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?