Luke 3:38. the son of Enos, the son of Seth
When Adam and Eve sinned, God immediately promised them redemption through a son. An offspring. A seed. A baby boy that would crush the head of the serpent’s offspring – death.
Genesis 3:15. [God speaking to the serpent] I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.
Was Cain the promised boy hero that would crush sin and death? Obviously not. Sin crouched at Cain’s door and consumed him.
Was second born Abel the one? Though a man of faith, Abel was still a sinner himself who needed to bring a lamb sacrifice to God for atonement.
What about Eve’s third son, Seth? Still the seed of the woman as God had promised Eve, but is he evil’s “head crusher?” After 912 long years, with the passing of Seth, clearly he too is not the conqueror of death.
And so we wait.
The advent of the hero will not be anytime soon. This could take thousands and thousands of years. Hundreds and hundreds of generations may pass. What will be mankind’s response to this long season of advent? How will Jesus’ ancestors wait for Jesus?
Genesis 4:26. To Seth also a son was born, and he called his name Enosh. At that time people began to call upon the name of the Lord.
Seth named his son Enosh, which means “weak.” Was it this recognition of their own weakness that brought humanity to their knees. At that time people began to call upon the name of the Lord. What prayers did Seth’s children pray? What words were on their lips before God? What faith filled petitions rose to Heaven? And as each generation passed from the Earth without the promised savior’s arrival what will be the people’s response? What will be our response?
Just like Seth and Enos, we too have a choice to make in our waiting. Will we call upon the name of the Lord? Will we trust him in our waiting? Will this Christmas season drive us to our knees? Or will we place our hope in lesser saviors? Gifts? Traditions? Family gatherings? Time off from work? Vacations? Bonus checks?
Seth knew he wasn’t the savior. He knew that he was weak. That humanity was weak. He literally named his firstborn son after his inability to save himself. Seth and his son called upon Yahweh for salvation. They looked to Heaven for rescue not to the things of earth. For us that rescue has come in the firstborn son of Mary. The one who took on humanity’s weakness (Enos) so that we might become strong.
As we are back to waiting for his blessed return, may we never fail to call upon the name of the Lord. His name is Jesus. And because of our union with Christ, his name is written on our hearts. May it ever be on our lips.
Questions.
What lesser saviors does the Christmas season reveal to you? How can you use this Advent season as an opportunity to see your weakness and call upon the name of the Lord?
To Live is Christ 