Most likely, Adam and Eve bore other children after Cain and Abel but, Seth is worthy of mention because he “replaces” Abel in the sense that he is a man of faith like his brother. This reminds me of the scripture we read a couple of weeks ago from Esther, chapter 4, when Mordecai is appealing to Esther to plead for her people’s life. He tells her “if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish (Esther 4:14). When a man or woman of faith is taken out of the world or fails to take action in it, God’s work does not end; as Mordecai told Esther, God raises up another to take his or her place.
This reminds me of a quote from Charles Wesley I read recently. The quote is found on the base of a marble memorial to Charles and his brother John in Westminster Abbey in London. It reads: “God buries His workman, but He carries on His work.” Through Seth and then his son, Enosh the work of God continues. We trace the linage of those who “began to call upon the name of the LORD” to Noah this week and learn how Noah saves a remnant of God’s people when the world is destroyed by a flood.
I believe the same thing holds true today. God’s work continues through his people. My prayer is that by continuing to call upon God’s holy name we will be receptive to the ways that God is leading us to take part.
