Seed of the Woman
Introduction: The devil began his deception in the Garden of Eden as he told Eve that she could not believe what God had said about the forbidden tree. That conversation led to both Adam and Eve eating from that tree, and death of the body did indeed result from their disobedience as the LORD had told them. But the grace of God could not be destroyed by the desires of Satan. Christ Jesus is the seed of the woman who destroys the work of Satan, that serpent from the Garden.
NOTE: All Bible passages are from the American King James Version.
A — God Created Man in His Own Image, Both Male and Female
Genesis 1 “26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth. 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good.”
Comments: The creation of mankind as both male and female was the act of God to create in his own image those who would have dominion over all the earth and all other living creatures. The sixth day was the final one in the process of creation, and Genesis chapter 2 provides additional detail about the significant difference that mankind has above all other living things in God’s creation — the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul.
B — The Fruit of the Tree of Knowledge Was Forbidden
Genesis 3 “14 And the LORD God said to the serpent, Because you have done this, you are cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; on your belly shall you go, and dust shall you eat all the days of your life: 15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; it shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel. 20 And Adam called his wife’s name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.”
Comments: The LORD described the patterns of life and death that were now set in motion for mankind; and there would also be a continual struggle for people to believe and obey the Word of God, in the midst of many who would instead only follow the desires of the flesh. Verses 14 and 15 describe a very common interaction for people and lowly serpents that would be known around the world; but there is a deeper meaning about a deadly serpent that could not be understood until the LORD revealed more truth by those he inspired to write additional Scripture.
C — Mary’s Husband Joseph Was in the Line of Kings from David
Matthew 1 “16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. 18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and you shall call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”
Comments: The genealogy in Matthew traces the kings who reigned after David down to Joseph, identified as the husband of Mary. It clearly states beginning in verse 18 that the conception of Christ Jesus by the Holy Spirit came before the betrothed couple came together. Joseph was instructed to give him the name Jesus because he shall save his people from their sins. The prophet referenced is Isaiah, and extra emphasis is given that Jesus will save people from their sin because he is called Emmanuel, meaning “God with us.”
D — Mary Had a Message from God About the Miraculous Conception
Luke 1 “31 And, behold, you shall conceive in your womb, and bring forth a son, and shall call his name JESUS. 32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give to him the throne of his father David: 33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. 35 And the angel answered and said to her, The Holy Ghost shall come on you, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow you: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of you shall be called the Son of God. 38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it to me according to your word.”
Comments: Luke states twice that Mary was a virgin. After she heard the explanation of miraculous conception by the Holy Spirit, Mary willingly submitted as she called herself the handmaid of the LORD. This was as the prophecy in Isaiah chapter 9 had predicted: “The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.” The genealogy in Luke traces the line after David’s son Nathan — not his son Solomon — indicating the line through Mary rather than Joseph. Thus the seed of the woman was through the line of David and his son Nathan, with conception brought about by the Holy Ghost.
E — God Defeats the Deception of Satan by Offering Resurrection to Eternal Life
John 11 “25 Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26 And whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Believe you this? 27 She said to him, Yes, Lord: I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.”
1 Corinthians 15 “53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory? 57 But thanks be to God, which gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Comments: What a wonderful truth as Jesus told the Sadducees that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are alive because God is a God of the living. Those who have resurrection from the dead can never die; they are equal to the angels and are children of God, being the children of resurrection. Before Jesus called Lazarus out from the tomb, he said to Martha, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believes in me, though he was dead, yet shall he live.” The mortal body must be changed to immortal, and it is a mystery that not all believers will “sleep;” but all will be changed at the last trumpet sound. Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
F — Jesus Completed His Work and Returned to the Father in Heaven
John 17 “3 And this is life eternal, that they might know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I have glorified you on the earth: I have finished the work which you gave me to do. 5 And now, O Father, glorify you me with your own self with the glory which I had with you before the world was.”
1 Peter 1 “3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy has begotten us again to a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fades not away, reserved in heaven for you, 9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.”
Comments: John 17 has a precious prayer that believers have the privilege to read and contemplate as the Son of God prayed to God the Father about the glory related to the work on earth that was nearing the end point for Christ. When Christ Jesus would come forth from the grave in resurrection he would give eternal life to as many as the Father has given him. Peter opened his first letter by declaring that the resurrection of Christ from the dead gives us that firm hope of eternal life according to the abundant mercy of God: an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that cannot fade away, reserved in heaven for those who are kept by the power of God through faith to salvation.
Reflections in Prayer
LORD, I thank you that though Satan seemed to be successful in his deception in the Garden of Eden, your grace and mercy provided for so many people over the centuries to overcome that first death, with the sure hope of eternal life provided by the God of the living. Your eternal plans to have Emmanuel to be born of a virgin as the “seed of the woman” could not be thwarted by any amount of determined efforts of Satan. We can now be more aware of why our triune God had said at the beginning “let us make man in our image.” LORD, it is according to your abundant mercy that the resurrection of Christ from the dead gives us that firm hope of our inheritance of eternal life. Help me Lord, to remember that your power can overcome all trials and temptations I may experience until you call me home. My Savior and Lord, You provide the joy of present salvation of my soul; so may I remember to give praise, honor, and glory to your name. Hallelujah, Amen.
Published 7 March 2019