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I. Consider THE STATE OF THE TIMES HERE REFERRED TO. "Then" — "then began men to call upon the name of the Lord." What was the state of the times, when this revival of religion took place? It was very bad. There were evidently two parties — the children of men and the sons of God — the men of this world and the men not of this world — the faithful in Christ Jesus and the unbelieving and ungodly. And these, it seems — the worldly-minded and corrupt — were growing greatly in boldness and recklessness of crime. They congregated in cities, and so kept each other in countenance; they had their unions for pleasure, for business, for sin; they poured contempt on God and godliness. Meanwhile the godly seed were few and separated. They worshipped God in privacy in their families. They wanted more of union with each other. It was now necessary to make a stand for true religion. What they believed with their heart, it was high time to confess with their lips.

II. Consider THE PUBLIC REVIVAL OF RELIGION WHICH THEN TOOK PLACE. The pious found it necessary and desirable to unite more closely together; and they found their bond of union in "the name of the Lord." "They began," the margin of our Bible says it may be rendered — "they began to call themselves by the name of the Lord." Probably the expression includes both ideas; they "began to call themselves by the name of the Lord," and they also "began to call upon His name."

1. They "called themselves by His name." They owned themselves openly His people. They were not ashamed of Him — of His name, of His truth, of His cause, nor of His people. They knew God in His grace, in the promise of the Messiah, by the help of the Spirit. What they knew, they believed; what they believed, they confessed; they "called themselves by the name of the lord."

2. And then they also "called upon the name of the Lord." We cannot think that so many years had passed away, and men had not yet begun to pray by themselves in secret, or with their households in family worship. But "then men began to call upon the name of the Lord" in social, united, and public worship. This probably is the meaning. The enemies of God were publicly united, and the people of God began publicly to unite. Those, for ungodly purposes; these, to promote vital godliness. The former, for profaneness; the latter, for prayer. This was a decided step; when they came out of their family circles and closets, to join together in public worship. Doubtless it attracted much observation, and excited much ridicule. Can you not fancy the ungodly of that day mocking the men of God as they went to their place of worship? disturbing (it may be) the little band when assembled, or following them with their taunts? But in vain. The Spirit of God brought His children to unite as brethren.

III. Consider our OWN INSTRUCTION in this subject. What is the state of our times? Is it good or bad? It is very mixed — much as it was then. Numbers have altogether erroneous views of the way of salvation. Numbers advocate another gospel than that of Jesus Christ. Infidelity also prevails to a fearful extent. But, still, there is a bright side also. There are more than a few now who know and who believe from the heart the promise of the Seed of the woman, and all its glorious fulfilment in the person, in the work, in the doctrine, in the grace of Jesus Christ. These also do "call upon the name of the Lord" in private. Oh! we are not of their number, if we neglect private prayer. Then, also, most persons of true piety do now call upon God in their families. But would we see religion revived? We must "call ourselves after the name of the Lord"; confess Christ faithfully before men; be not ashamed of Christian principles. And there must also be revived delight in public worship. This has ever been the case in revivals of true religion. Religion never flourishes without diligent and faithful use of the appointed means of grace.

(J. Hambleton, M. A.)

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KJV: And 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 the LORD.

WEB: There was also born a son to Seth, and he named him Enosh. Then men began to call on Yahweh's name.