Daily Devotions
Genesis
"Concerning Your testimonies, I have known of old that You have founded them forever." Psalm 119:152
Text: Genesis 36:1-43
THE RICHNESS OF THE LORD’S BLESSINGS
Yes, the Lord had promised to bless! But just how rich was the blessing outpoured? The following text gives us a glimpse of the abundance of blessing the Lord poured out on both Esau and Jacob.
“Then Esau took his wives, his sons, his daughters, and all
the persons of his household, his cattle and all his animals,
and all his goods which he had gained in the land of Canaan, and
went to a country away from the presence of his brother Jacob.
For their possessions were too great for them to dwell together,
and the land where they were strangers could not support them
because of their livestock. So Esau dwelt in Mount Seir.
Esau is Edom.” GENESIS 36:6-8“Their possessions were too great for them to dwell together”
This is the first statement that described that both brothers were greatly blessed by the Lord, not just one!
“The land where they were strangers could not support them because of their livestock”
Their livestock had grown so huge that the land had trouble supporting them. Flocks and herds need plenty of grazing ground. If both had large flocks and herds, wisdom dictates that one must give way to the other.
“So Esau dwelt in Mount Seir”
Esau and Jacob were now happily reconciled. Esau no longer felt threatened by Jacob. He wanted his brother to thrive as much as he had. Esau had already established himself in Edom before Jacob returned to Canaan. It did not seem too difficult a task for him to allow Jacob to settle down in Canaan while he developed his position in the land of Edom.
“Esau is Edom”
This statement must be carefully interpreted. How may we read this statement?
1. Esau had established himself in Edom as a powerful presence
There were tribes existing in Edom prior to his entrance into the land (Genesis 36:20-29). But over time, Esau exerted a powerful presence there.
2. Esau became the leading power in Edom
With time, Esau had become the leading tribe in the land of Edom! The past history of Edom was eclipsed with the presence of Esau and his sons (Genesis 36:9-19). Esau’s sons had become powerful chieftains in the land of Edom (Genesis 36:40-43). The Lord’s promise that Esau would become a nation was fulfilled!
STRANGERS IN THE PROMISED LAND
We come across an interesting phrase that described Jacob’s sojourn in Canaan.
“Now Jacob dwelt in the land where his father was a stranger,
in the land of Canaan.” GENESIS 37:1
How should we understand this statement? Did not the Lord promise them Canaan? How did they end up with this mindset – that they were but “strangers”? Let us consider the following thoughts:-
1. Describing the Initial stages
The text could well describe the initial stages of being established in the land of Canaan. But of course Isaac was only a stranger. He had only two sons, and a family of four people could hardly be called a large tribe capable of making its presence felt in Canaan.
2. Describing the Interim stage
The Lord had promised Canaan to Abraham and to his descendants. However, in a dream given to Abraham, he was told that his descendants would be in bondage (in Egypt) until the time was ripe and ready for Israel to possess Canaan (Cf. Genesis 15:12-21). Until then, wisdom dictates that Isaac and even Jacob should conduct themselves wisely in Canaan.
3. Describing a significant expression of faith
The Book of Hebrews certainly described Abraham as one who possessed the necessary faith to see himself as only a “stranger” in Canaan.
“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out
to the place which he would receive as an inheritance.
And he went out, not knowing where he was going.
By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country,
dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him
of the same promise; for he waited for the city which
has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”
HEBREWS 11:8-10
AN INTERESTING APPLICATION OF THE WORD “TENT”
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob all lived in tents, despite their wealth! The Apostle Peter used the word “tent” to describe his existence on earth.
“Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent,
to stir you up by reminding you,
knowing that shortly I must put off my tent…” 2 Peter 1:13-14
What a challenging way of looking at the short time we have on earth!