And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and called his name Seth, for she said, “God has appointed for me another offspring instead of Abel, for Cain killed him.” (Genesis 4:25 ESV)
When playing bridge, I was taught to play each hand as if my partner across the table has exactly the cards that we need to win. It seemed risky at first. But eventually I agreed that I could either play with hesitancy or doubt… or with the idea in my mind that together we have what we need.
Maybe God is like the perfect bridge-partner. Except when we need Him to play the right card, He always does. Even better, He is a good enough bridge player to play the card that we really need… not merely the card we desire.
Adam and Eve must have been devastated by the murder in their family. Disappointment, anger, guilt, and fear were just a few of their likely and reasonable reactions. They had lost both sons, really. With one son dead, and one son outcast, how could the Messiah come? Despair had moved in with them.
They needed something, but probably could not even articulate their need.
But God gave them the exact right thing. You might think I refer to Seth, but it is more than that. In giving Seth to Eve and Adam, God was giving something even more useful and appropriate. God played exactly the right card.
He thrust love into their crisis. He loved them by giving them a third son. Eve’s comment shows that she sees this. But He also loved them by giving them someone to love.
Because love is often the exact answer to our problems. Loving someone redirects our attention from selfishness. Loving someone fills the empty spots that loss leaves in its wake.
The love that Eve had towards Seth enabled her to love God. The love that Eve had towards Seth enabled her to revive her future. The love that eve had towards Seth enabled her to be human again, as humans were created to be.
Loving someone justifies faith and brings hope. For us, just as much as for Eve.
Take the love God offers.