Genesis 36
Dear RTB’ers,
I didn’t have much to contribute yesterday, maybe even less today. One wonders at God including a full chapter on Esau’s descendants, when God’s promises of land and progeny have been given to Isaac. Esau moves south and southeast from Canaan to Seir, presumably driving out the current inhabitants, the Horites (Gen 36:20-30), and becomes his own mighty nation, Edom.
As Search the Scriptures references, we read more from the prophet Obadiah about Edom enjoying the devastation of Israel by foreigners. Where Edom is mentioned in Obadiah 1 my Study Bible has further references to Psalms, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Joel, Amos, and Malachi, so Edom, as Israel’s “relative” is important in Israel’s history. Later, as Israel leaves Egypt and travels toward the Promised Land, Edom refuses to allow Israel passage through its land and Israel is forced to take a much longer roundabout route. So as we continue to read through the Bible, when Edom is mentioned, we’ll know its connection to Esau and Jacob.
I’m intrigued by Esau’s moving to Seir, away from Canaan. Clearly the 20-year separation from his twin has softened his heart, even meeting Jacob as he returned from their uncle, Laban, and joining Jacob in burying their father. I’m guessing that over the years that Esau has recognized that both the birthright and the blessing went to Jacob and that he needs to make his own path.
Blessings!