the beginning of repentance: "then men began to call upon the name of the LORD"

genesis 4:25-26:
"and adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name seth: for god, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of abel, whom cain slew. 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."

the story of salvation begins anew with seth, in a line which luke's gospel will continue to "jesus himself." (3:23-38) the linage in its fullness begins with chapter five, but it has this little introduction, ending "then began men to call upon the name of the LORD."

this verse introduces a theme which will be of tamtamount importance through the rest of scripture. in exodus, when the name of the lord, forgotten in captivity, is revealed to moses, it is because, "the LORD said, . . . the cry of the children of israel is come unto me." (3:7-9) even in the dark days of the judges, when "every man did that which was right in his own eyes," (judges 21:25) ". . . when the children of israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer to the children of israel, who delivered them . . . " (3:9)

even so, seth, the son of adam, began to call upon the name of the LORD, and the great song of salvation began to rise in a mighty chorus for all those who have ears to hear.