“God bless you.” I love to say this phrase in English, as it does not exist in my native languages, Korean and Japanese. It is such a lovely greeting. It is the best way to express the unique feeling of deep love and care for each other.
Indeed, God blesses us when we wish each other His blessings. Our God is good, and He is always ready to bless us. However, there is a very odd-looking concept in the Bible that seems so different from His generous and patient love. It is called a “curse”.
“The first curse was pronounced upon the posterity of Adam and upon the earth, because of disobedience. The second curse came upon the ground after Cain slew his brother Abel. The third most dreadful curse from God came upon the earth at the flood.” –Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 373
This concept of a curse is sometimes difficult for us to understand. The first curse in the Bible gives us a hint of a fascinating truth.
“And the Lord God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise His heel.” Genesis 3:14–15
The first curse in history was not given to us but to Satan. And, this curse is rather known to us as the first promise, prophecy and proclamation of the gospel in the Bible that Jesus will die for us. Yet, unlike sinful curses that humans make, God’s curses are closely associated with His divine love and wisdom for us. In this article, we will see the message of love and blessings revealed in His curses.
Curse on Woman
Technically speaking, man and woman were not cursed. It was the earth that was cursed due to our sins. “Cursed is the ground for thy sake.” Genesis 3:17. However, during this article, let us call it a curse because we will talk about a negative change that happened to us due to our sins, and that is pretty much the definition of a curse.
Now let us look into the curse on the woman: “Unto the woman He said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.” Genesis 3:16
As a result of sin, the woman was to have painful childbearing, dependence on the husband, and a lower position than the man. Have you ever wondered why such punishment was chosen? God could have given them different curses. Why did God choose these specific curses?
Initially, childbearing was given to us as a blessing. “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.” Genesis 1:27–29
Here, we can see that the first blessing of the Bible has three essential parts: childbearing, dominion, and food. The blessing of childbearing is a special privilege for us, as God allows us to participate in His work of creation. Forming new life in mothers’ wombs is a work that belongs to Him only. However, just as God allows us to participate in the work of a missionary despite His power to spread the gospel by Himself or by angels, God will enable us to join His work of love and life throughout the entire childbearing process, from fertilization to delivery.
Keeping this in mind, let us examine the motive of the woman’s crime. “And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:4–5
Because of Eve’s sins, the desire to be like God became the weakness for women. Therefore, the privilege of childbearing could become a danger for women to feel like they are gaining God’s power of creation. Hence, God added the pain in pregnancy. Now, through childbearing, women were to remember their first sins and weaknesses. Also, the pain of childbearing made them seek God and ask for His help. Hence, the woman was protected from weakness, and learned to be humble and dependent upon God’s power.
For the same reason, God made the woman dependent on her husband and lowered her position.
“Eve had been perfectly happy by her husband’s side in her Eden home; but, like restless modern Eves, she was flattered with the hope of entering a higher sphere than that which God had assigned her. In attempting to rise above her original position, she fell far below it.” –Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 59
The woman wanted to be higher. Ever since then, the desire for a higher position became their weakness. Of course, there are many men with the same sin. However, remember that as the 144,000, we will belong to one of the twelve tribes of Israel, depending on the outstanding weakness we overcome. We all possess every kind of sin, but individually, we have a specific weakness that is worse than others. In this sense, the sin of position-seeking became women’s weakness.
Therefore, God added another layer of position between the woman and God by placing man above her so that women could be protected from this desire and temptation. God did not curse women in anger. Instead, God did so to protect them, to teach them a lesson, and help them to overcome the weakness formed due to their first sin. My dear brothers and sisters, we are blessed to be cursed.
Unfortunately, some men used this curse in a way that God did not intend, and many women had to suffer from abuse and inequity. Fortunately, women’s human rights have been restored a lot over the last few centuries. However, now Satan is trying to go beyond. Through a movement called “feminism,” Satan is trying to make women’s position equal to their husbands in a way that is against God’s plan so that they can be exposed to the same temptation again.
Of course, in some sense, man and woman are equal, as manifested in God’s creation of creating the woman from the man’s rib. “Eve was created from a rib taken from the side of Adam, signifying that she was not to control him as the head, nor to be trampled under his feet as an inferior, but to stand by his side as an equal, to be loved and protected by him.” –Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 46. However, the equality that is claimed by modern feminism is not according to the Bible. On the surface, Satan claims that he is working for women’s sake. But his true intention is to remove the protection God has set.
