Like many of you, there are people I love who have faced the wrath of Harvey in Texas and Irma in Florida.
In communicating with them, I heard repeatedly
that their trust was in God,
for He is “The Lord of the Storm.”
Indeed, Scripture clearly reveals He brings both disaster and rescue
for His own good purposes.
One way we have evidence of God’s sovereignty is that the whole Bible hangs together. In fact you can see the gospel truths revealed over and over again by the true stories in Genesis.
Again and again we see this pattern.
In fact, we see it in both the story of Adam and Noah, the bookends of this genealogy of Genesis 5. So this week we will look at Adam, and at the “first gospel,” known as the proto-evangelium.
Then next week we will look at Noah, who repeats the same gospel truth of God appointing trouble and promising a rescue. His name clearly means rest or comfort or relief. These are truths clearly revealed and confirmed in the New Testament. I
Sunday:
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
2. If you or someone you love was involved in either of these hurricanes and has a God sighting, we’d love to hear it! (Sometimes He holds the storm, and sometimes He holds His child in the storm.)
Monday-Thursday: Seeing the Gospel in the “Proto-evangelium” (I’ll divide this into four days)
Monday’s homework:
While I wouldn’t say the truths in this proto-evangelium are terribly clear, they can be clarified through the New Testament. And indeed, they put me in awe of a God who knows exactly what He is doing and planned to rescue us even before the foundation of the world.
We have two Muslim women who have been attending our church, The Orchard, all summer. One night in my small group this dialogue happened between the woman I will just call “S” and a godly man in The Orchard who has begun visiting named Warren.
S. “I don’t think it is fair that in your religion you have to suffer for the sin of Adam and Eve.
Warren. “S, I don’t like it either.”
S. nods, pleased that she has been heard and understood.
Warren: “But here is what I see in my own heart. I would have done the same thing, because I am constantly straying from the God I love. So the judgment is fair. But S, there is also a rescue promised.”
3. Following the disobedience of Adam and Eve, God pronounced judgment, and in the midst of that, we find “the first gospel,” or the “proto-evangelium.” Read Genesis 3:15.
A. In Genesis 3:15a, there is a literal snake, and then, the one to whom the snake points. First, looking at the literal snake, who must have been upright in the garden, what is his fate?
B. This snake points to another “serpent.” Find who he is in Revelation 20:2.
C. There are two families that begin here – can you see them in Genesis 3:15b?
D. This can be clarified in the New Testament. See them in 1 John 3:10. What are the two families?
E. Last week I asked why the family of Abel could not die out — does this help answer that? If so, explain.
Tuesday’s homework.
When our son J. R. was just four, we had new neighbors over for dinner. Right after Steve gave thanks for the meal, J. R. piped up with an awkward question for our guests that made me panic and pray.
J. R. “Do you guys love Jesus?”
Pregnant pause
J. R. “Oh, oh. Do you love the devil?”
Nervous laughter.
New neighbor Dean: “Well, J. R., are those my only choices?”
More nervous laughter.
I don’t remember how we got out of that one, but I remember thinking: Yes, those are your only choices.
There are two spiritual “seeds” or lines that began with the children of Adam and Eve, and have continued ever since. You see them in Scripture and in our own world. Each of us belongs to one of these lines. Cain and Abel were the first sons of Adam and Eve, and Cain murdered his brother, Abel. 1 John 3:11 tells us that Cain “was of the evil one,” so he bore the seed of Satan. Jesus calls Abel a prophet[1] so Abel bore the seed of Christ, and the Lord said that Abel’s blood cried out from the ground for justice,[2] just as “a blood greater than Abel”[3] that of Jesus Himself, cries out for the justice of those who have put their trust in His redeeming blood. The line of Abel continues, for when he was murdered before he could have children, Eve gave birth to another son and named him Seth because “God has appointed for me another offspring instead of Abel, for Cain killed him.” (Genesis 4:25) (This is why the line of Abel, the godly line leading to Christ, could not die out! And it did not, for God appointed Seth to take His place.)
