He Shall Crush Your Head

By André van Niekerk

Author Andr van Niekerks inquiring mind and divinely inspired ambition to understand the gospel of Jesus Christ sent him on a seven-year journey to study this subject. He explores many spiritual concepts and symbolism contained in the Bible, such as

Adams actual sin and how it affects us; the significance of Abrahams faith and his covenant with God; the reason God asked Abraham to sacrifice Isaac; and the purpose of the Law of Moses.

He also considers these questions:

Is Jesus the Messiah, and why was He born by a virgin mother? Can God simply overlook sin? Why does Jesus death pay for my sin? Is Jesus both the Son of God and Son of Man? Why did Jesus have to suffer so much? Is all of this fair and legal? What is grace, and why cant Satan be offered grace? What is the result of the death and resurrection of Jesus for us?

He Shall Crush Your Head answers these questions in the form of a novel based on the Bible, highlighting the truths contained therein. It contains a story running over a period of four thousand years, starting with Adam and moving on to Abraham, Moses, and eventually Simon, who was forced to carry the cross of Jesus, and his friendship with Stephen, who was eventually stoned to death for the sake of the gospel.

The truths revealed in He Shall Crush Your Head can equip you to answer all those difficult questions Christians are faced with daily.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Apr 4, 2014
• ISBN: 9781490834634

André van Niekerk

André van Niekerk is a successful, qualified professional accountant who answered the call to pastor a multicultural church in South Africa. He moves powerfully in the teaching ministry. His disciplined, logical mind-set, combined with his unshakable faith in God’s Word, makes him an outstanding teacher of God’s Word and godly principles in an ordinary way.

Book preview

Chapter 1

A CASE OF MURDER

T he tears run down her cheeks, leaving a shiny trail from her deep dark eyes. She stares at the sandy, yellow-brown soil as it slurps up the tears dripping from the bottom of her chin.

She hardly notices Adam’s hand on her shoulder. All Eve can think about is her guilt. Oh, how she hates herself. If only she had believed God when He told her that she and Adam would die if they ate from the fruit of the cursed tree, this would never have happened. But, it’s too late now.

The picture of Abel’s lifeless body lying in a lonely hole in the ground is imprinted in her mind. She sighs when she thinks about how uncomplicated and perfect life was in God’s garden. How on earth could she have doubted God’s warning for one second, believing that conniving, deceiving, creature instead? The mere thought of this makes her feel sick.

Eve knows that she was deceived, but it’s no one’s fault but her own. She couldn’t imagine the awful dread of death, even in her wildest dreams. Never before had anyone on earth died. Now, she was the first one to experince the awfull, bitter sting of death.

She only really becomes aware of Adam’s presence when his gentle voice breaks the fragile silence, It will be okay my dear. God will help us to get …

In a flash, her grief turns into anger as she jumps up from the rock she is sitting on, interrupting Adam’s well-intentioned words of comfort. Will help us what? She completes his sentence for him as she shuffles closer to Adam. Tell me! What?

With her hand pointing towards heaven she argues, Will He give me back my son? Will He take away my pain? Tell me! Tell me!

Her desperate outburst breaks into a heart-cry of deep sorrow as she covers her mouth and nose with both of her hands. The tears quickly cover her hands as she groans with grief she could never have anticipated.

Adam understands. He feels the same way, but he must be strong. He boldly takes Eve by the hand and pulls her closer to him. As he places both his arms around her, he hides his face next to her cheek and releases a stubborn tear that forces its way down his cheek. It will be okay, he whispers with little conviction.

Eve pulls herself away from his embrace to look him in the eyes. Tell me Adam, how did we manage to get ourselves into this mess? she asks with a little more self-control.

He answers her with only a shake of his head. Words are scarce. What can he say? Come my dear, let’s go home. These are the only words he can muster.

They silently make their way to the cave, which is halfway up the hill. As they approach the cave entrance Adam looks at the sky. It looks like it will be dark soon, let’s get a fire going. He suggests.

Eve wipes away her tears and bravely starts gathering the few pieces of wood at the entrance of the cave. There isn’t enough wood here! she shouts at Adam who is already busy trying to get a spark from the spinning piece of wood between his hand palms.

