Unfortunate Legacy

Unfortunate Legacy

Genesis 36: ⁴⁰ And these were the names of the chiefs of Esau, according to their families and their places, by their names: Chief Timnah, Chief Alvah, Chief Jetheth, ⁴¹ Chief Aholibamah, Chief Elah, Chief Pinon, ⁴² Chief Kenaz, Chief Teman, Chief Mibzar, ⁴³ Chief Magdiel, and Chief Iram. These were the chiefs of Edom, according to their dwelling places in the land of their possession. Esau was the father of the Edomites.

 

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Many of Esau’s relatives became chiefs of Edom. These groups would spread throughout the region of Canaan.

 

My Observations:

• Esau was mentioned as the father of the Edomites, but not in a good way.
• Esau’s attitude towards GOD was the same as Canaan.
• Esau raised his relatives to do and act as they pleased because their might was in war.

 

During the listing of the Kings of Edom, the word “attacked” was used. The Edomites were similar to other groups who practiced fighting and building weapons. They organized themselves by having chiefs who would remain loyal to the Edomite ways.

 

Unfortunately, the way of the Edomite was to do the opposite of the pre-incarnate JESUS. Esau was generations after the Garden of Eden was destroyed. It seemed like the further away from the destruction of the garden, the more people fell into their own beliefs. GOD saw it all and allowed it with grace.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about the chief of Edom?
• Have you ever wanted a human legacy that did not include GOD?
• If you desire a legacy, will you include GOD?

Decision Makers Succeeded

Decision Makers Succeeded

Genesis 36: ³¹ Now these were the kings who reigned in the land of Edom before any king reigned over the children of Israel: ³² Bela the son of Beor reigned in Edom, and the name of his city was Dinhabah. ³³ And when Bela died, Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his place. ³⁴ When Jobab died, Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned in his place. ³⁵ And when Husham died, Hadad the son of Bedad, who attacked Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his place. And the name of his city was Avith. ³⁶ When Hadad died, Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his place. ³⁷ And when Samlah died, Saul of Rehoboth-by-the-River reigned in his place. ³⁸ When Saul died, Baal-Hanan the son of Achbor reigned in his place. ³⁹ And when Baal-Hanan the son of Achbor died, Hadar reigned in his place; and the name of his city was Pau. His wife’s name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab.

 

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Israel, did not have a king, but Esau’s people did. Many Edom kings were listed. All died.

 

My Observations:

• Edom kings reigned for a short period of time then died and someone took his place.
• War and raiding were the marks left by Edomite kings.
• Kings were put in place to decide what large groups of people would do.

 

Israel had GOD as their leader, therefore did not need a king. Other groups felt they needed a decision maker put in place to guide them in their activities. Unfortunately, the human kings would desire power and wealth. Armies were formed to raid and pillage surrounding lands.

 

Sodom and Gomorrah had kings, Bera and Birsha. When GOD destroyed the cities, Abraham became feared. But as time went on, the fear dissipated. GOD flooded the earth, destroyed a city with fire and the people soon forgot HIS power. The people of Edom desired human results.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD mention “before any king reigned over the children of Israel” to Moses?
• Are you desperately desiring human results?
• Can you wait on GOD’s results versus the human results you may be seeking?

All in the Family

All in the Family

Genesis 36: ²⁰ These were the sons of Seir the Horite who inhabited the land: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, ²¹ Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan. These were the chiefs of the Horites, the sons of Seir, in the land of Edom.

²² And the sons of Lotan were Hori and Hemam. Lotan’s sister was Timna.

²³ These were the sons of Shobal: Alvan, Manahath, Ebal, Shepho, and Onam.

²⁴ These were the sons of Zibeon: both Ajah and Anah. This was the Anah who found the water in the wilderness as he pastured the donkeys of his father Zibeon. ²⁵ These were the children of Anah: Dishon and Aholibamah the daughter of Anah.

²⁶ These were the sons of Dishon: Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran, and Cheran. ²⁷ These were the sons of Ezer: Bilhan, Zaavan, and Akan. ²⁸ These were the sons of Dishan: Uz and Aran.

²⁹ These were the chiefs of the Horites: Chief Lotan, Chief Shobal, Chief Zibeon, Chief Anah, ³⁰ Chief Dishon, Chief Ezer, and Chief Dishan. These were the chiefs of the Horites, according to their chiefs in the land of Seir.

 

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Esau was related to Seir by marriage to Aholibamah, Zibeon’s granddaughter. The Horites were cave dwellers and were intertwined with Esau’s family. Esau’s son Eliphaz had a concubine named Timna who was a sister to Lotan, Seir’s son.

 

My Observations:

• One of Esau’s wives, Aholibamah, was a child od Anah who found water in the wilderness.
• Esau’s rebellion of GOD spread to another group of people called the Horites who would later fight against the Edomites.
• Zibeon was significant amongst the Horites and may have influenced Esau as well as being influenced by him.

 

Horites and the Edomites seemed to start off as one big happy family. Like Esau, Seir had sons who became chiefs. Edomites and Horites seemed to be ready for battle. But who were they fighting? One being they had as an enemy was GOD.

 

To me, JESUS pre-incarnated, had appeared and spoke with Jacob. HE renamed him Israel and walked with HIM, protecting him. But Esau’s family and extended family did the opposite and enjoyed it. They fought against the belief in the pre-incarnate JESUS. This notable rebellion would cause problems for the Israelites.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD go into detail about Esau’s relatives to Moses?
• Are you part of GOD’s family?
• Will you hold onto your belief in GOD even if the people you are surrounded by do not believe in CHRIST as the Savior?

Sons into Chiefs

Sons into Chiefs

Genesis 36: ¹⁵ These were the chiefs of the sons of Esau. The sons of Eliphaz, the firstborn son of Esau, were Chief Teman, Chief Omar, Chief Zepho, Chief Kenaz, ¹⁶ Chief Korah, Chief Gatam, and Chief Amalek. These were the chiefs of Eliphaz in the land of Edom. They were the sons of Adah.

 

¹⁷ These were the sons of Reuel, Esau’s son: Chief Nahath, Chief Zerah, Chief Shammah, and Chief Mizzah. These were the chiefs of Reuel in the land of Edom. These were the sons of Basemath, Esau’s wife.

 

¹⁸ And these were the sons of Aholibamah, Esau’s wife: Chief Jeush, Chief Jaalam, and Chief Korah. These were the chiefs who descended from Aholibamah, Esau’s wife, the daughter of Anah. ¹⁹ These were the sons of Esau, who is Edom, and these were their chiefs.

 

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Eliphaz and Reuel became Esau’s strongest sons and the leaders of the Edomites. Eliphaz led his uncle Korah who is mentioned twice. Korah is not to be confused with the Korah who rebelled against Moses later on.

 

My Observations:

• Esau seemed to want power.
• Esau groomed his sons to become mighty warriors like himself.
• Esau taught his sons self-reliance that did not include GOD.

 

Small groups led by chiefs made the Edomites strong. These groups would disperse throughout the land of Canaan and would eventually cause problems for the Israelites. Esau may have forgiven Jacob, but did not forget.

 

Rebellion to GOD seemed to begin with Canaan. Any behavior was acceptable behavior with the people who followed the ways of Canaan. He seemed to desire that the curse placed on him by Noah, would not come to pass. But little did he know, that JESUS would be born through the lineage of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The Pre-incarnate JESUS saw everything the Edomites were doing.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about the Chiefs of Edom?
• Have you ever felt you needed to belong to a group because of its numbers but realized it is not where GOD wanted you?
• Is fear keeping you in a group you know is harmful to your relationship with GOD?