The Victory of the Conquering Seed
"I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel." (Genesis 3:15)
The Promise in the Garden
“Rise, the woman’s conquering Seed, bruise in us the serpent’s head.” These words from Hark! The Herald Angels Sing echo the first gospel proclamation, spoken by God in Genesis 3:15. In the wake of humanity’s greatest failure, when sin had entered the world and death began its reign, God’s mercy shone through in a promise.
The serpent, though triumphant in tempting Adam and Eve, would not have the final victory. God declared that the offspring of the woman would bruise the serpent’s head, delivering a fatal blow. Yes, the serpent would strike His heel, but this momentary wound would pale in comparison to the eternal triumph of the conquering Seed.
This promise, made in the garden, was the first note of the gospel—a melody that would echo throughout Scripture, crescendoing in the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The Promise Through the Ages
God’s promise in the garden did not fade into obscurity. It grew louder and clearer as He unfolded His plan of redemption through His covenants and promises to His people.
To Abraham, God said, “In your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed” (Genesis 22:18). The conquering Seed would come through Abraham’s line, bringing salvation to the whole world.
To Judah, Jacob prophesied, “The scepter shall not depart from Judah... and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples” (Genesis 49:10). The Seed would be a King, ruling with authority over all nations.
To David, God promised, “Your throne shall be established forever” (2 Samuel 7:16). The Seed would also be the Son of David, reigning eternally as the King of kings.
Through these promises, God revealed His unchanging purpose: to send a Redeemer who would crush the serpent, break the power of sin, and establish an everlasting kingdom.
The Genealogy of Jesus
Matthew’s genealogy proclaims that Jesus is the fulfillment of every promise. It is His family tree—not merely a list of names, but a testimony to God’s faithfulness across generations.
This family tree is full of kings—some who ruled with faithfulness and others who plunged the nation into idolatry. There are patriarchs like Abraham and Isaac, who walked in covenant with God, and figures like Manasseh, a king so wicked that he led Judah into abominable practices. There are ordinary people like Boaz and Ruth, whose quiet faithfulness played a vital role in God’s plan.
And there are surprising names—Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba—Gentiles and women, reminders that God’s plan was always to include the outsider, the overlooked, and the sinner in His story of redemption.
This is the goodness of the promise God made in the garden: despite humanity’s sin and rebellion, despite the failures of the kings and the flaws of the people, God’s plan never faltered. Every name in Jesus’ genealogy testifies to His faithfulness. The conquering Seed came not through perfect people but through God’s perfect plan.
Crushing Satan's Head
Jesus fulfilled the promise of Genesis 3:15 at the cross. The serpent struck His heel—inflicting suffering, shame, and death. But in His death, Jesus crushed the serpent’s head. The cross was the serpent’s apparent victory, but it became his eternal defeat.
Through His resurrection, Jesus triumphed over sin, death, and the devil. As Paul writes, “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him” (Colossians 2:15). The conquering Seed did not only defeat the serpent; He began the work of making all things new.
The hymn prays, “Bruise in us the serpent’s head,” reminding us that Christ’s victory is not just something we look back on; it is something we experience now. He is at work in us, breaking the power of sin, transforming our hearts, and bringing His triumph to bear in our daily lives.
Living in Light of the Promise
How do we live in light of the promise fulfilled in Christ?
Rest in God’s faithfulness. Jesus’ family tree is a testament to God’s ability to accomplish His purposes despite human weakness and failure. Are you trusting His faithfulness in your life?
Rejoice in Christ’s victory. The serpent has been defeated, and sin no longer has ultimate power over you. Are you living in the joy and freedom of that victory?
Hope in His return. The conquering Seed will return to complete His work, to destroy the serpent fully, and to reign forever. Does this hope shape how you live today?
The Triumph of Advent
Advent is a season of waiting, but it is not idle waiting. It is a season of joyful expectation, a time to remember the promises fulfilled in Christ’s first coming and to look forward to the promises yet to come.
As we sing, “Rise, the woman’s conquering Seed, bruise in us the serpent’s head,” let us marvel at the faithfulness of God, rejoice in the victory of Christ, and live in hope of His glorious return. The serpent is crushed, the promise is fulfilled, and the King is coming.
Throughout this Advent season, Pastor Josh is writing devotionals as a companion piece to Pastor Tim's sermons. This devotional was inspired by Sunday's sermon, "Conquering Seed." You can find all sermons in this series by clicking here.