Here’s some more wood, Mom.

Cain’s voice behind her sends a shiver down Eve’s spine, while her heart jumps into her throat. His presence overwhelms her. How should she act towards Cain after what he did? She knows she has to face him and, somehow, look her son’s murderer in the eyes, but how?

With all the self-control she can gather, she responds as normally as she can, without looking up, Thank you. Leave it right there at the entrance. She replies as she continues working.

This makes Cain feel uncomfortable, as he makes a clumsy effort to gather more wood.

Everyone continues performing the routine evening household tasks in silence for a while before Adam decides to take control of the situation.

Look, we have to talk! He commands.

Adam’s announcement introduces a welcome, yet fragile, relief from the uncomfortable atmosphere, as mother and son both look at him expectantly. The tension is unbearable for all of them.

Sit down, both of you, he commands while placing a jar of milk and three drinking bowls on the table in the middle of the cave.

Eve is clearly not ready for this. Let me just finish sweeping here, she mumbles in an effort to postpone the inevitable.

No, leave the sweeping. There will be plenty of time for that later, Adam commands gently, but firm.

Eve puts down the broom and slowly makes her way to the basin to wash her hands. Reluctantly the family members take their usual positions in the circle where they always gather for dinner and family meetings. In better times they have had some fun in this circle, but Abel’s absence leaves an empty feeling in his parent’ hearts. He always had a joke or two ready to cheer them all up, and they will miss that.

Adam stares at the bowl of milk and, as if he finds inspiration from it, makes an announcement as he looks at Cain with a frown on his face. Look, Cain, I want you to know that we are bitterly disappointed in what you did. If fact, we’re in total shock. He announces.

He turns his face to the floor looking for words, and then continues. We need to clear the air, and talk this thing through, Adam informs Cain, as he turns his eyes to Eve hoping to find her affirmation.

She quietly nods, as the tears slowly re-appear. She wants to say something, but is overcome with emotion when Cain leans over and rests his head on her shoulder. He’s still her son, and she loves him so much. This leaves her in a chaos with conflicting emotions wrestling inside of her.

Cain seems downcast and meek for a moment, in contrast with his usual tough, and mostly merciless, nature. He’s also haunted by the memory of disbelief in Abel’s eyes when the stone in Cain’s hand struck his brother against the ear.

This may come as a shock to you Cain, but I want you to move out and stay somewhere else. I can’t speak for your mother, but as for me, I will never be able to live with you in one house again, and I can’t allow your mother to be exposed to that either. We will always be reminded of Abel, and what you have done to him for as long as you live with us, Adam announces reluctantly.

The surprised look on Eve’s face tells Adam that she didn’t expect Adam to make this kind of announcement, but she keeps silent in submission to Adam’s decision.

Somewhat disappointed, Cain sits up straight and tries to seek some sympathy by playing the victim.

Yea! Maybe I should have moved out long ago. I never fitted into the family anyway. I’ve never been important to anyone, but now it seems that I’m the lowest of the low on earth, he replies.

Cain leaves his parents speechless. They know him well enough to discern his attempt to play their emotions for some sympathy and look at him with a gaze of disappointment.

Realizing that they won’t budge, Cain continues with a pitiful facial expression. Anyway, God also spoke to me earlier today, and confirmed this. He said that I would have to go away and roam the earth as a drifter,

Cain looks at his father for any sign of sympathy but Adam shows no reaction, as Cain continues. God went on to mention that I’m cursed even more than the soil.

Adam picks up on the hint of the curse and replies to his son’s accusation; Yes, I can’t deny that I’m the cause of the curse, Adam replies after a moment of silence. Unfortunately, when your mother and I allowed sin to enter the world, we have opened the door for Satan to come to steal, kill and destroy here in earth as he pleases. Satan seized the opportunity eagerly and sin now lies waiting at the door of each one of us, but we have to resist him, now that we know what evil is.

Cain shakes his head and simply continues his lament. Can you imagine, worse than the ground? I am cursed more than even the dust of the earth! That’s awful! I don’t think I can bear that. God is very harsh on me. I don’t think I deserve this kind of punishment. The pity he feels for himself overwhelms him as his eyes starts glittering with tears.