As Dante Spencer explains in an article on The Gospel Coalition: “Cain and Abel is not just a story about two brothers at odds, the enmity between them is on a cosmic scale, it is about two seeds – the Cainite line (Gen. 4:17-26) and the Sethite line. (Gen. 5.)”[4]
[1] Matthew 23:35
[2] Genesis 4:10
[3] See Hebrews 12:24
[4] http://resources.thegospelcoalition.org/library/protoevangelium-of-genesis-3-1
4. In Genesis 3:15, God says he will put enmity between “his” offspring and “her” offspring. What does this mean?
Much of the sorrow that believers may bear, even to death, is the hatred of the “offspring of Satan.” Yet even this is part of God’s sovereign plan. For those of you who wish to go deeper, this is an excellent article from Dante Spencer on the proto-evangelism and this hatred that we as believers will experience.
4. If you read that article, what comments do you have?
Wednesday homework:
5. In the optional but EXCELLENT sermon this week by Tim Keller, he explains that in a patriarchal society it is most unusual for the godly line to be considered from the seed of a “woman.” But that is because God is talking about the only One who was borne of an earthly mother, but not an earthly father. Who was that?
Thursday:
6. What does Genesis 3:15 say? What do you think this means?
Friday: Optional Sermon by Keller (not free but wonderful)
7. Comments on the above?
Saturday
8. What is your take-a-way and why?
71 comments
What stands out to you from the above and why?
Dee, thank you for the forewarning about being careful with “bible codes”. I agree. The least of the things I want to be is a stumbling block to a fellow believer or to a struggling young Christian. The freedom by which I live my life in Christ should not be taken lightly at the expense of another’s soul well being. Praying for the mind of Christ.
2. If you or someone you love was involved in either of these hurricanes and has a God sighting, we’d love to hear it! (Sometimes He holds the storm, and sometimes He holds His child in the storm.)
My God sighting with regards to the hurricanes is 2-fold. Our daughter, Ruth Ann would have been just settling in Houston if she took her Dad’s suggestion where to move. There were quite a few advantages in moving there at that time but she moved to Tacoma, WA instead! I think of her fragile emotional state right now and what it could have been like if she were in the middle of all of these. The other sighting I have is to see the faithfulness of many in extending help to those who were affected by the storm. I follow Convoy of Hope and grateful for Hal Donaldson and the organization for the extensive ministry they are doing. A few years ago, we helped packed shoes in their main warehouse in Springfield, MO. It was a very memorable experience.
Thanks Bing — that is a God-sighting for your daughter.
REally interesting article in USA today (cover article last week) on how Fema is depending on faith based groups in Texas for 80% pf their work.
Bing–thankful for how God protected Ruth Ann! All of both mine and my husband’s family is in Houston, and have said just how incredible it is to see how people are really helping & serving one another.
I agree with Dee, huge kiss from God for your daughter, and you, in keeping her from having moved to Houston!
1.What stands out to you from the above and why?
Love how you, Dee, always consult wise counsel of others when you want clarification. You are always seeking God’s truth, not justification for your own–and model such a humble, teachable heart and it is part of what makes you such a trustworthy teacher. I am so blessed by that and thankful!
I love what your friend said “the purpose of the Bible is to reveal and not to conceal and that a study of names could take us away from the more important truths that are clearly revealed”. I was fascinated by what you shared last week, and yet, I can see where it could become a distraction for some–I think it depends on the audience. For me, I thought it was interesting, and pointed to God’s omniscience, but I didn’t have an urge to spend a whole lot more time digging there because I do feel limitted time and want to focus on other truths. Will pray for wisdom about using it in your book!