The Promise in the Garden
“Rise, the woman’s conquering Seed, bruise in us the serpent’s head.” These words from Hark! The Herald Angels Sing echo the first gospel proclamation, spoken by God in Genesis 3:15. In the wake of humanity’s greatest failure, when sin had entered the world and death began its reign, God’s mercy shone through in a promise.
The serpent, though triumphant in tempting Adam and Eve, would not have the final victory. God declared that the offspring of the woman would bruise the serpent’s head, delivering a fatal blow. Yes, the serpent would strike His heel, but this momentary wound would pale in comparison to the eternal triumph of the conquering Seed.
This promise, made in the garden, was the first note of the gospel—a melody that would echo throughout Scripture, crescendoing in the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The Promise Through the Ages
God’s promise in the garden did not fade into obscurity. It grew louder and clearer as He unfolded His plan of redemption through His covenants and promises to His people.
To Abraham, God said, “In your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed” (Genesis 22:18). The conquering Seed would come through Abraham’s line, bringing salvation to the whole world.
To Judah, Jacob prophesied, “The scepter shall not depart from Judah... and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples” (Genesis 49:10). The Seed would be a King, ruling with authority over all nations.
To David, God promised, “Your throne shall be established forever” (2 Samuel 7:16). The Seed would also be the Son of David, reigning eternally as the King of kings.
Through these promises, God revealed His unchanging purpose: to send a Redeemer who would crush the serpent, break the power of sin, and establish an everlasting kingdom.
The Genealogy of Jesus
Matthew’s genealogy proclaims that Jesus is the fulfillment of every promise. It is His family tree—not merely a list of names, but a testimony to God’s faithfulness across generations.
This family tree is full of kings—some who ruled with faithfulness and others who plunged the nation into idolatry. There are patriarchs like Abraham and Isaac, who walked in covenant with God, and figures like Manasseh, a king so wicked that he led Judah into abominable practices. There are ordinary people like Boaz and Ruth, whose quiet faithfulness played a vital role in God’s plan.
And there are surprising names—Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba—Gentiles and women, reminders that God’s plan was always to include the outsider, the overlooked, and the sinner in His story of redemption.
This is the goodness of the promise God made in the garden: despite humanity’s sin and rebellion, despite the failures of the kings and the flaws of the people, God’s plan never faltered. Every name in Jesus’ genealogy testifies to His faithfulness. The conquering Seed came not through perfect people but through God’s perfect plan.
Crushing Satan's Head
Jesus fulfilled the promise of Genesis 3:15 at the cross. The serpent struck His heel—inflicting suffering, shame, and death. But in His death, Jesus crushed the serpent’s head. The cross was the serpent’s apparent victory, but it became his eternal defeat.
Through His resurrection, Jesus triumphed over sin, death, and the devil. As Paul writes, “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him” (Colossians 2:15). The conquering Seed did not only defeat the serpent; He began the work of making all things new.
The hymn prays, “Bruise in us the serpent’s head,” reminding us that Christ’s victory is not just something we look back on; it is something we experience now. He is at work in us, breaking the power of sin, transforming our hearts, and bringing His triumph to bear in our daily lives.
Living in Light of the Promise
How do we live in light of the promise fulfilled in Christ?
Rest in God’s faithfulness. Jesus’ family tree is a testament to God’s ability to accomplish His purposes despite human weakness and failure. Are you trusting His faithfulness in your life?
Rejoice in Christ’s victory. The serpent has been defeated, and sin no longer has ultimate power over you. Are you living in the joy and freedom of that victory?
Hope in His return. The conquering Seed will return to complete His work, to destroy the serpent fully, and to reign forever. Does this hope shape how you live today?
The Triumph of Advent
Advent is a season of waiting, but it is not idle waiting. It is a season of joyful expectation, a time to remember the promises fulfilled in Christ’s first coming and to look forward to the promises yet to come.
As we sing, “Rise, the woman’s conquering Seed, bruise in us the serpent’s head,” let us marvel at the faithfulness of God, rejoice in the victory of Christ, and live in hope of His glorious return. The serpent is crushed, the promise is fulfilled, and the King is coming.
Throughout this Advent season, Pastor Josh is writing devotionals as a companion piece to Pastor Tim's sermons. This devotional was inspired by Sunday's sermon, "Conquering Seed." You can find all sermons in this series by clicking here.
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