In this text we hear the tragic words of God’s judgment on Adam for his sin.  Adam will live under sentence of death. The life that remains to him will be stricken with misery as he strives to till the soil for food.  He will struggle in all the endeavors of his life without a sense of joy that his labor fulfills his God-given calling to have dominion over the earth.  This verdict will follow him and pass to all his descendants.  What purpose then does he, or anyone, have?   Christ Jesus will come, as one made of dust, living in the same misery as man, taking onto Himself the ultimate misery, death on the cross.  By this He takes on mankind’s penalty of death to begin the restoration of man’s joy and purpose.