The Serpent,

A foreshadowing of Messiah

 

The Old Testament begins its human testimony through the fall of mankind.

This reveals the Nature of man’s chosen relationship with God ever since.

Although the rebellion of God of man to God’s commandments created a deep riff in his relationship to God, got himself provided a prophetic solution to the problems of man soon at the very time he brought judgment upon all mankind.

 

Please note: there will be unavoidable crossover information between the serpent post and the seed post articles. Thankfully repetition is the mother of education and memory. So even though there is review in this information, some of it is new and from a new perspective. All of that which is helpful to see the revelation of the Messiah hidden in the Scriptures of the Old Testament. Their scriptures are just waiting to be discovered in to the one Siki to find the Messiah,

 

In one way, we can see this study as a treasure hunt, the keep revealing the treasures in God’s word, each one revealing a pearl, a gem, a diamond, a Ruby, as well as gold and silver, for those who are willing to mine the field and gain the reward.

 

 

 

How does the conflict with the serpent (in Genesis 3):

Create a foreshadowing picture of the coming Messiah?

 

In Genesis 3, the conflict with the serpent marks a pivotal moment in biblical theology and serves as an early foreshadowing of the coming Messiah. This occurs after Adam and Eve’s disobedience in the Garden of Eden, when God pronounces a series of consequences for the serpent, Eve, and Adam. The key passage that foreshadows the Messiah is found in Genesis 3:15, often referred to as the Protoevangelium (meaning “First Gospel”).

The verse reads:

“I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” (Genesis 3:15, NIV)

This verse is significant because it contains several prophetic elements that point toward the future coming of Christ, the Messiah. Here’s how the conflict with the serpent in Genesis 3 foreshadows the coming of Jesus:

1. Enmity Between the Serpent and the Woman

• God declares that there will be enmity (hostility or conflict) between the serpent and the woman. While this has an immediate reference to the tension between Satan (the serpent) and humanity (represented by Eve), it also symbolizes the broader spiritual struggle between Satan and humanity throughout history.
• This ongoing battle is eventually overcome by the “offspring” of the woman, pointing to the coming of Jesus, who would be born of a woman (Mary), and who would defeat Satan.

2. The “Offspring” of the Woman

• The phrase “offspring of the woman” refers to a descendant who will emerge from Eve’s lineage. This is significant because the Messiah, Jesus, would be born of a woman, fulfilling the prophecy of Genesis 3:15.
• The fact that the text specifically mentions the “offspring” of the woman, rather than of a man and woman (which would have been the typical phrase in Hebrew), highlights the unique, miraculous nature of Jesus’ birth—His conception by the Holy Spirit and His virgin birth through Mary.

3. The Serpent’s Head Will Be Crushed

• The verse prophesies that the serpent’s head will be crushed by the woman’s offspring. This suggests a decisive victory over evil, a defeat of Satan. The head symbolizes authority and power, so crushing it represents a total victory.
• Jesus’ death and resurrection ultimately fulfill this prophecy. Through His death on the cross, He triumphed over Satan, sin, and death, as described in passages like Colossians 2:15, where Paul writes that Jesus “disarmed the powers and authorities” and “made a public spectacle of them” by triumphing over them on the cross.
• The final and complete crushing of Satan will occur in the future, as seen in Revelation 20:10, when Satan will be thrown into the lake of fire.

4. The Serpent Will Strike His Heel

• This part of the prophecy indicates that, although the offspring of the woman will crush the serpent’s head, there will be a wound inflicted in the process. The “striking of the heel” refers to the suffering and death that the Messiah (Jesus) would endure. While it would not be a fatal blow to the Messiah (since He would rise again), it would be a painful wound.
• This strike is often interpreted as a reference to the crucifixion of Jesus. Satan, through the powers of sin and death, would cause Jesus to suffer, but it would ultimately not be a permanent defeat. Jesus’ resurrection would signify His ultimate victory over Satan.

5. The Ultimate Victory of the Messiah

• Though this passage in Genesis 3:15 initially speaks of a battle between the serpent and the woman, it is, in essence, a promise of redemption. The victory of the “offspring” of the woman over the serpent foreshadows the coming Messiah who would not only redeem humanity from sin but also defeat the evil one (Satan).
• The cross, where Jesus was “struck” (in His crucifixion), becomes the means by which He triumphs over evil. The resurrection is the ultimate proof that Jesus has crushed the serpent’s head, sealing his defeat.

Conclusion

In summary, the conflict with the serpent in Genesis 3:15 serves as a powerful foreshadowing of the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ. It predicts:

• The spiritual conflict between humanity and Satan,
• The unique birth of the Messiah from a woman (Mary),
• The suffering that the Messiah would endure (His “heel being struck”),
• The ultimate victory of the Messiah over Satan (His “head being crushed”).

This early promise of a Savior sets the stage for the redemptive work that Jesus would accomplish through His life, death, and resurrection, marking the beginning of God’s plan for salvation.

 

 

 

The serpents threat versus the saviors voice leading to God’s salvation: