And there will be enmity between you and the serpent

[Black_Dog]

I keep being draw to this. What does it mean? What are the repercussions for the human race? I do have my own ideas but before I run off and start my own cult I thought it best to try and find out what the Church teaches. I 'm not sure why but I just feel that piece of Scripture is very important.

Any thoughts?

 

[Subrosa]

Read Revelations chapter 12 for a good start.

Sub

 

[Todd_Easton]

This passage is discussed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 410 & 411. It says, in part:This passage in Genesis is called the Protoevangelium (“first gospel”): the first announcement of the Messiah and Redeemer, of a battle between the serpent and the Woman, and of the final victory of a descendant of hers. (410)

 

[Nita]

“I will put enmity between you and the woman, …”

“the woman” is seen to be a prophetic reference to Mary, the mother of Jesus. Note that “woman” is singular and preceded by the article “the” - thus it is not a reference to women in general.

One application of this verse is in connection with the Church doctrine of the Immaculate Conception - that God freed Mary from original sin from the very first moment of her conception. “Enmity” is interpreted as showing there was never any communion??? (not sure if that’s the correct word to use) between Mary and the devil - thus Mary was never in the state of sin.

Nita

 

[tm30]

I keep being draw to this. What does it mean? What are the repercussions for the human race? I do have my own ideas but before I run off and start my own cult I thought it best to try and find out what the Church teaches. I 'm not sure why but I just feel that piece of Scripture is very important.

Any thoughts?

This is a multi-faceted declaration:

1. The woman is Mary, the offspring is Jesus
2. The woman is the Church, the offspring is everyone entrusted to Mary by Jesus as their Mother, from the cross. i.e., the members of the Church.
3. The woman is Israel (the Old Covenant), the offspring is the gentile Church (the New Covenant

What’s interesting in the case of scenario 2, is that we, the Church, are commanded by God not to be passive, but to strike at the head of Satan as he attacks our heel.

 

[Dtmccameron]

This is a multi-faceted declaration:

1. The woman is Mary, the offspring is Jesus
2. The woman is the Church, the offspring is everyone entrusted to Mary by Jesus as their Mother, from the cross. i.e., the members of the Church.
3. The woman is Israel (the Old Covenant), the offspring is the gentile Church (the New Covenant

What’s interesting in the case of scenario 2, is that we, the Church, are commanded by God not to be passive, but to strike at the head of Satan as he attacks our heel.

Hmmm! I’ve a thought, though it’s not very well…formulated. Is there anything particularily profound in that the serpent attacks our heel? Or that we attack his head?

What would be significant about attacking the head? We slay it in one blow, we damage it’s most important member, we destroy it’s center of control and thought.

But our heel? A serpent’s venom works just as well there than anywhere, but …Our heel is behind up. We cant see us, and it’s as far away from our heads and hearts as can be. The snake attacks from behind, at the members farthest from our center, at that slightly calloused area we can’t keep an eye on…

Anything?

 

[Ruthie]

What would be significant about attacking the head? We slay it in one blow, we damage it’s most important member, we destroy it’s center of control and thought.

But our heel? A serpent’s venom works just as well there than anywhere, but …Our heel is behind up. We cant see us, and it’s as far away from our heads and hearts as can be. The snake attacks from behind, at the members farthest from our center, at that slightly calloused area we can’t keep an eye on…

Excellent thought, Cameron!

Since the serpent “was more subtle than any other wild creature that the LORD God had made,” it would naturally strike at our heel, the furthest thing from our head. I mean that both literally and figuratively! Satan doesn’t just come up to us and say, “worship me.” He strikes at our “Achilles heel” to subtly bring us down.

I think that a dislike of snakes is pretty much natural to us. Our first reaction is “Eek!” An appreciation for snakes (as creations of God) is an acquired taste. That’s one result of Gen 3:15.

Blessings,

Ruthie