To many readers of this magazine one of the most familiar and best understood Bible passages is this verse which has often been called the Protevangelium, the First Gospel.
Then dare it be suggested that one of the most significant aspects of its promise has been almost completely overlooked ?
The serpent represents the power of Sin. The seed of the woman is Jesus, the virgin-born Saviour. The seed of the serpent is the “generation of vipers” whose implacable hostility brought his death on the cross—the seed of the serpent bruising the seed of the woman in the heel, i.e. the Saviour was made hours de combat by these sinners, but only for a time. Soon there followed His glorious resurrection.
But in this contest the Seed of the woman bruised sin in the head —a mortal blow, which is to lead to Paradise Restored.
All this is commonly recognised and rejoiced in. But have readers observed that the second part of the promise does not say, as expected, “the seed of the woman shall bruise the seed of the serpent in the head,” but instead “the seed of the woman shall bruise the serpent itself in the head ?”
This unexpected divergence from the rhythm of the passage carries an important implication. The Savior’s victory is not to be over sin in his own day and generation only, but over the serpent itself, i.e. over sin in every generation right from the time of Adam.
Thus is set forth the fundamental idea that the sacrifice of Christ is timeless in its efficacy. Adam had his sin forgiven through the blood of Christ. So too did Abraham, rejoicing to see Christ’s day. And so too did all others of the old dispensation who died in faith.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One