Thanks so, Lizzy. I appreciate so your thoughts
Had forgotten that the city in Texas where your family lives is Houston. So glad to know of their protection.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why? I think it is very wise that you want to thoroughly “sound this out” so-to-speak before proceeding with the name thing in your new book. I tend to think there may be the name thing, plus a billion other extra-Biblical things that point to the gospel in this world because it seems to me that this is just the nature of our creative, Creator God, and I think about Paul saying, in the second half of 1Corinthians 9:22 “…I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some.” I don’t need to go through science and/or historic evidence to prove things in order for me to believe, and yet there are those, like Josh McDowell, who needed Evidence That Demands a Verdict, so God gave him what he needed. So it would not surprise me a bit if the whole of Scripture is wrapped in multiple other layers of gospel-telling because it just seems like something the Creator, Who is infinitely creative, might do… and yet at the very same time I understand the caution. Just like getting to into Biblical numbers, which can lead to numerology, or signs in the stars leading to astrology. It seems like every good thing, which God did create to declare who He is, the enemy wants to distort into a bad thing. So, all that said, I probably just muddied the waters even more! 😀 Hope that helps. 😉
Okay, this just came to me…the key is probably, as with anything else, that whatever the discoveries, they must not contradict what God has already revealed in His Word. If they contradict it, then we know where it came from!
Mary E — love all these thoughts and resonate with them. It certainly would be like God to do this, but all must resonate with what is revealed!
“…the key is probably, as with anything else, that whatever the discoveries, they must not contradict what God has already revealed in His Word.”
Good thoughts Mary.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
I am in awe of how God helped Dee by giving her those here who are skeptical and then providing her with her discerning friend at DTS as well as another friend who agreed to help her. Also Dee’s teachable heart which is foundational! This is such a gift Dee. 🙂
I agree with both Dee and her friend that while one needs to be cautious in doing studies about names, at the same time over and over like with Ruth and Naomi-there are meanings behind names God gives at birth and when we see their redemptive stories play out-it should put us in awe and in wonder at His control, Him knowing each hair on our head and what each day will bring before we even wake up.
…And I looked up the meaning of my name I am not sure I like it. 😉 Although what is strange is that I did struggle with favoring my youngest Jacob. God has helped me with that. 😉 😉
Kindred spirits are we. And I love your Rebecca/Jacob story.
Dee-I agree!
Dee, I really appreciate your fully researching the gospel sentence idea from last week using knowledgeable and discerning friends. My cautions do not mean you are wrong, Dee, just that I have concerns. I too do not want to distract the weaker ones in the faith. I wonder what Keller would think of the “gospel sentence.”
I fully agree with Mary e. that it is entirely possible that our very creative God has put layers and layers of gospel-telling meaning in Scripture. My caution is that many can be taken off course and “add to” or “take away from” Scripture (see Revelations 22) in an unbiblical way. I also agree with Mary’s point, “whatever the discoveries, they must not contradict what God has already revealed in His Word. If they contradict it, then we know where it came from!” I guess I am skeptical of the meaning of the Biblical names “gospel sentence” because I have seen many abuses of Scripture over the years.
Diane — I so appreciate you expressing your concern. I really do. I will be very interested in what Greg Scharf finds out — he is the head preaching professor at Trinity Evangelical Seminary. He is as wise and as godly a man as i know. He was the back-up speaker to John Stoff. If it turns out the gospel sentence is sound, I will need to pray about using it for the reasons you mention, though if I do, it would be with a warning. That’s where I need the Lord to show me clearly for right now I could make an argument for going either way.
I so appreciate you!
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
Genesis Pattern
Grace, Human sin, Punishment, Redemption
Today as my Pastor/ son is going through an 11 week overview of the Bible he again this morning reiterated this theme in the Old Testament saying how it was repeated over and over and over. All with an eye to the future and Jesus Christ who became the consummation of God’s plan for our redemption from our sin.
Praying for you Dee and your request for wisdom to do what God pleases regarding this teaching. I too appreciate your heart to be careful and wise. God will be faithful to you.
