Genesis 4:25-26 / When Prayer Began

As one begins to deepen their study of the Bible, they gain tremendous insight when they realize that the Bible is one continuous story, with a central theme of God delivering His promise of redemption. From this perspective, then, we are able to see how things, like prayer, fit into this story. This gives a clean perspective to understand the purpose of these gifts that God has given us.

Why is it here?

Why now? Why did they start to call on the Lord at this particular time?

Cain’s linage saw even more violence, (murder) Lamech / 5 generations after Cain.

(According to Eve) God provided another offspring named Seth.

Who then fathered Enosh.

Not much mentioned about them except

This line of Seth would ultimately lead to Christ.

There was something special about this line.

So, there is not a lot of data telling us WHY.

We can guess, but that’s not a good idea.

OR we can take what scripture DOES tell us.

(Understanding the bible as one story)

There was a moment in time, after the fall, when calling on the name of the Lord became a part of the relationship with God.

What does it mean to “Call upon the name of the Lord.”?

I think we can all agree that the word we to describe this is “Prayer”

But apparently it is not the same as the conversations that were taking place in Eden, or between God and Cain.

”at THAT time…”(Gen 4:26)

Perhaps they realized that Gen 3:15 would take longer than anticipated.

As sin was continually growing in the world

(So perhaps this question needs some modification.)

What is the purpose of calling on the name of the Lord?

(What is the purpose of prayer?)

Very next time phrase is used is in Genesis 12.

God calls Abram out, and Abram follows.

Genesis 12:2–3 ESV

And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

We see this initial promise from God which we know as the Abrahamic Covenant.

We also know that verse three is pointing toward Christ.

As this story continues moving along a few verses later, now we see Abraham...

Genesis 12:8 ESV

From there he moved to the hill country on the east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. And there he built an altar to the Lord and called upon the name of the Lord.

This term is used inline with God’s promise to Abraham.

Promise = Covenant.

"Call on the name of the Lord” is presented to us as a part of Abraham’s covenant relationship with God.

(used again in chapter 13)

move forward to Isaac.

God had reiterated HIs promise several times

Isaac is told to wait in Canaan during a famine.

Ends up in Beersheba.

Genesis 26:24–25 ESV

And the Lord appeared to him the same night and said, “I am the God of Abraham your father. Fear not, for I am with you and will bless you and multiply your offspring for my servant Abraham’s sake.” So he built an altar there and called upon the name of the Lord and pitched his tent there. And there Isaac’s servants dug a well.

Again you see this action presented inline with God promises.

Throughout the Old Testament, you find this same trend.

We can come to this conclusion on the question “What was the purpose of calling on the name of the Lord.”

According to Miller,

“When this phrase is used in the Old Testament, it is asking God to intervene specifically to do one thing – to come through on his promises.”

Millar, Gary. Calling on the Name of the Lord (New Studies in Biblical Theology) (p. 22). InterVarsity Press. Kindle Edition.

Throughout the Old Testament, when people cry out to God

(whether for thanksgiving, praise, petition, or repentance)

we see it is attached in some why to the promises He has made.

Last week we read how Joshua cried out to God, “What will you do for your great name.”

So, what are the implications of this view of prayer?

Prayer was designed to be used in a fallen world.

Because of the timing of when it came into the story.

Prayer is a tool given to us by God.

Its more than just a way to keep the communication open.

Prayer is more than just a way to stay connected to God.

Prayer is a tool given to us by God, to engage in His work of redemption.

What is my logic for this statement?

Starting in Gen 3:15 we see a series of covenants that God makes.

All of which lead to Christ.

These covenants (promises) follow along a storyline about God delivering on HIs promise of redemption.

We call this story the Gospel.

If God is continually working toward fulfilling His promise of redemption,

and we are invited to join Him through prayer, then…

We should expect our prayers to engage us into the redemptive work that God is doing. And that work is the Gospel.

o By realizing that prayer is tied so closely with the Gospel, we can now come to a principle that should set the foundation of all your prayers.