Daily Devotions
Genesis
"The righteousness of Your testimonies is everlasting; Give me understanding, and I shall live." Psalm 119:144
Text: Genesis 36:1-43
THE GRACIOUSNESS OF THE LORD
Even before Esau was born, the Lord gave intimation that he would be both strong and great. Though he was not the one chosen to inherit the land of Canaan, nevertheless, he would still be blessed by the Lord.
“And the Lord said to her,
‘Two nations are in your womb,
Two peoples shall be separated from your body…” GENESIS 25:23
The blessing of Isaac was not without importance. The Lord would hear his prayer on behalf of his firsborn son.
“Behold, your dwelling shall be of the fatness of the earth,
And of the dew of heaven from above.
By your sword you shall live… GENESIS 27:39-40a
THE GENEALOGY OF ESAU
The genealogy of Esau was recorded in the Scriptures, together with Abraham and Isaac.
“Now this is the genealogy of Esau, who is Edom…” GENESIS 36:1
What were some of the reasons his genealogy was recorded? Let us ponder at least three reasons:-
1. As evidence of God’s grace outpoured
Esau despised his birthright when he sold it away to his brother for a bowl of stew (Cf. Genesis 25:29). Nevertheless, the Lord blessed him greatly.
2. As fulfillment of God’s promise
The Lord’s promise to Abraham, and confirmed with Isaac, was that He would bless all His descendants. Esau too would not miss out on what God had promised!
3. To honour Esau
Esau had done himself proud by being reconciled with his brother Jacob. He had shown that he possessed a great heart of brotherly love. He had not allowed the foolishness and brashness often associated with youth to hinder his reconciliation with his only brother.
4. As history of the people called the Edomites
In the later history of Israel, there was constant enmity between Israel and Edom. They existed as if they were sworn enemies and yet they shared the same roots! The struggle between two brothers had ceased, but the rivalry between the two nations would persist, to the great detriment of both nations!