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Read the intro portion (click on the green link here) intro to the 1st Bible study (March 22 post) but we will be commenting on this post. Underneath that you will find daily 1 or 2 daily topics in the comments section. Under each comment is a a green word “reply”. If you click on that you can make comments on that particular comment. If you want to make a general comment on the whole thread, there is a white box at the very bottom of the post for general comments. Do include your initials or first name in your comment so people can see who is commenting, but no need to make an account or login. You can jump in and share verses that God brings to your mind as we go. I would love to hear what He is revealing to you all in these verses. Just like what we do in a group. Share what jumps out to you in each verse. Let’s encourage one another, and be blessed by the Word together. You may need to hit the refresh button on your browser to see new comments.
Starting at 11am, I will post one section of scripture at a time in the comments below. Please read it out loud and share whatever jumps out to you. Our focus is the goodness and faithfulness of God but other observations are welcome.
Healing and Discipleship 
Good morning! Today we will be chatting about the post fall window and the book of Job. Our first verse Genesis 3:15 KJV ” And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.”
I find I’m a bit unclear about the meaning of the last part of this verse . Am I correct in understanding that God is addressing Satan ( the serpent), telling him (foreshadowing) that the seed of the woman, Yeshua is going to bruise Satan’s head.. but then it says “ and Thou( Satan?) shall bruise his ( Christ’s / Body of Christ’s ?).. heel.Is this speaking about OUR heel getting bruised as we stomp on Satan’s head? This version makes it sound like Satan gets to bruise someone’s heel..even though his head will be crushed.
Karen
Yes…. I included this verse as I think it is amazing that right after they committed this life altering sin, God is promising them Jesus
I think this is the first mention of Jesus coming to redeem everything that happened in the fall. God is an amazing first responder. Where sin abounds grace superabounds. Romans 5:20
Is discussion occurring ?
Yes! Please hit refresh to see comments
I’m here but I’m still wondering what thoughts people have regarding That first verse in Genesis 3:15 I’m trying to find the NT scripture that refers to us as the body of Christ crushing Satan under our heel.
I think both. Basically if we understand the verses that Satan at worst can deal us a wound (already done at the fall really) but that the blow that Jesus would deal Him would be fatal. We are defeating Satan or demons even. We are enforcing the already established victory of Christ in His resurrection. As enforcers we are told that we will walk on serpents and tread on the young lions in Psalm91
I think the death blow though must be creditted to Christ alone.
1 Corinthians 15:55-57 King James Version (KJV) 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Isaiah 27:1-4 King James Version (KJV) 27 In that day the Lord with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea. 2 In that day sing ye unto her, A vineyard of red wine. 3 I the Lord do keep it; I will water it every moment: lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day.
Luke 10:18-20 King James Version (KJV) “18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. 19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.”
In the amplified version it says “He shall (fatally) bruise your head, and you shall (only) bruise His heel.” So it sounds from this version like it is Jesus who is bruising Satan’s head and that Satan only bruises Jesus’ heel. So it doesn’t really sound like we are the ones that get to stomp on Satan’s head. Wendy
I am doing a word search on the “serpent” to see what it says about us. Lisa
And further fulfillment is Romans 16:20
And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. kjv -Rob
So God bruises Satan under OUR feet but our heel doesn’t get bruised? It definitely is clearer in your version Wendy .I just got thinking though in the process of taking part in the ‘stomping ‘here with Christ involving us somehow it wouldn’t surprise me that there is discomfort in that involvement. We don’t get wounded exactly and a bruised heel seems like a little thing but it is also not a cake walk with the way Satan rages,distracts etc against those that see this as part of their identity WITH Christ. I could be way off here and not making any sense but the last part of Genesis 3:15 just intrigued me as to who is bruising who ? I’m happy to leave it alone if this conversation between God and Satan is just talking about what happens between him and Jesus. It probably is a rabbit hole but thanks for the input!
Genesis 4 KJV “4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: 5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. 6 And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? 7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. 8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. “
God is so so faithful. He is willing to warn those who will listen and obey Him. He had warned Adam and Eve, He warned Cain. He made it very clear what they should avoid and they yet they disregarded his instructions.
I think this is important to recognize as a repeating theme. We see it from the beginning, right through to revelation that God always forwarns those who are listening and tells them exactly how to avoid catastrophy. This motivates me to develop an ear that can hear God clearly.
Yes ! The ‘our part” and “His part” he always and consistently makes clear!
Lisa: where did God warn Cain ?
Verses 6-7. He said sin is crouching at your door.. Like in Luke 22:31-32 BSB 31Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. 32But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith will not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”…
I think that the warning that Lisa is referring to for Cain is in Genesis 4:6-7
Wendy
Also so encouraged to see that Cain was absolutely able to hear God even post fall. Dear Heavenly Father, that I would hear your voice this plainly all the moments and days of my life in Jesus name”
Amplified bible says “sin crouches at your door and you must master it “
Karen
A concept that needs much teaching and clarification within the Body of Christ as its often been interpreted to mean “ trying real hard not to sin”
Yes I agree with you Karen. Wendy
I am more and more convinced that we don’t master sin by trying not to, but we master sin by denying ourselves and crucifying our flesh… essentially by letting God’s agenda totally displace our own. Then not sinning follows readily.
Exactly! Mastery over sin in our responses to sin crouching at th door looks more like the transformed new nature ‘submitting to God ,then resisting the enemy’ anything else seems to be religious effort.
Genesis 4 WEB”8 Cain said to Abel, his brother, “Let’s go into the field.” While they were in the field, Cain rose up against Abel, his brother, and killed him. 9 Yahweh said to Cain, “Where is Abel, your brother?”
