God makes a promise of hope even as he gives his judgment on sin. In fact, it is the very first thing he does. Before he speaks about the consequences for Adam and Eve in terms of their relationship and childbirth and the challenge of producing food from the earth – he first addresses their enemy. God tells the serpent who thinks he has just won the battle by separating God and humankind and caused death to enter the world – that the battle is not over. There will be another day coming when a human being will reverse the failure of the Fall.

In the original language of the bible the two words crush, and strike are the same Greek word. The scripture is telling us that our Saviour will win his victory by losing his life. Adam and Eve had no idea how that would come to pass, but we know because the promise has been fulfilled in Jesus.