Lesson Twelve: Foreshadowing in Genesis 3:15

33. The heightened sense of themselves causes the humans to experience shame and guilt. 34. The latter condition of humanity is as innocent as the beginning of the Creation narrative. 35. The instructor proposes that Adam and Eve’s expulsion from the Garden of Eden is an act of mercy.

For Reflection:

In the 16th century, the word “prevarication” meant "going astray," or "stepping out of line." It comes from the Latin root word prevaricating, which translates as "walk crookedly." In other words, the term “equivocating” means “speaking in a way that is intentionally not clear and confusing to others, especially to hide the truth.” Explain how the words “prevarication” and “equivocating” relate to Genesis, Chapter 3. (Write five-eight sentences. Edit your writing to correct errors. Post the reflection on the discussion board. Label the post: A Reflection on The Serpent’s Deception in Genesis, Chapter 3.) For Reflection: The Hillsdale College lecturer, Dr. Jackson, asserts that God would have given Adam and Eve permission to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil if they had obeyed His command. They would have gained a higher knowledge of goodness if they had abstained and allowed themselves to grow. Tell why you agree or disagree with this supposition? (Write fiveeight sentences. Edit your writing to correct errors. Post the reflection on the discussion board. Label the post: A Reflection on Humanity and the Forbidden Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.)

For Reflection

Explain how the popular survival television show “Naked and Afraid” on the Discovery Channel alludes to Genesis, Chapter 3. Why is shame associated with nakedness? Use credible sources to write your reflection. Document the sources. Edit your writing to correct errors. Post the reflection on the discussion board. Label the post: A Reflection on the Shame in Nakedness.

A Closing Thought:

“The observant Jew has his own sense of values. Torah Judaism is his blueprint for this life, his target for existence."

-Meir Kahan

LESSON TWELVE FORESHADOWING IN GENESIS 3:15 (THE PROTOEVANGELIUM)

Lesson Overview:

Genesis 3:15 reads, “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.” This passage of Hebrew Scriptures introduces the two elements basic to the Christian faith- the curse on humanity because of Adam’s sin in the Garden of Eden and God’s provision for man’s redemption through His son, Jesus. In Christian tradition, Jesus takes the curse upon Himself to redeem humanity. Genesis 3:15 is known as the Protoevangelium, or the first Gospel. In the Christian faith, Jesus crushes the head of the serpent through His sacrificial death by crucifixion. The ultimate victory is God’s by removing the serpent’s power over humanity. This lesson examines the literary device of foreshadowing in Genesis 3:15 in which the OT writer gives an advance hint of what develops later in the Christian biblical plot development.

Key Concepts:

gospel, adjudication, protoevangelium, foreshadowing, curse, symbol, pronouncement, seed, enmity

Lesson Objectives:

Students will:

 summarize the main ideas in Genesis 3:15.  explain terminology associated with the literary elements of biblical text, including foreshadowing.  understand the Christian concept of protoevangelium.  distinguish between the figurative and literal textual expressions.  edit writing to correct errors standard English usage.  participate in class discussions.

Learning Outcomes:

At the end on this lesson, students will be able to:  demonstrate a general knowledge of the Book of Genesis, Chapter 3.  use terminology associated with the literary elements of biblical text, such as protoevangelium, foreshadowing, and prophecy.  distinguish between the figurative and literal textual expressions.

 edit writing to correct errors standard English usage.  participate in class discussions.

Duration: 2-3 hours

Materials:

 Article: Genesis 3:15 The Protoevangelium or “First Gospel” (https://biblescripture.net/First.html)

 Article: What is Protoevangelium? by Mark Slick (https://carm.org/about-theology/what-is-the-protoevangelium/)

 Video: How Is Jesus Shown in the Book of Genesis? By Josh Moody (ttps://www.christianity.com/jesus/is-jesus-god/old-testament-prophecies/how-is-jesus-shown-inthe-book-of-genesis.html)  Internet access/a computer with editing ability  Paper/pencil/ pen

Procedure:

 Read the articles.  Respond to the study questions.  Watch the video.  Respond to the study questions.  Write a reflection on the assigned topic.  Edit writing to correct errors.  Post the reflection on the discussion board.

Study Questions:

Article: Genesis 3:15 The Protoevangelium or “First Gospel”

Directions: Show whether the statements are (A) CORRECT or (B) INCORRECT. 1. Genesis, Chapter 3 begins with the serpent that tempts the woman to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. 2. In the conversation with Eve, the serpent calls God Elohim instead of Yahweh Elohim. 3. Yahweh Elohim means Lord God. 4. After the humans succumb to the temptation of eating the forbidden fruit, God questions them, but He does not question the serpent. 5. The adjudication for the serpent’s role in the rebellion is in Genesis, Chapter 3, verses 14-19.

6. To “adjudicate” a matter is to make an official decision about who is right in a dispute. 7. The serpent is the initiator of the sin of disobedience. 8. Adam is the last punished. 9. According to the writer, the serpent is the only one that receives a curse. 10. A curse is the same as a punishment. 11. To curse someone or something is to invoke harm or injury to come upon one. 12. Another word for a curse in an imprecation. 13. Genesis 3:15 is prophetic in that it foretells a future event. 14. The passage (Genesis 3:15) is the Protoevangelium, or the first proclamation of the

Good News. 15. A proclamation is a public or official announcement, especially one dealing with a matter of foremost importance. 16. God refers to the future when He says that there will be one "who will crush the head of the serpent." 17. The proclamation in Genesis 3:15 has hope for humanity. 18. God’s mitigation for the punishment pronounced on the humans is found within

Genesis 3:15. 19. According to the article, the structure of the punishment for the serpent is in the form of two pronouncements that are independent of each other. 20. The serpent is the only animal that can speak in the narrative. 21. According to the article, the serpent demotes or lowers God’s status by calling him

Elohim instead of Yahweh Elohim. 22. The narrator in the beginning of the Book of Genesis refers to God as Elohim. 23. The serpent refutes God’s integrity in the conversation with Eve. 24. The Hebrew scholar, Cassuto, notes that the serpent is a symbol of evil in the tradition of the ancient Hebrews. 25. In Jewish tradition, the Old Testament Book of Wisdom reads that God made man to be imperishable. 26. The same Book says the God’s wisdom is inside humankind. 27. In Jewish tradition, the devil was jealous of humankind. 28. The Devil’s jealousy of humanity resulted in death. 29. Based on the Book of Wisdom, those whom the Devil owns will experience death. 30. St. Augustine commented on Genesis, Chapter 3 in The Literal Meaning of Genesis that the serpent was wise because of the devil dwelling in it.

Study Questions:

Article: “What is Protoevangelium”? by Mark Slick (https://carm.org/about-theology/what-is-the-protoevangelium/) Directions: Show whether the following statements are (A) CORRECT or (B) INCORRECT?