Genesis 36:1 (ESV)
Esau's Descendants
1 These are the generations of Esau (that is, Edom).
Genesis 36:9 (ESV)
9 These are the generations of Esau the father of the Edomites in the hill country of Seir.
Genesis 36:15 (ESV)
15 These are the chiefs of the sons of Esau. The sons of Eliphaz the firstborn of Esau: the chiefs Teman, Omar, Zepho, Kenaz,
Genesis 36:19 (ESV)
19 These are the sons of Esau (that is, Edom), and these are their chiefs.
Genesis 36:40 (ESV)
40 These are the names of the chiefs of Esau, according to their clans and their dwelling places, by their names: the chiefs Timna, Alvah, Jetheth,
Even an Esau Matters to God.
To better understand the significance of the above genealogy of Esau, we have to read the following:
Malachi 1:3 (ESV)
3 but Esau I have hated. I have laid waste his hill country and left his heritage to jackals of the desert.”
Romans 9:13 (ESV)
13 As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”
The story of Jacob and Esau is important in God’s Word. In the above passages we see the genealogy of Esau. In the next chapter (37) we see the genealogy of his brother, Jacob (Israel). These names all matter to God. But, it is striking that even though God is said to “hate” Esau, we have this long list of his descendants, who became “chiefs” in the land. In the book of Hebrews he is used as an example of someone who disdained God and cast off God’s blessing:
Hebrews 12:16 (ESV)
16 that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal.
Yet, we see that God kept the promise of Isaac (Esau’s father) and made a great nation out him (Genesis 27:39-40). God keeps His promises. And, even though Esau was not of the “elect” (Romans 9) we see that God still took interest in him and fulfilled promises surrounding him. The lesson to learn here is that God blesses those He wills and gives blessing even to those who reject Him. God is sovereign and in control. God sees all the affairs of mankind, whether they are of the elect or not.
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