Genesis 36

Jacob was the chosen man of God in his generation. Does anyone care what happened to his older brother, Esau? God does. Genesis 36 records the story of the generations of Esau, whose descendants would become the nation of Edom, a neighbor, and frequent enemy of the Israelites.

We remember that we were earlier told about the women that Esau married. They were local girls from the nations that the Lord would eventually remove from the land of Canaan. Esau's mother, Rebekah, could not abide with them, and hearing this, Esau determined to get a third wife from the daughters of Ishmael. These marriages were the beginning of a significant ancient people.

Each of these women bore children for Esau. What that means is that during those years when Jacob was away from home and when Jacob's family was growing, Esau was also experiencing a similar blessing. One wife bore Eliphaz. A second bore Reuel. The third bore Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. These were the first children of Esau, while he was still living in the land of Canaan.

Just as Jacob eventually left one country and settled in another, Esau had his own migration. He took all of his children and his considerable property, and he went into a land away from his brother Jacob. This fulfilled God's earlier blessing to Jacob. The land of Canaan and all God's associated covenant promises would go to the descendants of the younger twin. The elder was to serve the younger. But Esau moved away from Jacob's land.

However the timing of this coincided with Jacob's return from Paddan-aram, we can at least say this: God had greatly blessed both of these men, though only one could be the father of the line through whom the Messiah would eventually come. That would be Jacob. Yet the Lord chose to record the progress of Esau and his descendants too. They settled in the hill country of Seir, the land that would be Edom.

So what happened to them? The descendants of Esau would be known as great men who had impressive chiefs. But they would not willingly take the place that God had announced for them as servants to the people of the Messiah, the descendants of Jacob, now known as Israel.

Their generations and leaders were not irrelevant to God and His people or they would not be recorded for us in the Scriptures. Even the names of the chiefs are entered here. Chiefs Teman, Omar, Zepho, Kenaz, Korah, Gatam, Amalek; Chiefs Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah; Chiefs Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. Just as Jacob's sons had names, so did Esau's. Just as Jacob's sons became clans, so did Esau's.

In addition, there were other leaders and clans that the Edomites lived near who were inhabitants of the land that became Edom. Jacob's descendants were not to intermarry with the local people. The Shechemites had sought such an alliance, and they were repulsed with deception and violence. But there was no divine instruction keeping Esau from being named with the local Horites and others.

They prospered for a time. They had kings in their land generations before David was God's chosen king in Jerusalem. We read the names of Bela, Jobab, Zerah, Husham, Hadad, Samlah, Shaul, Baal-hanan, and Hadar. These men of renown had special cities, famous wives, military victories, and many other achievements. What do we know of them now? What has come down to us? Are they not like all the other inhabitants of this earth? They were here for a time, but now they are long gone.

When Israel was being led by Moses on her journey through the wilderness, which group would have seemed more likely to have staying power, the Edomites or the Israelites? The generations that came from Esau had enjoyed decades of living in their land. They had notable leaders and cities. They had found their place and made their mark in the land that was Seir. What about Jacob's descendants? All this time they had been slaves in a land that was not their own. They still, after some 400 years, did not possess the land that God had promised to give to them. They were despised by the powerful people who had enslaved them. They were poor and helpless, crying out to God as those who had no kings, no military, and no hope.

But God had set His affection upon the descendants of Jacob, and His word is more powerful than all the chiefs and kings that the world can offer. He is able to make one seemingly insignificant life count.

The key to having a lasting difference in this world is to be connected to the suffering and glory of God's one eternal King. Moses chose to be associated with the people of Jacob rather than to have all the advantages of the courts of power in Egypt, an empire far more powerful than Edom.

Long before the Exodus, God had spoken a word about Jacob and Esau. The best thing that the descendants of Esau could have done in order to be people of lasting influence would have been to find their place as servants in the Lord's house according to His Word of promise.

The way to greatness is found in submission to the King of kings who gave Himself for us on the cross. Though His people may be at a disadvantage at one point in history or another, He will surely accomplish all of His purposes. Find a lasting inheritance in Him. Serve Him and live forever.