I have a sweet acquaintance from Florida who evacuated up to Tennessee and stayed with family. They didn’t know if they’d come home to the beautiful little blue house that has been their home for many years. Their area took a direct hit from what she has dubbed Irmageddon. (-:
They committed it in prayer to God’s hands and trusted it to Him. Actually prayed with hands on the house as they left.
This weekend they came home to their house completely intact and no water issues. But a huge tree was completely uprooted in their yard which would have destroyed their home but it was safely fallen the other way. Their family is giving all praise to God for sparing their home.
Thank you, Bev.
I was thinking that that pattern can be seen really throughout the historical books, as in Judges.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
I love that you are reaching out to scholars to get their viewpoints on this touchy subject. It is humble of you and I appreciate that. I will pray for wisdom for you.
Thanks, Laura.
3. Following the disobedience of Adam and Eve, God pronounced judgment, and in the midst of that, we find “the first gospel,” or the “proto-evangelium.” Read Genesis 3:15.
A. In Genesis 3:15a, there is a literal snake, and then, the one to whom the snake points. First, looking at the literal snake, who must have been upright in the garden, what is his fate?
In verse 14, the snake is condemned to slither, on the ground, on his belly.
B. This snake points to another “serpent.” Find who he is in Revelation 20:2.
This serpent is Satan.
C. There are two families that begin here – can you see them in Genesis 3:15b?
I can see Jesus (the One who strikes/bruises, the snake), and Eve’s offspring.
D. This can be clarified in the New Testament. See them in 1 John 3:10. What are the two families?
They are the children of God and the children of the devil.
E. Last week I asked why the family of Abel could not die out — does this help answer that? If so, explain.
Hmmmm, not sure still. Does Cain represent the children of the devil and Abel represent the children of God?
Yes to E, Laura.
With C — Eve’s offspring leads to Jesus and then there are the serpent, who represents the devil according to Revelation and his children
I wondered, Dee, if Adam and Eve had 2 sons, how was life expanded? I read that Cain was banished by God and then made love to his wife (where did she come from?) and had a son, Enoch.
That is an often asked question, Laura. I’ve read many answers, but I am not sure.
Is there any source that might help me understand?
5. Jesus, of course! Born of the Virgin Mary who was not married.
3 A. In Genesis 3:15a, there is a literal snake, and then, the one to whom the snake points. First, looking at the literal snake, who must have been upright in the garden, what is his fate?
God will put enmity between him and the woman and Jesus will bruise his head.
B. This snake points to another “serpent.” Find who he is in Revelation 20:2.
satan
C. There are two families that begin here – can you see them in Genesis 3:15b?
I have never seen this in this verse before! Wow. I had to go to the next question for clarification but it is those who are Jesus’-under His dominion and who love Him, and those who love the world and are under the dominion of satan.
D. This can be clarified in the New Testament. See them in 1 John 3:10. What are the two families?
The Children of God and the Children of satan.
E. Last week I asked why the family of Abel could not die out — does this help answer that? If so, explain.
Yes. #D could also be referred to as the family of Cain and the family of Abel. The family of Abel represents us and the family of Cain represents the children of satan.
