A friend once told me of her regret for the time she spent in rebellion. She experienced substance abuse, improper relationships, a general disrespect for the law, and a lack of acknowledgment of God in her life. My response to what she shared with me surprised her.
I told her that I used to feel that way, too, but I don’t anymore. At some point, I came to realize that the same things which caused me guilt and regret were the very things that drove me to my knees before a Holy God. I had been very self-sufficient. When conviction came to me, I understood that I had messed up, and I was helpless to erase the mistakes I had made. I had need of a Savior. Without that intervention, I most likely would have continued along my prideful path. Without realizing my need, I would not have found redemption.
My friend nodded in agreement. It is good to gather for praise and worship with those who share our faith. Apparently, our earliest ancestors thought so, too.
When Seth was one hundred five years old, a son, Enosh, was born to him. The Hebrew writers observe the great state of evil and corruption of that age. For a long time, religion had been suppressed by the wicked. The name Enosh signifies a miserable man.
About 240 years after the creation of Adam, God began to move the hearts of the godly and the idea of Divinity became attached to a name. A community of humans began to call upon the name of Yahweh. Those who believed in God took up doing more than had been done since the flight of Cain. They worshipped God not only in their families, but in reverent public assemblies. Those that believed in and worshipped God called themselves the sons of God. Cain and others who deserted religion built a city and called themselves the sons of men.
On the one hand, we can see growing iniquity and on the other, growing faith. The community of worshippers began to comprehend all that is implied in the proper name of God, Yahwey. They found the words to express and burst forth with the feelings and desires they had long held in their hearts. They renounced the dread of sin, drew Divine mercy and love into their penitent souls, and offered their prayers of praise and thanksgiving to God. These early believers understood that the proper approach to God included presenting him with acceptable offerings and calling upon his name. Conducted in a social setting, the covenant keepers’ audible adorations of God’s mercy and their abiding with him in peace attracted the attention of a budding world.
The family of Cainites erected a city filled with inventions and developments in business and the arts. By so doing, they laid the foundation for the kingdom of this world. The family of Sethites united to invoke the name of the Lord. By this, they began to establish the kingdom of God on earth.
In the crazy foolishness of their self-will, many will rebel. The lessons of history have been written for our pondering and learning. May the accumulated experience of past waywardness recorded in our Holy Book warn us to return, with our whole heart, to the merciful grace of our Father.
Becoming Biblical 