Unlike Adam and Eve, the serpent isn’t given a chance to explain. The devil had already rebelled, and been cast down. Angels were created individually, whereas we reproduce. When Jesus Christ came in flesh – 100% man, and 100% God – His death allowed all of Adam’s race to be reconciled to God, because He was human. However, angels are not part of a race, per se, like the human race. Each is separate. So, the fallen angels can’t be reconciled to God in the same way. Each would have to be reconciled to God individually. They are spiritual beings, not fleshly.
We discussed under Genesis 3:1 that the serpent was likely occupied by the devil at this point, instead of the devil being in the form of a serpent. The question then becomes, why is the serpent punished? My theory is that parts of this verse are for the devil which used the serpent, but that the serpent’s willingness to be used in this manner caused it, also, to be cursed. The serpent will indeed always eat dust, even in the Millennial Kingdom, when the devil is banished. (Isa. 65:25) The serpent is a loathsome creature, which has little redeeming value. Cattle, at least, are used for meat, milk, and as beasts of burden like the llama. It is possible that this particular type of serpent was upright, if it didn’t actually have feet.
The main thrust is against the devil, though, in the next verse. As we will see, to not consider the devil's part in the next verse is to rob God's Word of its richness.
