God cursed the serpent (Gen 3,14) and cursed the soil because of humankind, with the result that the soil would yield only brambles and thistles (Gen 3,18). God cursed Cain[1] and banned him from the ground that received his brother’s blood[2] (Gen 4,11). Noah cursed Canaan so that he would become his brother’s meanest slave (Gen 9,25-27). The story thus far has been owing to divine grace and forbearance.
[1] Cf. J. S. Kaminsky, “Loving One’s (Israelite) Neighbour: Election and Commandment in Leviticus 19,” Interpretation: A Journal of Bible and Theology, Vol. 62, no. 2, Union Theological Seminary, Virginia, (2008), 123-132, 130.
[2] Cf. J. Karsovee, “Punishment and Mercy in the Primeval History (Gen1-11),” Ephemerides Theologicae Lovanienses, Vol. LXX, no. 1, Universiteitsbibliotheek, Leuven, (1994), 5-33, 6-14.
