December 2

“Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field…” Genesis 3:1 ESV

Here is the darkest moment in history. The serpent tempts and the people listen, then act. Their eyes are opened to good and evil, but instead of being wise like God, they only know the shame of disobedience. And for the first time, when the LORD God is heard walking in the garden, they hide.

God hands out a curse to the serpent for his deception. Before he finishes, he also preaches the first gospel. This is called the protoevangelium—the first announcement of good news. A Child will be born of a woman. God tells the serpent that this offspring “he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

For their disobedience, Adam and Eve are removed from the garden, they must labor for their food, and Eve will bring forth children in pain. Their relationship will be contrary and they will fight for leadership.

This story could have ended much worse. Without the judgement of God, Adam and Eve would have remained in the Garden, living forever in their sin. Just as God clothed their bodies with garments, removing them from the garden was an act of mercy. It also set up humanity to one day receive the Child born of a virgin, whose death and resurrection would put an end to our shame and death.

Prayer for today:

Heavenly Father, we stand in awe of your plan of salvation. From the beginning you made a way for us to reconcile ourselves to you and we give you praise. Thank you for clothing us in your righteousness, covered in the blood of your Son, so we don’t have to stand before you in shame on Judgment Day. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.