Adam looks at his wild-natured son, fully aware of his self-centered and manipulative nature, but he thought that Cain would display some measure of remorse, or at least understand the enormity of what he had done. But it seems that Cain has been consumed by his self-centered attitude, leaving anything and anyone else outside in the cold.

Adam keeps quiet for a while and then continues with a quivering voice, although he tries to control himself. Don’t you realise what you have done Cain? He asks concerned. You’ve committed a murder! You took a life!

Adam hopes to get through to Cain by shouting the last part of the sentence and keeps that tone of voice and continues. To make it worse, you took the life of your own brother. That’s very serious, and you can’t pass the consequences of what you have done on to anyone else. You can’t simply walk away from it all as if nothing has happened! Adam throws his hands into the air in frustration and shakes his head in disbelief.

Cain reaches for the pile of wood next to him and selects a cutting, intending to cast it into the fire, but instead points the piece of wood toward the cave entrance. There’s a wilderness out there Dad, and I must admit that I’m afraid of it. I don’t know what to expect. I’m not ignoring what I’ve done, but I must think of how this will affect my future. I was hoping that you would at least have some concern for my future as well. Abel is dead, but I’m still alive and I still have a future. Cain laments.

He takes a deep breath and continues. God said that I will drift out there somewhere, alone. I’ll be poor and I’ll be a fugitive for the rest of my life. Everyone out there will despise me, as you do.

He almost receives some sympathy when Eve looks up with a frown. Adam is quick to notice this and is quick to interject.

Hang on! He shouts aloud. You still don’t seem to realize what you’ve done. Sure I’m concerned about your future, but I can’t be concerned for your future while you remain remorseless. You didn’t even seek forgiveness from your mom and me. I didn’t see you cry any tears for Abel. What about Abel’s future? You’ve ended it! What about your mom’s future? You have killed her son. Does that not count for something? Adam exclaims furiously.

Adam places both his hands on his head in frustration and continues You only seem concerned about what will happen to you, but have you ever thought about your mother’s feelings? Your mom and I will have to live without Abel. Now, it seems, we’ve lost you as well! Adam’s voice raises a notch.

What’s wrong with you? Can’t you think of anything, or anyone, but yourself?

Cain seems surprised at his father’s reaction, and starts pacing to and from the open cave entrance. He realizes that instead of getting some sympathy, as he always did in the past, he now only manages to fan the flames of anger within his father.

Adam gets up and walks toward the fire in an attempt to gain some control over his emotions. He takes a few deep breaths, but that can’t stop his frustration from turning into full blown anger.

It’s useless! It’s absolutely useless! Adam shouts out as he turns to face his son, blocking Cain’s way to pace any further in the process.

Let’s drop it Cain! This discussion is over. Do you understand me? Over!

He turns around to walk away and struggles to stick to his intention to end the discussion. His emotions takes control as he immediately turns back to face Cain gain.

I have little sympathy with you. In fact, I think you came off lightly, to say the least. You deserve nothing less than death yourself. Anyway, you are out of here tomorrow morning. I don’t want to see you again, never! He turns and shouts his conclusion as he walks away from his hard-headed son.

And by the way, that’s what sin does to people. It makes separation. Between man and God and between loved ones. So stop feeling sorry for yourself. Rather repent! You brought this upon yourself!

Stop it Adam! Let’s discuss this problem calmly. Eve interjects, hoping to end the unpleasant argument. She is fed-up with all of this unpleasantness.

Adam can’t believe what he hears. He spins around again and now barks at Eve with a loud voice; What problem? There is no problem! This is an atrocity, not a problem! Our son just killed his brother, and he shows nothing but a pathetic display of self-pity. He is remorseless, self-justified and downright arrogant! Adam’s arm swings wildly towards Cain as he launches his outburst, ready for a physical assault on his arrogant son.

Yes dear, Eve replies gently, trying her best to calm her furious husband down.

But what is the use of losing two sons? People are sure to kill Cain wherever he goes. Surely that’s not what you want, is it? Eve’s fragile voice brings a measure of calm to Adam, while Cain looks at Eve, hoping to get someone to side with him while he enjoys the concern.

