We have learned from the record of Cain and Abel of the presence of two seeds upon

the earth.

The enmity which exists between these two seeds is irreconcilable. It is a fundamental

of dispensational truth to recognize the presence and the utter contrast of the principles

for which Cain and Abel stand.

The name "acquisition" is affixed to that which is evil, the name "vanity" to that

which is good, for another fundamental of dispensational truth is that the present life is

comparable to a wilderness journey, and that the believer's hope lies beyond it. We now

turn to the consideration of what the Scriptures teach about Seth, the son of Adam.

At the birth of this son we read that his mother "called his name Seth, for God, said

she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew" (Gen. 4: 25).

The word "appointed" and the name "Seth", are alike in the original. There is an

important difference between the record of Cain and Abel, and that of "Seth"; in the

former case we have a record of deeds, we are told the daily occupation of the two seeds,

we are told of the acts of worship also, we are told of the sin of Cain and of his

punishment: this is in contrast with the record of Seth. Of Seth's actions we know

nothing. He had a son whom he called Enos, meaning "frail" or "incurable", he had other

sons and daughters unnamed, and died at the age of 912 years. The man's individual

actions therefore do not constitute the special lesson for us, it is his position in the line of

purpose that does. A similar observation may be passed upon the life of Isaac. Of the

three "fathers" of Israel, Isaac's life is the most passive and quiet' as the type of the

promised Seed, his birth, and his offering on the mount are of more importance than his

subsequent manner of life, and from another standpoint Isaac, like Seth, speaks of

substitution, for Isaac (and in Isaac, all Israel) lived because of a ram that was offered

"instead".

The words of Gen. 4: 25 indicate that Abel was, humanly speaking, the chosen vessel

through whom the deliverer should come, for Eve tells us that Seth was appointed as

"another seed instead of Abel". It is beyond the limits of Scripture, and therefore beyond

the bounds of our investigation or speculation, to fathom the mystery that lies beyond

these simple words. On the surface it appears that Cain spoiled the purpose of the Lord,

and that He was compelled to appoint another to take Abel's destined place.

Appearances however are deceptive. We believe the fact of Scripture that the Lord will

accomplish all His pleasure, and leave the demonstration of this truth to the Lord Himself

in His own good time. For us, the more important truth is that God definitely accepts and

adopts the principal of substitution in the accomplishing of His purpose.