Genesis 3:15 is the first promise of a Redeemer, declaring that the seed of the woman — Christ — would defeat Satan.
God gave this promise immediately after Adam and Eve fell into sin. The verse foretells that the seed of the woman would bruise the serpent's head, while the serpent would bruise His heel. Les teaches that this took place at the cross, where Christ suffered but literally defeated Satan.
Genesis 3:15 — This is the verse in question — God's promise of enmity between the serpent and the woman, and the bruising of the serpent's head by her seed.
In Genesis 3:15, God speaks directly to the serpent after Adam and Eve's fall: '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.' The verse declares a coming conflict between the serpent and the woman's offspring, with the woman's seed bruising the serpent's head while being bruised on the heel. Paul later identifies the promised seed in Galatians 3:16: 'Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.' The Bible itself, therefore, links the promised seed to Christ.
Les teaches that Genesis 3:15 is one of the primary verses of the book of Genesis and the first prophecy of the coming Redeemer. God made this promise to the serpent immediately after Adam sinned, promising a Redeemer who would be the seed of the woman — the Christ. The verse sets up a long enmity between Satan and the Son of God: the seed of the woman would bruise the head of the serpent, while the serpent would bruise the Redeemer's heel. Les explains that this was fulfilled at the cross. When the seed of the woman bruised the head of Satan, Christ literally defeated Satan, and the serpent's bruising of His heel refers to the suffering Christ endured in crucifixion. Les also describes Genesis 3:15 as the outset of the scarlet thread of salvation that carries all the way through Scripture — connecting the promise to Galatians 3:16, where Paul identifies the seed as Christ. Eve herself had this promise in mind, so she expected her firstborn might be the Redeemer.
Les teaches that the seed of the woman is the Christ. Paul confirms this in Galatians 3:16, where he writes that the promises were made to Abraham's seed — 'which is Christ.' Les points out that this is how the promise falls into place: the woman's seed who would defeat Satan is the same seed promised to Abraham. The evidence also shows that Adam and Eve understood this promise, because Eve expressed the hope that her first son might be the Redeemer.
Les teaches that the language of bruising the serpent's head points to total defeat. A serpent can survive having its tail cut off or even being segmented, but it must be destroyed by an attack on the head. This is why the language is used: Christ literally defeated Satan at the cross, bruising the head of the serpent.
Les explains that the serpent would 'get his licks in' by bruising the heel of the Redeemer. This language foretells the crucifixion — the suffering Christ endured. It all took place at the cross: Satan was involved in bringing about Christ's suffering, but the cross is also where Satan was defeated.
Les calls Genesis 3:15 the beginning of the scarlet thread of salvation that starts there and carries all the way through Scripture. It is the first prophecy of the Redeemer, given as soon as Adam sinned. Les connects it to Galatians 3:16, where the promised seed is identified as Christ, showing how the promise of the woman's seed runs through the biblical narrative.
Why Christ Had to Be Virgin Born — Romans 9 & Genesis 3:15
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The First Prophecy of the Redeemer
Les identifies Genesis 3:15 as one of the primary verses of Genesis and the first prophecy of the coming Redeemer, given by God to the serpent after the fall.
The Enmity Between Satan and the Redeemer
Les explains that the verse foretells the long enmity between Satan and the Son of God, with the serpent bruising the heel of the Redeemer.
Christ's Victory at the Cross
Les teaches that the bruising of the serpent's head took place at the cross, where Christ literally defeated Satan.
Promised Immediately After the Fall
Les shows that God promised a Redeemer — the seed of the woman, who is the Christ — immediately after Adam sinned.
The Scarlet Thread of Salvation
Les describes Genesis 3:15 as the beginning of the scarlet thread of redemption that runs through all of Scripture.
The Seed Identified as Christ
Les connects Genesis 3:15 with Galatians 3:16, where Paul identifies the promised seed of Abraham as Christ.
Eve's Expectation of the Redeemer
Les explains that Adam and Eve knew the promise of the woman's seed who would defeat Satan, which is why Eve thought her firstborn might be the Redeemer.
Genesis 3:15: 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.
The central verse of the question — God's first promise of a Redeemer who would defeat the serpent.
Galatians 3:16: Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
Paul's identification of the promised seed as Christ, which Les connects directly to the seed of the woman in Genesis 3:15.
Because it is the first place God promised a Redeemer who would be the seed of the woman. Les teaches that immediately after Adam sinned, God promised the Redeemer who would make the way back to God possible, and that this promise begins the scarlet thread of salvation that runs through Scripture.
Les teaches that the serpent is Satan and the seed of the woman is Christ. The verse foretells the enmity between them: the seed of the woman would bruise the head of the serpent, while the serpent would bruise His heel.
Les teaches that it took place at the cross. Christ literally defeated Satan at the cross, bruising the head of the serpent, while Satan bruised the heel of the Redeemer by bringing about His suffering.
In Galatians 3:16, Paul writes that the promises were made to Abraham's seed — 'which is Christ.' Les points to this verse to show that the promised seed of the woman is the same promised seed: Christ.
Watch the Teaching: Why Christ Had to Be Virgin Born — Romans 9 & Genesis 3:15