Cain’s little flame of hope is quickly smothered as his father continues. No Eve, I don’t want to lose two sons, and that is exactly why I am trying to save this one, by trying to talk some sense into his seemingly dead brain. If he doesn’t repent, or at least acknowledge his wrong doing, he will be lost to us and to God, forever. The only way he has a hope to any kind of future, is to acknowledge and admit his guilt. Then, and only then, can God help him. He looks at Cain with piercing eyes, as he explains.

Cain feels the brunt of the attack, but it only manages to blow his arrogance out of proportion. Yes dad, I am guilty. Okay? I know I am guilty! Cain shouts sarcastically.

He lowers his voice when he notices the threatening expression on Adam’s face, realizing that he shouldn’t push Adam too far. But I have to be concerned about myself now. No one else will do that for me. I can’t do anything to reverse what I’ve done, and I have to look forward, to my future.

He switches to a new tactic. But don’t worry, you don’t need to be concerned for me. God assured me that He would place a sign upon me that no one would kill me, and if anyone should kill me, they would be cursed, and it would be avenged in seven-fold upon them. Cain takes a few sips of the milk, then looks at Adam as if nothing has happened, and continues.

I can’t understand why my punishment is so severe, while it’s all his own fault. Cain starts explaining.

Adam looks at his son in amazement, realizing that Cain refers to Abel.

Why did Abel always have to humiliate me? He was no better than me. After all, who was he to tell me what to do? He has always been like that, trying to boss me around. He insisted that only a blood-sacrifice would be acceptable to God as a sin offering, as if his precious sheep was elevated above my vegetables. Cain laments.

Adam opens his mouth to reply, but allows Cain to talk when Eve wisely holds her finger over her lips behind Cain’s back. Adam knows she’s right. He should give Cain the chance to talk.

I placed the vegetables on the altar, just to make a point. God wouldn’t reject my sacrifice, simply because it was vegetables. Cain frowns as he continues, But God had no regard for my vegetable offering, and I became enraged and, before I knew it, Abel was staring at me with blood-drenched eyes. Then I saw the stone in my hand, with blood all over it. I was so cross, I only realized what I have done at that stage. Cain explains with a blank look in his eyes.

Adam snorts softly as he looks at Cain with judging eyes. Why are you looking at me like that, Dad? Cain enquires.

Adam replies with every ounce of self-control he can manage, while his heart pounds uncontrollably, chasing his breath as he talks. I’m not only surprised, but utterly shocked, at your attitude. You keep justifying your actions and seems totally consumed by your own interests. Adam explains.

Cain fails to understand and continues with a hint of passing the responsibility to his father. Okay, if you’re so holy, then tell me what really happened in the Garden, and why are we not allowed there anymore? Cain challenges his father.

Adam discerns the clever way in which his son now tries to shift the responsibility to his parents. Adam was hoping that he would never have to talk about that, because it hurts too much. However, for the sake of his son and his other descendants, he must talk about it. He decides to ignore Cain’s behavior for now, and makes up his mind that this is the only way in which he will be able to take the message of God’s promise to his descendants. Maybe if Cain understands he will change his behavior. Anyway, the descendants must know about the promise. They have to know about the One who will come to break the curse of sin.

Chapter 2

IF ONLY I BELIEVED HIM

A dam takes a deep breath, stares into the fire, and starts talking with unashamed remorse.

You see Cain, the difference between you and me is that I realize that I’ve messed up, and I feel terrible about it. I’ll do anything, I mean anything in my power, to undo what I’ve done, if only there was a way. I realize that I need God’s forgiveness. You, on the other hand, keep justifying your actions without any remorse. Adam announces.

He keeps silent for a while as he gathers his thoughts and then continues. Maybe you’ll understand once I have told you everything, as you have asked me to. So, sit down and listen. This may just be the most important message you’ll ever hear. Adam makes himself comfortable and begins his story with his eyes locked onto the flames of the burning fire.

I miss the days when we lived in the Garden of Eden. There was no sin, trouble or pain, and God Himself came down regularly in the cool of the evenings. Most of the time God strolled with us alongside the river. He smiles at the thought as he continues.

