The Fall
God Curses the Serpent
And the LORD God said to the serpent: "Because you have done this, cursed are you—cursed above all living creatures. You shall crawl on your belly and eat the dust of the earth all the days of your life."
– iBIBLE Chapter 2
Scripture reference: Genesis 3:14
The serpent had been quite the talker when tempting Eve, but not so when confronted by the Lord. After Adam blames Eve (and God), and Eve blames the serpent, the serpent remains silent in the presence of God.
And so, God begins by cursing the serpent, the deceiver. In passing a sentence on him, God addresses the source of the sin itself. God says,"Because you have done this, cursed are you—cursed above all living creatures. You shall crawl on your belly and eat the dust of the earth all the days of your life."
Scripture makes clear the connection between the serpent of old and the devil in the book of Revelation:
And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.—Revelation 12:9 [ESV]
The curse that God places on the serpent reveals a picture of Satan’s ultimate humiliation. Just as a defeated enemy falls to the ground in battle, the serpent is placed on his belly, forced to eat the dust of the earth. The devil who hid himself in the form of a serpent receives the visible punishment of crawling on the ground all the days of his life. He cannot avoid eating the dust as he crawls.
Above all living things, the serpent is cursed; he is cursed more than any other beast of the field, and becomes a sign to us today—a remembrance of what transpired during the fall of mankind.
Although Satan is active in our world today, Scripture promises that he willmeet an end when Jesus returns:
[A]nd the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fireand sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they willbe tormented day and night forever and ever. —Revelation 20:10
Just as the serpent in Genesis is cast down to the dust, Satan will be cast down forever—and all evil with him.
Our Response
As we continue to experience the effects of the fall of mankind in our world today, we face temptation by the devil. Scripture warns us, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). There is a spiritual battle that we continue to face this side of Heaven.
Remembering the curse placed on the serpent, we can be resolute in standing against his temptation, and we can look forward to the day when Jesus returns and casts all evil down forever.
So, what do we do today? How do we combat the accuser and his temptations? God does not leave us without help; He gives us His armor.
Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. — Ephesians 6:14–18a
This curse reveals a picture of Satan’s ultimate humiliation. Justas a defeated enemy falls to the ground in battle, the serpent isplaced on his belly, forced to eat the dust of the earth.
A Prayer for This Week
Dear Mighty Father, thank you for Your Word and the promises that You have made to us. We look forward to the day of Your second coming when all evil and the evil one himself will be defeated forever. As we look forward to that day, please give us hope and endurance so that we can stand firm in the truths of Your Word, and the righteousness that You have already won for us in Christ. Equip us with Your armor and help us as we pray. We ask for perseverance and wisdom. In Jesus’s holy and precious name, we pray, Amen.