Two Sons - Two Pathways

Read Genesis 36
 
Genesis 36:1 This is the account of the descendants of Esau (also known as Edom). 
 
FROM our own cultures and perspectives, Genesis 36 may seem unimportant. But let’s remember that this is God’s story, and he wants us to know some reasons why Israel – and the church, too – has had very much opposition throughout the generations to this day. This account is similar to Genesis 25:12-17, the record of Ishmael’s descendants. Both men’s lineage oppose Jacob’s.
   OIshmael’s and Esau’s opposition is a conflict pattern in the Bible between brothers and their descendants. Return to Genesis 4-5 to remember Cain’s line opposing Seth’s lineage. Genesis 9-11 describes Noah’s son Ham’s descendants that would form Egypt and Canaan, who opposed his brother Shem’s lineage that led to Abraham and Israel. Then came the half-brothers Ishmael and Isaac whose descendants began the conflict that lasts to today.  
   Here are two things we learn of God in these brotherly battles: 1) God ordains particular people to lead people to salvation. 2) God permits opposition. It seems that opposition is God’s judgment tool against a lack of faith from his chosen people. Perhaps, too, opposition is God’s faith test for his chosen. It is easy to do what we believe if no one says, “Stop it. I oppose you.” But even when we know we are obeying God’s Word, people who say, “Stop it. I oppose you.” can cause us to quickly stop. We must remember our LORD calls us into a personal faith that overcomes all threats, even unto suffering and death.
   Genesis 36 also demonstrates the power of a father’s words. Isaac told Esau in the blessing of Genesis 27:39 “You will live away from the richness of the earth, and away from the dew of the heaven above. 40 You will live by your sword, and you will serve your brother. But when you decide to break free, you will shake his yoke from your neck.”
   This blessing is a prophecy that refers to both brothers’ descendants. Edom was a country on the verge of a desert land. It’s power was by the sword, often opposing Israel. But at one point Israel would rule Edom. The prophet Isaiah spoke several times of Edom’s destruction. Then Edom would break free of Israel’s yoke and continue to oppose them. Except for one brief encounter on Jacob’s return home, the brothers’ separation continued through the men’s lives and to their descendants for centuries thereafter.  
   These types of chapters in the Bible are generational interludes. They stop the action to account for God’s order and the writers’ purposes. Future generations looked to this informaiton to help them know who they are. We benefit, too, when we learn to trust God’s Word helps us understand why the world is as it is today.