So I have a story..and this is beautiful. Yesterday I was upset and shall I say, wrestled with God and I firmly believe satan is attacking us. :-/ I expressed my anger, my frustration with how long it was taking Him to melt my boys’ hearts and other things I was upset about and I was desperate! But He came before my “breakdown” 😉 and is with me during it and after. We are in Genesis and our pastor brought out that God clothed Adam and Eve in their shame. That even though they sinned against Him and were suffering the consequences-shame..He clothed them to comfort them to take away their shame. IS THAT NOT HEART MELTING?? OH the cross-He covered me in His blood-His righteousness to cover my shame. How could I stay mad? Yet I was determined to stay mad. 🙁 Even though I tried not to and part of me felt like a total idiot being mad at the one who clothed me in His righteousness-yet I knew He wanted me to process it before Him…I didn’t know it but He wanted to show me something beautiful-not fix my problem but show me Him. SO I let it out in my closet in my bedroom. SO I know I am His but I really felt His presence-His spirit inside. He showed me HE HAS ME. I AM HIS and as much as I wanted to give up and shrivel up I couldn’t. His Spirit inside compells me to love even when I am hurt, even though I am broken. I can’t explain it and that is good. IT IS HIM IN ME. NOT ME. His SPIRIT in me and His love compels me to worship-to cry out, to go to Him in anger-to wrestle with Him-and yet my soul still wanders-:( Before I came on Dee’s blog I withheld and ignored God when I was angry..Yet I still wanted and missed intimacy with Him-THAT IS HIM IN ME. but He has done an amazing thing in bringing me closer over the years and yet it is only a smidgen of face to face. Amazing Love, how can it be?! I found this with Hudson’s quote in it by Charlotte Elliott:
O Jesus, make Thyself to meA living, bright reality,More present to Faith’s vision keenThan any outward object seen,More near, more intimately nigh,Than e’en the sweetest earthly tie.
And Thou, blest vision of my soul,Hast made my broken nature whole,Hast purified my base desires,And kindled passion’s holiest fires!My nature Thou hast lifted upAnd filled me with a glorious hope.
Nearer and nearer still to meThou living, loving Savior be.Brighter the vision of Thy face,More glorious still Thy words of grace;Till life shall be transformed to love,A heaven below, a heaven above.
Rebecca — I had forgotten how God clothed them — this ministers to me too. And I love you are hanging on this quote!
Rebecca you blessed me with your honest and beautiful sharing of your struggle yesterday. I just finished my bible reading this morning and it was in Philippians 4. We are so familiar with verses 6 & 7 that start out “be anxious for nothing” or “don’t worry about anything”. I memorized these verses years ago but this morning reading through the passage I saw the sentence actually starts back in verse 5 and says “The Lord is at hand” which means He is near. Near is very close. For us as believers near means as you said “covered in his blood clothed in his righteousness / His presence-His Spirit inside me”. Then when we “by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let our requests be made known to God” (like you did in your prayer closet) He brings His peace and guards our hearts and minds. By jumping right into verse 6 we bring our own effort into not worrying but if we can recognize first that He is at hand or near that is the real key to finding peace. Your sharing really fleshed out my bible reading today (-: and I love the Hudson quote.
Bev, wow..I memorized that verse a long time ago too but you made me go back and piece it together again to see what I didn’t see before. 🙂
What a beautiful story Rebecca! He is so kind & loving with us 🙂
Love reading the richness of all the comments back & forth. I did most of the homework but haven’t had the time to post on here.
Welcome Margarita & may you find great comfort & peace in our God.
I also was very touched by your humility & willingness to be challenged Dee! I don’t think I would be so gracious. The Lord bless & encourage u & give u wisdom as u write your book. 🙂
3. Following the disobedience of Adam and Eve, God pronounced judgment, and in the midst of that, we find “the first gospel,” or the “proto-evangelium.” Read Genesis 3:15.
A. In Genesis 3:15a, there is a literal snake, and then, the one to whom the snake points. First, looking at the literal snake, who must have been upright in the garden, what is his fate?
To lose his place of standing and without legs have to slither on the ground below all other animals at the lowest level.
B. This snake points to another “serpent.” Find who he is in Revelation 20:2.
The devil who was the ancient serpent.
C. There are two families that begin here – can you see them in Genesis 3:15b?
Cain –The offspring of Satan the serpent and Able-Seth–the offspring of Eve.
D. This can be clarified in the New Testament. See them in 1 John 3:10. What are the two families?
The children of God (who practice righteousness) as with Able
the children of the devil (who practice unrighteousness and who hate) as with Cain
E. Last week I asked why the family of Abel could not die out — does this help answer that? If so, explain.
Abel did the right thing (he practiced righteousness before God) by bringing God an acceptable sacrifice
4. In Genesis 3:15, God says he will put enmity between “his” offspring and “her” offspring. What does this mean?
Enmity between those who are of satan and those who are in Christ.