Curse on Man
Now, what was the curse on man? “And unto Adam He said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it
bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” Genesis 3:17–19
The punishment for man was to suffer in labour. His work used to be a pleasant one. However, now the man had to work with pain. Why did God choose this curse for man? Let us see what was going on in Adam’s mind when he sinned.
“Adam understood that his companion had transgressed the command of God, disregarded the only prohibition laid upon them as a test of their fidelity and love. There was a terrible struggle in his mind. He mourned that he had permitted Eve to wander from his side. But now the deed was done; he must be separated from her whose society had been his joy. How could he have it thus? Adam had enjoyed the companionship of God and of holy angels. He had looked upon the glory of the Creator. He understood the high destiny opened to the human race should they remain faithful to God. Yet all these blessings were lost sight of in the fear of losing that one gift which in his eyes outvalued every other. Love, gratitude, loyalty to the Creator—all were overborne by love to Eve. She was a part of himself, and he could not endure the thought of separation. He did not realize that the same Infinite Power who had from the dust of the earth created him, a living, beautiful form, and had in love given him a companion, could supply her place. He resolved to share her fate; if she must die, he would die with her.” –Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 56
At first look, the motive of Adam might look “romantic,” wishing to die with his wife. However, what was one of his first actions after committing sin? “And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.” Genesis 3:12. Therefore, we can see how Adam was not taking responsibility for his action. He chose his wife over God, then immediately abandoned her afterwards.
After all, in some sense, he was responsible for everything that happened, as he allowed his wife to leave his side despite the warning and instruction from the angels to always stay together. All these things happened because Adam did not responsibly manage his family (wife). Therefore, God made man responsible for sustaining his family. Through working hard to take care of his family, the man was to learn what it means to be accountable.
From the testimonies, we can see more reasons for this curse. Adam neglected all the other blessings and chose His wife. He did not care about the high calling to noble destiny. In this way, Adam disregarded the initial blessings of dominion and food.
When I was a teenager, it was guaranteed that there was always food on the table thrice daily. Only after I became independent did I learn how many processes took place before one set food on the table. I realized that I needed to get a job, work, go grocery shopping, and cook to have one meal. Only after these experiences could I fully appreciate the food on my table.
This is the reason for the curse on man. Adam neglected the gifts of God. He took it for granted and did not appreciate its values. Therefore, God made Adam sweat and suffer to earn his food so that he could understand God’s daily grace. Of course, God did not do so because He wanted to be recognized for His mercy. Adam sinned because he did not appreciate the gift and calling. Therefore, without this lesson, Adam could fall into sin again. Hence, this curse was given to protect Adam.
There was another lesson for Adam in this curse. As he chose to die rather than lose his wife, he neglected his own life. This is a sin, as life is sacred and divine. Hence, Adam was to cultivate the ground, which was the material he was made of, to gain a new life (fruits, nuts, and vegetables) to sustain his life. Through this, Adam was to learn how precious life is. Through this, Adam could understand how much one life means to God.
There are many more purposes behind these curses! I invite you to read Patriarchs and Prophets, chapter 3, to discover more about the wisdom of God in these curses that I could not cover in this article. How incredible is God’s wisdom to contain many suitable purposes in a single curse.
This way, we can again see that this curse was given for our sake. God’s curses are provided so that we can overcome our weaknesses and resist temptation. It is not only the reflection of the past but also the preparation for the future. We are indeed blessed to be cursed.
Curse on Cain
The second curse was given when Cain killed his brother. “And He said, What hast thou done? The voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto Me from the ground. And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother’s blood from thy hand; When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.” Genesis 4:10–12
As we have done so in previous curses, let us think about the motive of Cain’s sin. Why did Cain kill Abel? It was because God accepted Abel’s offering but rejected Cain’s, as Abel brought a lamb while Cain brought fruits as an offering.
However, we can see that fruits were a part of the offerings in the sanctuary service. “And when any will offer a meat offering unto the Lord, his offering shall be of fine flour; and he shall pour oil upon it, and put frankincense thereon: . . . As for the oblation of the first fruits, ye shall offer them unto the Lord: but they shall not be burnt on the altar for a sweet savour.” Leviticus 2:1, 12
Then why did God reject Cain’s offering? This meat offering in Leviticus had a condition. There should be another offering to be made beforehand. “If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the Lord.” Leviticus 1:3
The lamb had to be offered first, and then they could bring fruit. What does it mean? Fruits represent our good work, which is the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Our good work comes not from ourselves but from God, who works in us. First, we must acknowledge our weaknesses, accept Jesus and rely on His power. In other words, we work by faith.
