We are always amazed when we observe the order in nature which the LORD in HIS sovereign wisdom and purpose has created. All things which HE has made are ordained for our learning. Though this earth shall pass away in flaming fire, yet as the LORD has made it and does sustain it, HE would teach us many lessons about HIS everlasting kingdom through the observation of that carnal and temporary creation. HE has made it out of nothing; (see Heb.11:3) and causes it to continue daily, fulfilling every detail which HE has designed.
The sun and the moon are given to remind us, that any light which we might possess, is but reflected from HIM who is the LIGHT of the World. The flight of birds, flittering here and there, remind us that all things occur according to HIS will. “Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.” (Isa 46:11) “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.” (Mat 10:29) Even the movement of the leaves of the trees as the gentle breezes blow, remind us that all of Creation shall praise HIM. “For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” (Isa 55:12)
One of the most memorable parables which the LORD taught used the illustration of a sower of seed and the various types of soil into which these seed fell. Each time we look upon a field which has brought forth an abundant crop we are reminded of HIM who sowed the seed, caused it to sprout, and brought forth bounty out of the abundance of HIS mercy. HE truly doeth all things well. More importantly we are taught by this illustration of HIS sovereign grace in bringing forth vessels unto honor and some to dishonor as it hath pleased HIM.
In like fashion we see the creation of a serpent which was cursed and relegated to crawl in the dust of the earth. There are a few folks in the earth who enjoy fellowship with serpents of one type or another, but most people have no affection for these slithering reptiles. In this carnal illustration, as we see men having “enmity” towards these creatures, we see the truth that GOD has set forth an epic battle between that which is “of the flesh” and that which is “of the SPIRIT”.
The LORD cursed the serpent to show HIS rejection of Satan, the father of lies. The SEED of the woman is CHRIST, and the seed of Satan are those who are “of their father, the devil” even as the LORD described those who would not (i.e.; could not) hear HIM. “Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.” (John 8:43-45)
The LORD later, said “But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:26-27) This is further explained as HE taught Nicodemus of the necessity of the new birth, using the wind as an illustration, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.” (John 3:6-8) All of these things occur according to the good pleasure of GOD and not according to the will of the creature, who is dead in trespasses and sin.
The word “enmity” appears eight times in the KJV Bible. Three times in the Old Testament and five times in the New. The meaning of the word in the Hebrew and the Greek is the same: “hostility or hatred; by implication a reason for opposition”. It is interesting to consider that this enmity which exists between the SEED of the woman and the seed of Satan, did not just happen or occur randomly, but the LORD “put” this “enmity” between them according to HIS design. This “enmity” is the reason given for the desire of Satan to destroy CHRIST and is certainly demonstrated in the purpose of the LORD JESUS to crush the head of Satan, and make a show of defeating him openly. (see Col.2:15) Though Satan was used to bruise the heel of CHRIST, yet this bruising was without power and only fulfilled the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of GOD. (see Acts 2:23) and we see CHRIST, thereby, completely triumphing over all of the principalities of darkness and the inhabitants therein.
While we see GOD’s purpose unfolded as HE “put enmity” between the serpent and the woman, along with her SEED and his, we see an even greater demonstration of HIS power as CHRIST came to take away that enmity for those who are the objects of HIS redemption.
Even though Pilate and Herod were at “enmity” with one another in times past (see Luke 23:12), they became friends as they bonded about the matter of condemning the spotless LAMB of GOD, as Luke reports in the book of Acts, “The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.” (Acts 4:26-28) In this we see the concerted effort of the whole world to destroy HIM who is the HEIR of all things, even as the LORD taught in the parable of the wicked tenants. “But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him.” (Mat 21:37-39)
“The carnal mind is enmity with GOD”. (Rom.8:7) Yet CHRIST has come to cast down the wicked imaginations of HIS elect, calling them out of darkness and bringing them into subjection to HIM according to HIS mercy. “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh.” (Rom 8:2-3) “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” (Rom 5:10) “Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD'S hand double for all her sins.” (Isa 40:2) Our arms of rebellion are cast down at HIS feet and we gladly serve HIM whom we formerly despised. This is the reconciliation which HE came to accomplish.
The Law of Moses created a division between those who were of Abraham’s lineage and those who were not. This division served the purpose of demonstrating that the LORD has a people in the Earth whom HE will bless. Yet just as the Law could not continue by reason of the weakness of the flesh so too has this division been forever taken away. “Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby.” (Eph 2:15-16) Jew and Gentile alike are made one in CHRIST who is the SAVIOR of the world. “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.” (1John 3:14)