What is the promise in Genesis 3:15?
The promise in Genesis 3:15 is that God will put enmity between Satan and the woman, and between Satan's seed and her seed, which is Christ. This establishes a running battle between Satan and Jesus Christ from that moment on, as Satan tries to disrupt God's program.
Les explains that in Genesis 3:15 God is speaking to Satan, who precipitated all of this, and says, 'I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed.' Les points out that this does not mean much without the rest of Scripture, but Galatians tells us the seed of the woman is Christ. So what we really have is a promise of a running battle between Satan and Jesus Christ, which continues from that moment on. Les illustrates that just as soon as Satan understands God's particular program, he comes in and tries to disrupt it. For example, after God made the covenant with Abraham, Satan began a process that has run for over 4,000 years to destroy the nation of Israel, because God promised that everything would be fulfilled through that little nation. If Satan could destroy the Jew, he would thwart God's plan for the ages. So everything begins right here with this running battle. Les then notes that when you skip to verse 17, God speaks to Adam about the curse on the ground, but the promise of Genesis 3:15 is the enmity between Satan and the woman's seed, Christ.
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.