I was appointed as king over the earth, and was assigned the duty to rule over all the creatures and plants. Your mother and I knew nothing except peace and joy. He looks at Eve and replies to her smile of agreement with a wink of his eye. "Those were the times when I discussed the events of the day with God, and He advised me on matters where my task required more wisdom.

There’s one discussion, or rather, one warning, I will never forget. On that day, God looked at me with piercing eyes of concern, and warned me that, although I am free to eat from all the trees of the garden, there was one tree, the tree of ‘Knowledge of Good and Evil’, that I should stay away from. He warned that eating from the fruits of that tree would lead to death. I was surprised at the warning, because I didn’t know what death meant. It was a strange concept to me, since I was living in the realm of eternity."

Eat from which tree? I don’t understand. Cain asks puzzled.

Adam understands Cain’s ignorance. Cain is unfamiliar with spiritual terminology. "Okay, let me explain it this way. As physical beings, we are naturally unfamiliar with spiritual concepts because we can’t see into the spirit realm. Therefore, God used the tree as a symbol, to explain it to me.

A tree always starts with a seed, right? As life flows forth from the planted seed, a tree starts to show in a physical form. Although the seed is unseen, the tree and its fruits are clearly visible to us. But when you look at the tree you can’t see what the origin of the tree is, because it’s hidden from the eye.

In the same way, the origin of evil started with Satan. He isn’t visible to the human eye, since he is a hidden spirit, the seed of evil. However, his deeds and the consequences thereof are visible to us. The tree is, therefore, a symbol of the visible results of evil roots.

Satan appeared to your mother through a snake and showed her the fruit of knowing the difference between good and evil. Neither your mother nor I knew anything about evil, but knowing evil appeared to be something good and innocent to us. Satan told us that if we wanted that knowledge, he could give it to us, and we would become wise, like God.

Remember, God already told us that we shouldn’t eat from that tree, because God wanted to keep us pure and innocent, free from any knowledge of evil. I mean, how can you desire something you don’t know of? Satan knew that if we knew of evil, we wouldn’t be able to resist it."

Adam looks at Cain in an effort to measure his understanding, but Cain only stares at Adam with an open mouth. Adam decides to continue.

"Although the fruits of the tree of knowledge of evil seemed so good, we didn’t fully realize that it was rooted in evil. Your mother took of the fruit, and then showed it to me. Eventually we both shared in the fruits of evil.

So, when I say we’ve eaten from the fruit of that tree, I simply mean that I wanted the knowledge and I have accepted Satan’s offer to feed us with this knowledge."

Cain nods his head silently, as Adam continues; "I didn’t even know who Satan was, but God did warn me that my wrong choice, to eat from what Satan offered, would kill us, but I didn’t really believe Him. There was this hidden, unspoken, suspicion inside of us that God was not really truthful when He said that it would kill us.

You see, we haven’t been created with the ability to resist spiritual influences of evil on us. We were created to be totally divorced from all evil and all knowledge of what evil is. God wanted to keep us so far away from evil that He didn’t even want us to know about it.

God arranged that an impenetrable hedge of protection surrounded us all the time to keep the influences of evil spirits away from us. Evil had no chance of penetrating that strong hedge of protection in any way. The only way in which spiritual beings could gain access to us was through our own free will. By convincing us to walk out of that protective hedge ourselves, and that is exactly what we did".

Adam notices that Cain wants to say something and pauses. But Dad, I think it’s unfair of God to have exposed you like that. How could He expect you to make a choice between an unknown spiritual thing, and Him? If He really wanted to protect you, He shouldn’t have allowed Satan into the Garden at all. Why did God allow Satan into the garden in the first place? Why didn’t He simply stop you from eating that fruit? I mean, God has all the power to do that, doesn’t He? Cain asks somewhat frustrated.

Adam is annoyed at Cain’s shortsighted view on the matter. After a short period of silence in which the two men stares at each other, Adam gets up, faces Cain and spits out a measured reply in a low tone of voice.

Because God is not a dictator, that’s why! Adam pokes his finger against his son’s chest, hoping to hammer the point home.

Cain is left speechless, and Adam continues