Hi Everyone,
Greg Scharf got back with me and was helpful. I’ll write more in next week’s blog so everyone sees it, but he basically concurred with the professor from DTS that is is safer to stay away from what he called “onomastics” (the study of names) for it is notoriously abused. However, there are times, as in Hosea, when the Scripture explains the meaning of the names and the New Testament repeats it. I will explain more — I am thankful for this body here, for their honest raising of red flags, and how you spurred me to find out more. I do regret even going there, but will do my best to clean it up!
Dee, It is obvious to me from earlier comments there is great appreciation of you being careful with this subject and your research. No one was jumping in with both feet and caution has been the tone of this subject because of you. We’ll look forward to what you present from Scharf next week.
Dee, The discussion, the thought-processing, and especially your modeling of humbly seeking wise counsel was worth far too much to regret bringing up the conversation about names. What I learn from you, the never-ending eagerness to dig and be stretched, the hunger for going deeper and learning more, and then always holding it up to the light of discernment–I think that is so helpful, so pleasing to Him. I have to run but just wanted to jump in & share that. Love you so!!
So glad Greg got back with you and God is so good to have provided for you through them. I agree with everyone’s responses here! And I agree, your modeling of seeking wise counsel is what I believe God wanted us to experience here. He is sovereign and this wasn’t out of His control. It makes me happy to see how you are responding!
Dee, yes. Thank you for being humble about seeking the advice of others in terms of onomastics- a new word for me. I think the accountability that I see permeating our conversations here continues to amaze me and I am so blessed to be a part of this blog. Although my comments have been sporadic, I do try to follow the conversations and been gleaning so much gold. Smile. And I feel like I have truly grown closer to the Lord these past 2 years-thanks to the ministry of the Spirit and to my sisters in Christ.
I couldn’t get the link to the Dante Spencer article to come up here so did a Google search for it and found it (-:
Spencer speaks to what is a spiritual enmity between Satan and those who trust and believe God specifically those who trust in Christ. The enmity starts with Satan who is cursed because out of his own character he is a murderer and a liar. Spencer makes a good point that what happened in the garden with the fall of Adam and Eve isn’t just about deception and temptation but he says “When Satan led the first couple into sin, he murdered them spiritually.” Therefore as a result we are born spiritually dead. But God in His wonderful grace made a promise to the woman Eve that from her Seed (Jesus) would come and crush Satan and that happened at the Cross. Believers in Jesus are hated by Satan and his offspring and the enmity results from that.
4. In Genesis 3:15, God says he will put enmity between “his” offspring and “her” offspring. What does this mean?
The enmity that separates those who follow Jesus (her offspring) and those who follow Satan (his offspring) is a spiritual enmity or hatred on the part of Satan and his offspring toward God the Father and His Son Jesus who crushed Satan by dying on the Cross and who by the power of the Holy Spirit being raised from the dead in victory over spiritual death.
About Dante Spencer’s point that you quoted Bev, “When Satan led the first couple into sin, he murdered them spiritually.” Wow, that’s something to think about. I know Paul says we were “dead in our trespasses and sins” but I never connected it to Satan’s murder of us.
You are all so gracious and I thank God for you!
I have so much to grow and learn. I am a widow and have lost faith that God is in Control. Trusting I will regain my assurance.
Oh Margaret — we are so glad you are here. Being widowed feels like being cut in half, and it is understandable that you would feel shaky.
I can only tell you that I wanted to die when my husband died, but the Lord restored me to joy. I hope you will keep coming here. The women here will surround you with love and wisdom.
Hello, Margarita. Please stay with us and let us know how we can pray for you. You are not alone. I am so sorry for your loss.
Welcome Margarita!
