How does Genesis 4:26 illustrate the beginning of public worship of God? Genesis 4:26 – The Verse “And to Seth also a son was born, and he called him Enosh. Then men began to call upon the name of the LORD.” (Berean Standard Bible) Setting the Stage • Humanity has experienced the Fall (Genesis 3) and the first murder (Genesis 4:8). • God graciously provides another line through Seth, showing His ongoing plan for redemption. • Enosh’s birth signals a new chapter: people respond to God’s grace with united devotion. The Key Phrase Explained: “Call upon the name of the LORD” • “Call upon” (Hebrew qārāʾ) means to invoke, proclaim, or cry out aloud. • “Name of the LORD” points to God’s revealed character and authority. • Together, the phrase indicates intentional, vocal acknowledgment of God before others. Why This Marks the Beginning of Public Worship • Prior to Enosh, interaction with God is personal (Cain and Abel’s offerings) or individual encounters (God speaking to Cain). • “Then men began” introduces something new—an ongoing, collective action. • The plural “men” points to community participation rather than private devotion. • Public worship answers escalating sin by turning hearts corporately toward their Creator. • The text presents worship as a literal historical development, not myth or allegory. Implications for Worship Today • Worship is a God-initiated response—He reveals; people respond. • Community matters: from the earliest days, faith was never meant to be isolated. • Vocal proclamation still defines gathered worship—singing, praying, reading Scripture. • Amid societal decline, the answer remains the same: publicly exalting the LORD. Key Takeaways • Genesis 4:26 records the literal starting point of public worship in human history. • Real people—Seth’s descendants—gathered to invoke God’s name together. • Corporate worship stands as a testimony against the darkness of sin and for the glory of God. |
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