Genesis 4 - Steve Wiggins Daily Devotional

“Adam knew his wife intimately again, and she gave birth to a son and named him Seth, for she said, ‘G_d has given me another child in place of Abel, since Cain killed him.’ A son was born to Seth also and he named him Enosh. At that time, people began to call on the name of the L_rd.” Genesis 4:25-26

Many, especially those in Eastern religions, believe the World must be held in a BALANCE of Good & Evil. The World is not designed for such balance. It runs most efficiently on Goodness, alone. We see this scenario displayed in the latter chapters of the Revelation, where all evil is expelled and sin is nowhere to be found. Yes, for a season, there is Evil and evil men, but G_d’s desire is for ALL to come to repentance.

“The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some people understand slowness, but is being patient with you. He does not want anyone to perish, but wants everyone to repent.” 2 Peter 3:9

So, is there balance in the World today? Is “Good” held in check by an “Evil” counterweight? No. There is only the perception of balance, because G_d’s Ruach (Spirit) restrains humanity from becoming completely evil. This restraint is only for a season, and expressly to call men unto repentance & submission to G_d. John 16:8-11

Perhaps, Eve held the belief that Cain & Abel provided that balance of Good and Evil. The Bible doesn’t say. After Cain’s murder, she named her next son, Seth. (Hebrew: Placed; appointed) Seth may have been a wonderful guy, but humans will never provide a moral balance because at our core, we are ALL sinners. There will never be enough “Mother Theresa’s” to offset the “Hitlers”. Furthermore, while we all wish to bestow names to our children that pronounce a blessing for their future, our fates are not determined beforehand. We each must choose to receive G_d’s grace. This means of salvation through faith was G_d’s design, not mankind’s.

"Yet to all who RECEIVED Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of G_d - children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of G_d." John 1:12-13.

Seth’s son, “Enosh” in Hebrew can be translated “mortal man” or “sick”. In one of the most misunderstood statements of the Bible, Enoch’s birth is considered by many theologians to have brought about revival, as a balance to Cain’s sinful family traditions. The word interpreted as, “BEGAN to call on the name of the L_rd” is the Hebrew, is “huchal”. This word is also interpreted as the homonym, “PROFANED”. Looking at the degradation of society leading up to Noah, it is clear that Enosh did not bring about such an expected revival. Rather, men began to PROFANE G_d’s name through idolatry. Perhaps, this was part of G_d’s reasoning for the first three Commandments.

Salvation comes not from a balance of good men, but exclusively from the righteousness of the “G_d-man”, Messiah Yeshua.

Blessings,
~Steve Wiggins, Associate Leader, Worship Leader
Shuvah Yisrael
Daily Devotional, Tuesday, January 14, 2014