Dee, you are a wonderful example of someone who is eager to learn, and honestly, humbly open to correction. I pray that I will become as gracious as you. I love you so much. My concern is precisely what Greg Scharf says that it is “safer to stay away from” what he called “onomastics” (the study of names) for it is notoriously abused. There are so many wonderful connections for the gospel in the Old Testament that is clear in Scripture that we don’t need to focus on what is unclear.
Yes — your last point is so good. Thanks, Diane.
Just a comment on the “He will crush your head and you will strike his heel.” It intrigues me that the crushing comes first, and then the bruising or striking. Obviously, Jesus crushed the devil at the cross, so how, after being crushed, can he then strike or bruise? Could the answer be in Rev 13:7? “He was given power to wage war against the saints and to conquer them….” Is it that he strikes at the weakest point, which is the people, causing a bruise, but not being able to crush them, since even in death we are still victorious?
That seems like a good answer to me, Mary B!
Mary B. I didn’t think about that-that the crushing comes first-great question. I love your answer and it makes sense that because Jesus crushed satan’s head on the cross and rose in victory that satan is only able to bruise us and totally unable to destroy us.
Wow-Mary! Even in defeat, the enemy will still attempt to strike. I think of the passage in 2 Corinthians 4 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. Because Jesus already has won, no attempts of the Devil can thwart the victory that we have in Christ.
This stood out from Dante Spencer’s article:
Because the enmity between the two seeds has been placed there by God, it means there is nothing the seed of the serpent can do to the seed of the woman that is not permitted by God. God is sovereign over all men and they can do nothing to you that is not under God’s jurisdiction. Your suffering for Christ is appointed by God (Phil. 1:29; 1 Pet. 4:12-14) as a means of putting to death your love for the things of this age and making you long for your true home, heaven (1 Pet .1:6-7; 5:8-10; Phil. 3:20).
I didn’t think about false teachers being a seed of the serpent:
Romans 16:20 is in the context of the church being plagued by false teachers. How does this relate to Genesis 3:15? Paul looked at the world through the lens of Genesis 3:15 – one was either a seed of the serpent or the seed of the woman. Paul recognizes those who were causing division at the church of Rome through false doctrine to be the seed of the serpent (see Rom. 16:17-19). Persecution and heresy are both means of the seed of the serpent to physically or spiritually destroy the seed of the woman. But the gospel is our sure hope: “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.”
Great references, Rebecca.
Wednesday
5. In the optional but EXCELLENT sermon this week by Tim Keller, he explains that in a patriarchal society it is most unusual for the godly line to be considered from the seed of a “woman.” But that is because God is talking about the only One who was borne of an earthly mother, but not an earthly father. Who was that?
Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Can someone explain to me what the word Sovereign means. I am understanding it to mean a God over all. But I am learning and wold like someones thoughts on this.
Margarita–so glad you are here, and I am so sorry for the great loss of your husband. I love your hunger to learn and draw near to Him even in your grief.
I just looked at “sovereignty” in the Easton’s Bible Dictionary, and it said “Sovereignty of God, his absolute right to do all things according to his own good pleasure”, referencing: Daniel 4:25 Daniel 4:35 ; Romans 9:15-23 ; 1 Timothy 6:15 ; Revelation 4:11.
In my own non-theologically-trained words, I think of it as God’s absolute power and rule over all, but always joined with His ultimate power is His perfect love–one of my favorite attributes of God is His power, I have no fear of it, because it is always fueled with perfect love, perfect judgment…now I’m going to be quiet & let the wise ones here chime in! But I’m really glad you’re with us!
I just came across this quote from Dr. Derek Thomas, and thought it may encourage some here too: “In times of stress, trial and difficulty-at times and in short seasons-God seems to withdraw the presence of His countenance to make us want Him more, to desire Him more, and to be glad when He returns.”
Love this quote, Lizzy.
Lizzy thank you so much. I needed to here that, I needed to see it as well. It is so true.
