reversed (Col 3:18-19)

 

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