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?

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?

 

Another Culture

Another Culture

Genesis 36: Now this is the genealogy of Esau, who is Edom. ² Esau took his wives from the daughters of Canaan: Adah the daughter of Elon the Hittite; Aholibamah the daughter of Anah, the daughter of Zibeon the Hivite; ³ and Basemath, Ishmael’s daughter, sister of Nebajoth. ⁴ Now Adah bore Eliphaz to Esau, and Basemath bore Reuel. ⁵ And Aholibamah bore Jeush, Jaalam, and Korah. These were the sons of Esau who were born to him in the land of Canaan.

 

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Before Jacob left to get married, Esau his twin brother, took wives from the local women. Isaac and Rebekah had settled in the land of Canaan. Esau married Adah a Hittite  and Aholibamah a Hivite. Isaac and Rebekah disapproved the marriage choices. Esau went to his uncle Ishmael’s people and married Mahalath, meaning beautifully adorned; mild; smooth, pleasing to the touch; rhythmic movements; sweet, harmonious sounds; dancers; singers; cithara; harp; lyre. She may also be referred to as Basemath, meaning Sweet-smelling or sweet smile.

 

My Observations:

• Esau chose to give up his birthright for food he could have fixed for himself.
• Esau chose to marry women who disregarded pre-incarnate JESUS.
• Esau tried to change his ways by seeking a woman outside of the Canaanite women.

 

GOD told the story of Jacob, then turns the story over to Esau. During Jacob’s 20 years he was away, Esau lived differently. Deeply hurt by Jacob’s deception. Esau vowed to kill Jacob. But instead, he forgave him. Esau seemed to focus his attention on growing warrior leaders. His hunting skills were impeccable. Isaac loved his skills.

 

But unfortunately, Esau chose to not listen to the pre-incarnate JESUS. He did things his way and lived a life that rebelled, just like the children of Canaan. Esau was highly influenced by the Canaan culture, which rebelled not too long after the ark landed on dry land. The disrespectful culture had gotten to Esau.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD go backwards and mention Esau to Moses?
• Do you believe that you are either for GOD or against HIM?
• What ways do you fight GOD and have you asked HIM to guide those ways?

Facing Failures

Facing Failures

Genesis 32: ³ Then Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother in the land of Seir, the country of Edom. ⁴ And he commanded them, saying, “Speak thus to my lord Esau, ‘Thus your servant Jacob says: “I have dwelt with Laban and stayed there until now. ⁵ I have oxen, donkeys, flocks, and male and female servants; and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find favor in your sight.” ’ ”

 

⁶ Then the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, “We came to your brother Esau, and he also is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him.” ⁷ So Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed; and he divided the people that were with him, and the flocks and herds and camels, into two companies. ⁸ And he said, “If Esau comes to the one company and attacks it, then the other company which is left will escape.”

 

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GOD told Jacob to return to the land of Isaac and Rebekah. Unfortunately, he had one major problem, namely Esau. Jacob had stolen his birthright and his blessing. He barley escaped with his life when he left. Esau stated he would kill Jacob but Rebekah helped Jacob escape.

 

My Observations:

• GOD sent Jacob back to a place where he had to face his past mistakes.
• Jacob suspected that Esau would still be mad, so he sent messengers ahead to imply he had plenty of gifts to give away.
• Jacob got “greatly afraid and distressed” when he heard Esau was coming to meet him with four hundred men.

 

Being sent back home to a hostile environment may have felt terrible, especially when it was caused by Jacob. BUT GOD had a reason that Jacob was not aware of. GOD was changing Jacob to become a leader who faced situations caused by his own actions. Jacob knew the situation was very serious so he divided the camp in half and prepared them to flee.

 

Jacob was doing what you and I would do. He braced himself for the worst and expected Esau to inflict revenge. Maybe he thought he deserved punishment. Perhaps, deep down he felt he was sorry things happened the way they did. Whatever the case, Jacob faced a difficult situation head on so he could move forward.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD told Moses about Jacob’s plan to return to Esau?
• What mistake have you made that you are afraid to admit?
• Can you face the fear of admitting the mistake you made without fighting the consequences you may face so GOD can move you forward?