# 36 Hemmed In With Obstacles

The Book of Genesis Day 36 Ge 3:14 So the LORD God said to the serpent: "Because you have done this, You are cursed more than all cattle, And more than every beast of the field; On your belly you shall go, And you shall eat dust All the days of your life." The blaming has been done, the confessions have taken place and now God metes out His judgment. He starts with the serpent, “you are cursed, (the word in the Hebrew language means to be hemmed in with obstacles) “you are hemmed in with obstacles more than all the cattle and more than the beast of the field.” Henceforth the serpent would have to get around without any legs. In addition, this curse would literally make it eat dust, which is a sign of humiliation! Every time you and I look at a snake we should consider this curse, remembering that at one time snakes were able to get around in a much more dignified manner! That’s what sin does to you! It destroys your dignity! It hems us in with obstacles, preventing us from being all we were created to be! Then there’s the matter of dust. Dust should make us think of death, for dead things return to dust, and the ultimate result of sin is death! Snakes are a forever picture of the effects of sin, namely death and undignified living. No wonder most people have a natural aversion to them! Reflect: What’s the most “undignified” thing that has happened to you? How do you feel about snakes? In what ways does sin cripple? According to Rom 6:23, what’s the difference between a “snake” life and a “God” life? Ro 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Pray: Father, nature teaches us many things, help us to learn from observing the snake. Help us to turn from hemmed in living to living free in Christ Jesus. Amen