Finding Christ in the Old Testament - March 23

Finding Christ in the Old Testament

Genesis 4:25-26

"And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and called his name Seth, for she said, 'God has appointed for me another offspring instead of Abel, for Cain killed him.' 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."

The birth of Seth is a sign of God’s faithfulness and redemptive purpose. Though sin had wrought death through Cain’s murder of Abel, the Lord provided another seed—a foreshadowing of the promised Seed of the woman (Genesis 3:15). Just as Seth was given in place of the slain Abel, so too would Christ come as the Second Adam, restoring what sin had destroyed. The mention of calling upon the name of the Lord reveals a return to worship, a longing for redemption, and the beginnings of the visible Church. This anticipates Christ, in whose name all nations are gathered, and through whom all who call upon the Lord are saved (Romans 10:13).

Devotion

God is faithful to preserve His promise despite the ruin of sin. Though Abel was slain, Seth was given. Though death entered through Adam, life is restored in Christ. From the line of Seth would come the Redeemer, and in Him, we call upon the name of the Lord and are saved.

New Testament Verse:
Romans 10:13 (ESV) "For 'everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'"

Collect
O Lord, who preserves Your people and fulfills Your promise, grant that as You raised up Seth to continue the line of salvation, so we may be found among those who call upon Your name in faith. Keep us steadfast in Christ, the true Seed, that we may inherit life eternal; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever, unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Hymn Verse:
"Jesus, name of wondrous love,
Name all other names above,
Unto which must ev'ry knee
Bow in deep humility."

LSB 900:1, "Jesus! Name of Wondrous Love"