He said, “I don’t know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” 10 Yahweh said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries to me from the ground. 11 Now you are cursed because of the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. 12 From now on, when you till the ground, it won’t yield its strength to you. You will be a fugitive and a wanderer in the earth.” 13 Cain said to Yahweh, “My punishment is greater than I can bear. 14 Behold, you have driven me out today from the surface of the ground. I will be hidden from your face, and I will be a fugitive and a wanderer in the earth. Whoever finds me will kill me.” 15 Yahweh said to him, “Therefore whoever slays Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold.” Yahweh appointed a sign for Cain, so that anyone finding him would not strike him.”
Something that strikes me strongly is this idea that Abel’s blood cried out to the Lord from the ground. It cries out for justice…. The blood of Jesus cries out even louder from the mercy seat in the heavenlies “Mercy and forgiveness” This idea that shed blood can talk is quite a mystery to understand and yet runs throughout scripture. Interesting that the human response from the beginning is vengeance.. And God’s even in this situation is mercy.
Gods amazing grace is seen once again here in the way He reassures and provides a way for Cain and a measure of protection with the punishment he gave Him. There’s always an open door for redemption for the worst sinner. Cain saying to Yahweh “ I will be hidden from Your face….my punishment is more than I can bear” yet with providing a sign of protection, addressing Cains greatest fear He seems to be saying “ No, I’m still aware of you and looking out for you “
Judgment against others, especially the kind that condemns them and leave no room for restoration therefore is a dangerous trap indeed. I think of the men like Hitler, and though it challenges me to the uttermost, I have to remind myself that God’s mercy was even available to him
That is really amazing that even in God’s anger towards to Cain He has mercy for Him by appointing a sign so that no one would kill him and if they did vengeance would be taken on them seven fold. Wendy
It is awesome to think about. Satan loves us to to languish is condemnation and guilt. God is always after restoration and redemption. He also always directs to us de-escalate the conflict. The murder of Cain could have easily led to even greater violence… humanly speaking we can be way too fast to escalate the situation instead of difusing it. Proverbs 3:3 KJV “King James Bible
Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:”
Knowing that we are pre-disposed by the fall to wrath and vengeance serve as a warning from God to not fall prey to these things. In these verses I can hear His warning to me…. sin is crouching at your door.. Choose mercy, choose love, choose forgiveness dear One. It is also tough for us to really really accept and believe that He has forgiven us and is merciful towards us. It is hard to imagine ourselves as the prodigal son returned and truly loved and rejoiced over. Scripture assures us that we are.. and it was Christ who was slain for us.. not the fatted cat. So how much more valuable and precious are we to our Heavenly Father.
Genesis 4 WEB “25 Adam knew his wife again. She gave birth to a son, and named him Seth, saying, “for God has given me another child instead of Abel, for Cain killed him.” 26 A son was also born to Seth, and he named him Enosh. At that time men began to call on Yahweh’s name.”
As a mama with wee ones that went right from the womb to the Father, this is quite a comfort. We see this repeat in the book of Job. His 10 children die in a disaster and then he goes on to have 10 more. Children are so precious in our sight. I find it assuring that God is a God of great justice. He restores, redeems and has so from the beginning.
Matthew 19:29 “And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.”
Yes Justice for sure however I have to admit I’ve questioned whether the replacement of 10 children after the loss of the first 10 children ,completely heals heartache and loss of those who were uniquely loved for the individuals they were. Just something I’ve puzzled over and need to trust that God could bring a perfect healing in this case.
Karen
I have heard some teach it that this is actually an assurance that the ten that died would be with him eternally as he was blessed with a double blessing for his former trouble. This lines up with my own gut understanding of the verse. If he had 20 more, the suggestion is that the first were lost. When I consider my children through this lens, the 3 that are with the Father are actually not deceased but very much alive and healthier than all of us here on earth.
That is a very helpful and comforting way to understand this. We are just passing through this earthly realm and there are so many examples of His overwhelming ,cup overflowing, leftover more than enough baskets of provision that it’s not hard to imagine that eternity with Him will more than make up for perceived losses here,
Karen
In James 2:13NASV For judgement will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgement. It is a good reminder to us to show mercy and not judgment. Wendy
His Mercy is beyond my understanding but I’m so thankful for it!
Karen
AMEN!!!!
So we will jump in with Job tomorrow. I think the first 2 chapters and the last 2 will be the focus if you want to pre-read and meditate on them. I plan to meditate on these things so that they get down into my heart and don’t just get plucked away having been head knowledge with no roots. I also have taking daily communion on my heart right now. I am looking for a video that teaches this well and respects the perhaps more common practice of taking communion as a body but also provides for the option of taking communion at home. Blessings and hugs to you all.
Yes! i’m So thankful for the distractions of our normal routines being halted so that we have more than enough time to meditate and chew on the Word. May it go deep into our spirits ! Although with 4 kids at home it may be even more of a challenge for you Lisa! Thank you and blessings on your day!
Yes I was just writing my comment Karen when I read yours. I am so thankful that He is a God of mercy and love and it IS beyond our understanding for sure. It goes right back to that verse we all know and love John 3:16 For God SO loved the world….. thanks be to God even when I didn’t deserve it He gave me a way to salvation and a relationship with Him. Wow when you really stop and think about that it just blows my mind and breaks my heart with love for Him.
Blessings and hugs to you Lisa. Thanks for doing this. It is a really good focus for us in these days. Wendy
Good morning Lisa! Kim McCuaig apparently isn’t on your email list and she would like to take part in the online study. Could you forward your invite and blog to her with how to connect up? Her email is kimmccuaig38@gmail.com Karen
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