The serpent cursed: Blessings and curses

“So the LORD God said to the serpent: 'Because you did 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). The serpent has many names, which we need to know if we are to understand the various scriptures about him. He is the great dragon, the Devil, Satan etc. (Revelation 12:9). Satan can transform himself into an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). Now angels can manifest in various ways,  including as human (Hebrews 13:2).  Satan had manifest himself in the Garden as the serpent. We do not know the original form he took when tempting Eve, but he was likely beautiful and upright. If this were not the case why would the curse result in him crawling in his belly and eating dirt?  It is a sign of disgrace and humiliation by the way! And since that time Satan and his angels are pictured as despised snakes and scorpions (i.e Luke 10:19).  

But what does it mean to be cursed of God? We get something of a  picture from the first man God cursed.  Adam and Eve's firstborn son Cain had risen up and slain his brother Abel (Genesis 4:1, 2, 8). And God cursed Cain as follows “Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. When you till the ground, it will no longer yield its crops to you. You will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth” (Genesis 4:11, 12).

Cain was cast out from the fruitful land, and had no place to call home. Likewise the devil and his angels were expelled from heaven and cast down to the earth (Revelation 12:9 again).  Satan now wanders the earth seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). With regrade to not bearing  crops, Satan cannot produce life in any form. The best he can do is to kill, steal and destroy (John 10:10a). He can also lie, in fact he is the original deceiver. He can imitate signs and wonders (2 Thessalonians 2:9), but he cannot produce fruit (Galatians 5:22, 23).  For this reason Jesus told us that it is by their fruit you will know them (Matthew 7:16).  

Satan was cursed, and it fact so are the “seed of the serpent” (Genesis 3:15),  all those who go the way of Cain. After Adam and Eve had in essence chosen rules over relationship there was need of a whole bunch of new rules, and God brought in the Law (Exodus 20:1-17). Living under the Law was tough, for “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do  all things which are written in the book of the law”  (Deuteronomy 27:26). But it's impossible to live up to all that is written (James 3:2).  But for God! Paul quotes Deuteronomy in order to say that “Christ has set us free from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us, for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree'” (Galatians 3:10, 13). The tree of course is the cross!

Father, thank You Lord that Jesus took our curse in order that we might receive Your blessing (Ephesians 1:3).  You did this Lord so that you could be just and the justifier of those who put their trust in You (Romans 3:26). Thank You Lord,  in Jesus Name Amen