However, Cain’s offering showed the opposite idea. He brought fruits without the lamb. Through this, he claimed that he did not need Jesus. He was trying to do good works in his own power. Therefore, God made it harder for Cain to farm. Cain was to learn that he had to rely on God’s power to bring forth fruits.
These two opposite ideas of Abel and Cain are called “Righteousness by Faith” and “Righteousness by works.” And ever since then, every man had to choose or the other of these two ideas. Have you ever wondered why God cursed the entire earth just for one man’s sin? It might sound too much. However, we can see God’s mercy here. The universal curse on this earth is a reminder of Cain’s sin and a message to follow the right path of righteousness by faith. It is a warning to those who believe in righteousness by works, that God will not accept their offerings and that they might even become a murderer of God’s faithful people.
Also, it was to be a comfort for every Christian who sacrificed for God, especially the martyrs. God cursed the earth in response to Abel’s blood. Therefore, this curse was a reminder to every martyr that God has never forgotten their sacrifice and will reward them in the end. Consequently, we are blessed to be cursed.
Curse After the Flood
“The third most dreadful curse from God came upon the earth at the flood. After the flood the people ate largely of animal food. . . . He permitted that long-lived race to eat animal food to shorten their sinful lives. Soon after the flood the race began to rapidly decrease in size, and in length of years.” –Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 373
After the flood, God temporarily allowed humans to eat meat for a short period as there was no food. Of course, as it was a temporary measure, now we are called to return to the original vegetarian diet. Nevertheless, in the Spirit of Prophecy, we read that this momentary meat diet was the third curse, as it significantly reduced lifespan and body size. However, it is interesting to see how the Bible describes this curse.
“And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them. . . Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things. But flesh with the life thereof, which is the
blood thereof, shall ye not eat.” Genesis 9:1, 3–4
The Bible calls this curse as a blessing. In other words, these verses seem to say: “God blessed Noah and told them to eat meat so they would live shorter and become smaller.” Why so?
“In sparing the life of the first murderer, God presented before the whole universe a lesson bearing upon the great controversy. The dark history of Cain and his descendants was an illustration of what would have been the result of permitting the sinner to live on forever, to carry out his rebellion against God. The forbearance of God only rendered the wicked more bold and defiant in their iniquity. Fifteen centuries after the sentence pronounced upon Cain, the universe witnessed the fruition of his influence and example, in the crime and pollution that flooded the earth. It was made manifest that the sentence of death pronounced upon the fallen race for the transgression of God’s law was both just and merciful. The longer men lived in sin, the more abandoned they became. The divine sentence cutting short a career of unbridled iniquity, and freeing the world from the influence of those who had become hardened in rebellion, was a blessing rather than a curse.” –Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 78
Blessed to Be Cursed
In our life, there are many blessings. However, we have suffering, trials, and pain also. Some of them last for a long time, and we feel like we are cursed. We might be born with it. We might have gained it one day. Some of them might continue until our last breath.
However, through these curses in the Bible, God is telling us: “You might wonder why. And you might never understand until you reach heaven. However, trust Me. Your curse is for your sake. I have allowed it in My wisdom and love for you. In your curses, I have hidden blessings, protection, lessons, and training.”
Paul wrote: “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:7–10
Paul had a health condition, which was so painful that Paul asked God three times to remove it. Paul knew God’s healing power. Paul himself was the instrument and witness of miracles of healing. However, God did not allow His beloved servant to be healed. Why?
Paul was a very talented person. He was educated and skilled. For such a man, there was a danger in being proud of oneself. Hence, God allowed him a health condition so that Paul could always depend on God and stay humble. For God to lead Paul to heaven and eternal life, this thorn in the flesh was inevitable and necessary.
My dear brothers and sisters. Let us appreciate the curses in our lives. They are painful and challenging. But God says, “My grace is sufficient for thee.” And is it not true? When we count the blessings, is there not enough grace to endure difficulties? God never allows any trials that we cannot handle.
Curses in our lives are given for our sake. God allows them so that they would guide us to heaven. They are given for our good. Let us not complain about these curses. Instead, let us see His love in them. We might not understand. But farther along, God will show us why. The fact that we have curses in our lives proves that God has not given up on us. It is the evidence that God is working in our lives and guiding us through. When we feel abandoned, that is the very moment when God is the closest to us. Hence, let us believe in His love and His wisdom. We are blessed to be cursed.
Therefore, my beloved brethren, I would like to close with this warm Christian greeting: May God bless you. Amen.
Makoto Matsumoto