So the Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, “Cursed are you above all livestock and all wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life. And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” To the woman he said, “I will make your pains in childbearing very severe; with painful labor you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.” To Adam he said, “Because you listened to your wife and ate fruit from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat from it,’ “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.”

—Genesis 3:14-19

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Blessings Through the Curse
By Jennifer Kane

The serpent whispered, the woman fell,
The man stood silent as sin befell.
The garden wept, the earth was torn,
A curse pronounced, and life forlorn.

Yet in the shadow of the blame,
A promise glimmered through the shame.
From enmity, a seed would rise,
To crush the head, to heal, to prize.

The ground would groan, the thorns would sting,
Yet hope would bloom, redemption bring.
Through toil and sweat, man’s hands would bleed,
Yet bread of life would meet their need.

The pain of birth, the cries of Eve,
Would birth a Savior, to believe.
From curse to cross, the story spun,
God’s faithful promise—His risen Son.

What seems a loss, He bends for gain,
Through every sorrow, through every pain.
His mercy weaves through judgment’s thread,
In Christ, the curse of death is shed.

So when the weight of life feels grim,
Remember, trust, and cling to Him.
For even curses bear His grace,
And in His promises, find your place.

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Scriptures: Genesis 3:14–19

The curses in Genesis 3 are heavy and sobering. Through Adam and Eve’s disobedience, sin entered the world, bringing pain, toil, and death. Yet, even in the midst of these judgments, God’s grace shines through, turning curses into avenues for blessing and redemption.

God’s curse on the serpent included the first promise of salvation. Genesis 3:15, often called the proto-evangelium or “first gospel,” foretells the coming of Jesus Christ. The Seed of the woman (Jesus) would crush the serpent’s head, securing ultimate victory over sin and Satan.

Blessing: From the curse of the serpent came the promise of a Savior who would triumph over evil for all humanity.

The curse multiplied sorrow and pain in childbearing. Yet, through childbearing came the ultimate blessing: the birth of Jesus. Mary, a descendant of Eve, brought forth the Savior who would redeem the world.

Blessing: The pain of childbirth symbolizes the suffering that brings forth new life — both physically and spiritually. It reminds us of the joy and redemption found in Christ.

Adam’s curse turned joyful work into laborious toil, and the ground began to produce thorns and thistles. Yet Jesus, crowned with thorns, bore the curse of sin for us. He transformed our labor into an opportunity to glorify God and find purpose.

Blessing: Though work is challenging, it refines our character and teaches us dependence on God. Christ’s sacrifice redeems our labor, giving it eternal significance.

The final curse, death, loomed over all humanity. Yet, through Jesus’ death and resurrection, the curse of death is reversed. For believers, death becomes the doorway to eternal life.

Blessing: What once symbolized defeat now signifies victory. In Christ, we are no longer bound by death but have the promise of life everlasting.

The story of Genesis 3 reminds us that God’s redemptive plan is woven even into the darkest moments. When we face the consequences of sin, we can trust that God can bring blessings from our brokenness. Consider areas in your life that feel cursed or hopeless. Surrender them to God, knowing He can transform pain into purpose and suffering into salvation.

So this week, reflect on the blessings God has brought out of challenges in your life. Write them down and share one with a friend or family member to encourage them. Let your story testify to God’s power to bring beauty from ashes.

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Father, thank You for Your redemptive plan that turns curses into blessings. Help me to trust in Your grace and goodness, even in the midst of pain and toil. Thank You for sending Jesus to bear the curse of sin and bring us eternal life. Transform my struggles into opportunities to glorify You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

January 2 2025