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?

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?

Lineage of Problems

 

Lineage of Problems

Genesis 36: ⁹ And this is the genealogy of Esau the father of the Edomites in Mount Seir. ¹⁰ These were the names of Esau’s sons: Eliphaz the son of Adah the wife of Esau, and Reuel the son of Basemath the wife of Esau. ¹¹ And the sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho, Gatam, and Kenaz.

 

¹² Now Timna was the concubine of Eliphaz, Esau’s son, and she bore Amalek to Eliphaz. These were the sons of Adah, Esau’s wife.

 

¹³ These were the sons of Reuel: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah. These were the sons of Basemath, Esau’s wife.

 

¹⁴ These were the sons of Aholibamah, Esau’s wife, the daughter of Anah, the daughter of Zibeon. And she bore to Esau: Jeush, Jaalam, and Korah.

 

 

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Esau became the Father of the Edomites. This group of people would cause problems to anyone related to Esau’s brother Jacob, otherwise known as Israel. Eliphaz had one son in particular that would cause major problems for the Israelites. His name is Amalek.

 

My Observations:

• Esau’s sons followed him in the way against GOD.
• Eliphaz was Esau’s oldest and probably was most like Esau.
• Amalek was born from Timna, a concubine of Eliphaz.

 

Amalek was listed differently in this genealogy. Later we will find out why. He would become a prominent figure that would cause problems for the Israelites again and again. Teman, Eliphaz’s oldest son, would become a chief of in the Edomite clan.

 

Active rebellion against the LORD was what the Edomites would become known for. This stemmed from Esau’s choices and beliefs. Esau’s children would cause problems that needed GOD’s solution.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD seem to repeat Esau’s genealogy to Moses with more detail?
• Does small rebellion cause big problems for you later in life?
• What big problems are you facing that started out as something small, that you now need GOD’s help with?

Split Up Repeated

Split Up Repeated

Genesis 36: ⁶ 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. ⁷ 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. ⁸ So Esau dwelt in Mount Seir. Esau is Edom.

 

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When GOD told Abraham to leave his father’s land and “go to a place where I will show you” Abraham obeyed. He look Lot, his nephew, with him. The land could not handle all of their wealth so they had to split up. Lot chose poorly and went to Sodom and Gomorrah. Esau and Jacob found themselves in a similar dilemma. Their weal was too great and Esau decided to move, similar to Lot.

 

My Observations:

• Esau was a powerful influential hunter.
• Esau forgave Jacob, but never turned to the GOD of Jacob.
• Esau was the father of the Edomites, which would cause problems for the Israelites later on.

 

Refusing to follow GOD would be Esau’s downfall. Human success was more appealing than surrendering to GOD, who provides true success. On the surface Esau seemed ordinary. He had multiple wives, similar to Jacob. He had sons and daughters similar to him as well. But the one thing that was missing was a loving relationship GOD.

 

Esau knew about Isaac’s relationship with the LORD and went the opposite direction. Esau was treated very well by Isaac. In fact, Isaac preferred Esau’s skills over Jacob’s deception. Esau simply chose to follow the ways of the Canaanites. He chose to create a group of people who would not follow GOD.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD tell Moses about Esau becoming Edom?
• Have you ever rebelled against GOD?
• Is there a part of you that needs to surrender to GOD so HE can guide you back to HIS fruit bearing life today?