Genealogical Record
Genesis 36 is a blissfully uneventful chapter. Sometimes it is good to have a few of these
once and a while. So in order to not
belabor the point, let’s just declare that this is a genealogy chapter and look
for what theological insights will be found today.
First, notice that this list attests to Esau’s being
blessed. In spite of him choosing wives
from among the Canaanites and in spite of him no doubt being led into the
worship of those Canaanite gods (or at the very least enduring the worship of
those gods in his household as Jacob did with Rachel) – God did bless Esau and
make him into a great nation. Again,
this should remind us that prosperity is not a sign of God’s approval as much
as it is a sign of His blessing. Esau is
indeed blessed.
Esau’s Wives
Let’s talk a little about Esau’s wives. In total, we have six names of women that
Esau married. There are the three
mentioned here in this chapter: Adah, Ohilibamah, and Basemath. In Genesis 26:34 we also find a reference to
Judith and a reference to another Basemath, this one a daughter of a Hittite
instead of the daughter of Ishmael. In
Genesis 28:9 we find mention of Mahalath, another daughter of Ishmael.
One of two things could be going one here. It is possible that Esau had six wives and by
this point in the story three of them had died.
It is also possible that Esau had three wives and they had multiple
names. Such a practice was not unheard
of in the ancient world. After all, we
know Abraham was also called Abram and Jacob was also called Israel!
Whatever the reason, what we do see is polygamy. Esau has married more than one woman, perhaps
as many as six. He has walked away from
the ways of God. Yet he still finds
himself blessed. Here is more evidence
that prosperity does not indicate righteousness. God blesses those whom He blesses. Those who are righteous are not always
prosperous and those who are prosperous are not always righteous. Certainly, as in the case of Abraham, we see
people who can be both blessed and righteous.
Speaking of Blessing
Also, note that Jacob and Esau had both been blessed so much
in the world that they are forced to part company. Sometimes prosperity isn’t the great thing
that it should be. Their flocks and
families are so large that they simply cannot be together. What a sad statement in that the worldly gain
of the world becomes a wedge between these reunited brothers.
However, notice that it is Esau who leaves. Esau is the one who moves on to greener pastures. Esau is the one who married Canaanites. He is the one who abandoned his
birthright. Now Esau is the one who
abandons the Promised Land. As we saw a
few chapters ago, Esau had changed to become more compassionate towards
Jacob. But he is still not seeing
through the lens of God.
Looking Ahead
Finally, know that the Edomites (Esau’s descendants) are a
thorn in the side of the Hebrew people for many years. So this relationship between Jacob and Esau
will continue. As powerful a nation as
Esau’s people become, we still see that generational sin gets in the way of
human beings living according to God’s desire for us. Esau’s people and Jacob’s people will
continue to be at odds long after Jacob and Esau are no longer present. But then again, cannot the same thing be said
for Ishmael’s people and Isaac’s people, Abraham’s children? If Abraham’s people cannot get along, why
should we think that Isaac’s children should get along, either?
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