This question comes from Genesis 3, verse 15. Satan, the ‘anointed cherub that covereth’ was the guardian angel appointed to watch over our first parents (Ezekiel 28:13-17). We know that he lured Eve into eating the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. As a punishment, God pronounced that He would “put enmity (hostility) between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel,” Genesis 3:15 (RSV).
Here God is talking to Satan – the serpent of the Garden of Eden. Satan tempted Eve, so Eve is the woman in the verse. God tells Satan that He will make Satan and the children of Eve enemies. The seed of Eve is the entire human race. All mankind has suffered because of sin, but God’s promise to save the race is through our Lord Jesus. He was born of a woman and was also a perfect man. He alone would be able to provide a ransom to save the human race from sin and death.
Satan knew he had to stop Jesus. He knew Jesus was the son of God as well as a descendant of Eve. Satan knew Jesus had power that God gave him through the holy spirit. He knew Jesus was a threat to him. He did not understand that Jesus’ death was necessary to save mankind from sin. When Jesus would not swear loyalty to Satan during the temptations in the wilderness (Matthew 4:9,10), Satan decided to arrange for Jesus’ death.
What a horrible plan! Satan wanted to eliminate his biggest competitor and negate the curse put upon him by God. If he got rid of Jesus (this would, indeed, strike the heel of the woman’s most precious seed). Then the seed of the woman could not crush his head! And Satan thought he had succeeded! Jesus was crucified, his followers scattered. It seemed to be a complete defeat for God’s side. In reality, Satan fulfilled God’s plan for His Son’s sacrifice for mankind. By doing this, Satan sealed his own fate. Jesus and his Church will crush the head of Satan, forever. How wonderful is our God, knowing the end from the beginning!
