Chapter 6—Seth and Enoch
This chapter is based on
Genesis 4:25
to
6:2
.
To Adam was given another son, to be the inheritor of the divine
promise, the heir of the spiritual birthright. The name Seth, given
to this son, signified “appointed,” or “compensation;” “for,” said the
mother, “God hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom
Cain slew.” Seth was of more noble stature than Cain or Abel, and
resembled Adam more closely than did his other sons. He was a worthy
character, following in the steps of Abel. Yet he inherited no more
natural goodness than did Cain. Concerning the creation of Adam it is
said, “In the likeness of God made He him;” but man, after the Fall,
“begat a son in his own likeness, after his image.” While Adam was
created sinless, in the likeness of God, Seth, like Cain, inherited the
fallen nature of his parents. But he received also the knowledge of the
Redeemer and instruction in righteousness. By divine grace he served
and honored God; and he labored, as Abel would have done, had he
lived, to turn the minds of sinful men to revere and obey their Creator.
“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 Jehovah.” The faith-
ful had worshiped God before; but as men increased, the distinction
between the two classes became more marked. There was an open pro-
fession of loyalty to God on the part of one, as there was of contempt
and disobedience on the part of the other.
Before the Fall our first parents had kept the Sabbath, which was
instituted in Eden; and after their expulsion from Paradise they contin-
ued its observance. They had tasted the bitter fruits of disobedience,
and had learned what every one that tramples upon God’s command-
ments will sooner or later learn—that the divine precepts are sacred
and immutable, and that the penalty of transgression will surely be
inflicted. The Sabbath was honored by all the children of Adam that
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remained loyal to God. But Cain and his descendants did not respect
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