Good Morning.
So the Lord God said to the serpent: “Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all cattle, and more than every beast of the field; on your belly you shall go, and you shall eat dust all the days of your life.” (Genesis 3:14)
After addressing the woman with her part in eating the forbidden fruit, God turned to the one who instigated the whole matter — the serpent. Because the serpent used its craftiness for wicked purposes, it became the first living thing to be cursed. Even though he was the first one God addressed, Adam wasn’t cursed — the ground was. Likewise, the woman wasn’t cursed; her suffering in childbearing was multiplied. But the one who enticed man to sin was sentenced to forever crawl upon his belly eating dust.
In this judgment we see God’s justice and how it is administered — measure for measure. The serpent cast a stumbling block before the woman and convinced her and Adam to eat something that was not considered to be good for food. As a result, the serpent was condemned to eat something that was no longer good for food — the soon-to-be cursed ground.
What you and I can learn from this is just how literal the laws regarding reaping and sowing are. If you cast a stumbling block before others, don’t be surprised if you suffer consequences in similar fashion as you inflicted. In the book of Job it is recorded:
“Those who plow iniquity and sow trouble reap the same.” (Job 4:8)
On the other hand, if you want to reap mercy, you should sow mercy. If you want to reap kindness, you should sow kindness. Therefore, let us commit ourselves to sowing that which produces life and prosperity, knowing that, “he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life” (Gal. 6:8).
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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