Genesis 4:25-5:2325And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew. 26And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the Lord. 1This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him; 2Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created. 3And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth: 4And the days of Adam after he had begotten Seth were eight hundred years: and he begat sons and daughters: 5And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died. 6And Seth lived an hundred and five years, and begat Enos: 7And Seth lived after he begat Enos eight hundred and seven years, and begat sons and daughters: 8And all the days of Seth were nine hundred and twelve years: and he died. 9And Enos lived ninety years, and begat Cainan: 10And Enos lived after he begat Cainan eight hundred and fifteen years, and begat sons and daughters: 11And all the days of Enos were nine hundred and five years: and he died. 12And Cainan lived seventy years, and begat Mahalaleel: 13And Cainan lived after he begat Mahalaleel eight hundred and forty years, and begat sons and daughters: 14And all the days of Cainan were nine hundred and ten years: and he died. 15And Mahalaleel lived sixty and five years, and begat Jared: 16And Mahalaleel lived after he begat Jared eight hundred and thirty years, and begat sons and daughters: 17And all the days of Mahalaleel were eight hundred ninety and five years: and he died. 18And Jared lived an hundred sixty and two years, and he begat Enoch: 19And Jared lived after he begat Enoch eight hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: 20And all the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty and two years: and he died. 21And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah: 22And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: 23And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: (Genesis 4:25‑5:23)
“AND she [Eve] bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew.” v. 25.
While Cain had many descendants, some of whom are named in the 4th chapter and whose worldly ways we have already considered, Abel apparently had raised no family at the time of his death. He reminds us of the Lord in this respect, of whom the prophet Isaiah said: “Who shall declare His generation? for He was cut off out of the land of the living.” Isaiah 53:88He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. (Isaiah 53:8).
Nonetheless, God was still looking graciously on Adam and Eve, and another son was born to them whose name, Seth, means “substitute” or “appointed.” Seth is a type of Christ, the divine substitute for us before God and, as Abel speaks of the Lord put to death by the world, Seth speaks of Him in resurrection. In due time he too had a son whom he named Enos, meaning “mortal” or, “subject to death.” It is recorded: “Then began men to call upon the name of the Lord.” v. 26.
This presents a picture of God’s purposes in grace toward man, in spite of his sinful nature, these purposes to be fulfilled in His own beloved Son. First, we have Abel slain, leaving no children; then Seth speaks of resurrection, carrying on the testimony; after this we find in Seth’s family those who walked before God. There were those of this family who followed in the faith of Abel and brought forth fruit acceptable to Him.
It was during this period that some men lived to an amazing length of years. Adam himself lived to be 930; Seth 912; Jared—of the same line—962, etc. It was also in these early years of mankind that mention made of Enoch, the great-grandfather of Noah. Enoch is of particular interest because, although subject to the death that marked all mankind through Adam’s fall, yet he left the world without going through death, Proof of the pronouncement of death had already appeared in Abel, murdered by his brother; and in Adam, dying at an advanced age. However, although death is stamped on all Adam’s race, in Enoch in type there is for the children of God who walk in faith, the hope of being taken to heaven without dying.
At this present time God finds pleasure in beholding the fruits of His grace, His people, purchased with the blood of His Son, who is soon coming to call them from earth to heaven.
ML-08/30/1964