You've been rejected. You laid your heart out for someone you love, and they've denied your offer. The pain is real. The heartache immense.
HOW WOULD YOU RESPOND?
We're about to see how God responds to what's happened in the story so far. After creating the earth for mankind, giving them life, placing them inside a perfect world, and designing them to enjoy a relationship with Him, they have turned from His offer by doing the only thing they were told not to do.
He could reject them. He could scold them. He could turn His back on them for what they've done. Anything God does in this moment would arguably be the right move.
WHAT RIGHT WOULD ADAM OR EVE HAVE TO TELL HIM,
"THAT'S NOT FAIR! WE'VE EARNED A SECOND CHANCE. WE DESERVE IT!"
Thinking about this moment, it wouldn't be a surprise if God left them to deal with the fall out of their decision. In fact, what God does next is the most shocking thing that could happen in this story.
HE GOES AFTER HIS BROKEN CREATION.
Without a doubt, Gods response to what happened had to have shocked everyone. He goes after Adam and Eve, and does so by FIRST addressing the serpent, Satan. The story tells us that God looks at Satan and professes...
"I will put enmity between you and the woman. Between your offspring and hers. He will crush your head and you will strike his heal" - Genesis 3:15
Though these words can sound confusing, through them, God snatches His creation from the hopeless state sin threatened to leave it in. Satan must have recoiled in a wondrous rage. What was God saying? How was God not rejecting Adam and Even like he had been?
BUT SATAN KNEW THE ANSWER.
HE HAD HORRIBLE UNDERESTIMATED GODS LOVE FOR MANKIND.
Satan knew Gods words weren't random--they were a calculated promise. God was stating that, although others would wage war against the welfare of mankind and the will of God (the serpents offspring), He would provide a descendant from the line of mankind. Someone would one day come who would ultimately claim victory over Satan, sin and death.