In pain, power struggles, and plowing the hard, hard ground … there is a promise
The father of lies slithered into the garden.
Crafty, but never creative he approaches the woman. With cunning and half-truths, the masquerading enemy
raises questions in the woman's mind and accuses God of lying.
"Did God actually say …"
"You will not surely die…"
"God knows …"
This one who came to steal, kill, and destroy urged the woman to exchange the truth of God for a lie.
She took the bait, bit the fruit, and shared with the man who was right there with her.
Indeed, their eyes were opened. With fig leaves veiling their nakedness, they crouched ashamed and fearful hiding among the trees.
As they heard the sound of God approaching,
their newfound wisdom ignited their blame game and perpetuated their attack of God's character
"The woman you gave me … she gave me the fruit."
"The serpent deceived me…"
God turns to the serpent, "Above all animals you are cursed. You shall crawl on your belly. You shall eat dust. You shall be hated."
But in the midst of it all comes a word of hope, a promise.
"The woman's child … he shall deal you, serpent, a deathblow. You will bruise his heel. A minor injury in the scheme of things. But he will bruise your head. He will deliver you a deathblow. "
The man hears this word and a glimmer of hope sparks in his heart. He hears his wife cursed with pain and power struggle. And his is cursed with blood sweat and tears, but still there is a promise.
His mind takes hold of the word of hope, the promise. A day would come, although it was a long way off when the serpent would be defeated. Utterly, completely defeated. A way would be made out of this wilderness. The price would be paid. A veil would be torn. And death would lose its sting.
In this hope, the man names his wife Eve, mother of all living. They would die, but they would not die. They would be separated, but not forever. Through her, this woman who did indeed bring death would come the seed that would bring life.
And just as one day blood would be spilled for your sin and mine, God spilled blood that day to cover their nakedness. And in grace, though it did not feel like it, he drove the man and woman from the tree of life, from the garden, and into the world of pain, and power struggles, and plowing the hard, hard ground.
In stormcloud presence and curses and shame … the gospel arises. A promise is given.
Today, consider the promise. Worship God who brings hope in the midst of the worst of situations. With pain swirling around, God gave a promise.