Page 82 - Foundations

lion's whelp." It is the same figure when "doctrine" is called "leaven" (Matthew 16:6). It shows that
something much more real and truer to truth is intended. If a Figure of speech is thus employed, it
is for the purpose of expressing the truth more impressively; and is intended to be a figure of
something much more real than the letter of the word.

Other Figures of speech are used in verses 14,15, but only for the same purpose of emphasizing the
truth and the reality of what is said.

When it is said in verse 15, "thou shalt bruise His heel," it cannot mean His literal heel of flesh and
blood, but suffering, more temporary in character. When it is said (verse 15), "He shall crush the
head," it means something more than a skull of bone, and brain, and hair. It means that all Satan's
plans and plots, policy and purposes, will one day be finally crushed and ended, never more to mar
or to hinder the purposes of God. This will be effected when Satan shall be bruised under our feet
(Romans 16:20). This, again, will not be our literal feet, but something much more real.

The bruising of Christ's heel is the most eloquent and impressive way of foretelling the most solemn
events; and to point out that the effort made by Satan to evade his doom, then threatened, would
become the very means of insuring its accomplishment; for it was through the death of Christ that
he who had the power of death would be destroyed; and all Satan's power and policy brought to an
end, and all his works destroyed (Hebrews 2:14. 1John 3:8. Revelation 20:1-3,10). What literal words
could portray these literal facts so wonderfully as these expressive Figures of speech ?

It is the same with the other Figures used in verse 14, "On thy belly shalt thou go." This Figure means
infinitely more than the literal belly of the flesh and blood; just as the words "heel" and "head" do
in verse 15. It paints for the eyes of our mind the picture of Satan's ultimate humiliation; for
prostration was ever the most eloquent sign of subjection. When it is said "our belly cleaveth unto
the ground" (Psalm 44:25), it denotes such a prolonged prostration and such a depth of submission
as could never be conveyed or expressed in literal words.

So with the other prophecy, "Dust shalt thou eat." This is not true to the letter, or to fact, but it is all
the more true to truth. It tells of constant continuous disappointment, failure, and mortification; as
when deceitful ways are spoken of as feeding on deceitful food, which is "sweet to a man, but
afterward his mouth shall be filled with gravel" (Proverbs 20:17). This does not mean literal
"gravel," but something far more disagreeable. It means disappointment so great that it would gladly
be exchanged for the literal "gravel." So when Christians are rebuked for "biting and devouring one
another" (Galatians 3:14,15), something more heart-breaking is meant than the literal words used
in the Figure...

If a serpent was afterward called a nachash, it was because it was more shining than any other
creature; and if it became known as "wise," it was not because of its own innate positive knowledge,
but of its wisdom in hiding away from all observation; and because of its association with one of the
names of Satan (that old serpent) who "beguiled Eve" (2Corinthians 11:3,14).

It is wonderful how a snake could ever be supposed to speak without the organs of speech, or that
Satan should be supposed able to accomplish so great a miracle.