Thank you for looking up Sovereignty I needed other peoples understanding of the word as well. I love My Lord and thirst so much for his water to fill me. I am taking this Bible Study one piece at a time and want to grow so much. Thank you for not feeling I am foolish asking questions rather than commenting. All of you are my teachers and I appreciate everyone of you.
Margarita,
Praying that God will comfort you as only He can in your deep loss.
Lizzy’s take on the sovereignty of God is excellent. We should never take one attribute of God at the expense of others. She is so right that his ultimate power is joined with his perfect love. I love that explanation. Her thoughts are biblical and that is where we have to stay grounded in God’s Word.
Thank you so much for your gracious words. I too only want to center my life on true biblical teachings. I have so many times just listened to “mans” twist on things but never relying on the true goodness of God’s own words. I have such a long way to go. I know in my heart the love of my Lord but I want more. Thank you for accepting me into this group with all the love and wonders that come from it. I am here to lean and absorb the word to be able to teach the word. Thank you again. I am reading each reference and will be looking up some of the videos. Thank you again.
6. What does Genesis 3:15 say? What do you think this means?
“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.””
Genesis 3:15 ESV
http://bible.com/59/gen.3.15.esv
I think it means there will be strife on us as long as we live on earth. However the “bruise” He gives is stronger than the “bruise” received by Satan.
Side rabbit trail… I asked Dee above about the lineage of people starting with Adam and Eve. A friend posed a question to me the other day and it got me thinking about this very thing. If Abel was killed and Cain was left who was Cain’s wife who began that lineage? In other words where was the woman who married Cain? Where did she come from? I wanted to see if there was some sort of a reference that I could look at that addressed that particular situation. And then I started thinking…wasn’t Job the first book of the Bible written? Now I’m really confused! If Job was the first book written how does Genesis fit in? Yikes! And help!
The sermon I’m posting next week should help, Laura. It’s from Keller and he says the Bible is very selective in what it tells. And John tells us in John 21:25 that if everything Jesus did was told the world would not be able to hold all those books. So, that’s why often we don’t know. Job was written sometime within the time of Genesis, they believe. But, yes, the Lord had to create the world first!
Interesting! I thought I would go back to a resource you gave us called the “Biblical Story” by Charles Baylis. I started listening today. It is goooood!
Laura, you posed a very interesting question. I did not even think of Cain’s family line after the fact. Wow-where did the woman come from? Glad God is not tired of us asking and seeking. Some mysteries are meant to stay that way? Glad, too that all we need to live a life of godliness is provided through Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1: 3 “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”
. What is your take-a-way and why?
That I should focus on what is clear revelation of the Scriptures and that there are many references to the gospel in the OT. They point to Christ. I love the fact that everything culminates in Jesus. There is no other name like Jesus. If it takes me away from the knowledge of Him, then I am in dangerous territory.
And speaking of names, I was reading a devotion from Charles Spurgeon and he used a verse in the OT that had the name Hephzibah. “No longer will they call you Deserted, or name your land Desolate. But you will be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for the LORD will take delight in you, and your land will be married.” Isaiah 62:4 He delights in us as His church (cross reference Song of Solomon 7:6) and we are married to Christ. Overwhelmingly beautiful to ponder. And as these songs go, He included me! And O love that will not let me go. I rest my weary soul in thee. I give thee back the life I owe and in the ocean’s depth its flow, may richer, fuller be.
Love this Bing!
Thanks, Laura. And for introducing me to Charles Baylis-wow! I love the biblical story. I plan to listen to all the sessions.
This was a God sighting for me as I am leading a Sunday School study on Exodus and I am feeling overwhelmed although it has really encouraged me to dig deeper. Dr. Baylis session 3 is a great one to share with my group. As all of us seem to struggle with how all these stories (and we know they do) “form” a timeline of God’s hand from Genesis to Revelation. So thank you!
Oh yay! I’m glad it helped you 😉. Praying the class goes well.
Love seeing your interactions!