It’s a little tough to find a takeaway in this chapter, it is a genealogy and account of kings/chiefs of the land of Esau (that is, Edom).
“Esau took his wives from the women of Canaan: Adah daughter of Elon the Hittite, and Oholibamah daughter of Anah and granddaughter of Zibeon the Hivite – also Basemath daughter of Ishmael and sister of Nebaioth. Adah bore Eliphaz to Esau, Basemath bore Reuel, and Oholibamah bore Jeush, Jalam and Korah. These were the sons of Esau, who were born to him in Canaan. (v2-5)
There are many names listed in this chapter – Esau’s sons, Esau’s grandsons, The Sons of Seir the Horite (the ruler of the country of “Seir” in which Esau’s clan lived), and a list of rulers of the country of Seir/Edom.
Some points of interest around the account of this chapter:
– v31-43 are quoted in 1 Chr 1:43-54.
– the Edomites (Esau’s descendants) eventually kill/drive out the Horites (Seir’s descendants) and have complete control of the land.
– in Numbers 20:14-21 on Israel’s way out slavery in Egypt they are headed back to the Canaan area and are forced to go around Edom, because Edom meets them with an army and refuses the Israelites passage through their country
– “These were the kings who reigned in Edom before any Israelite king reigned” (v31) led me to look into the reign of an “Israelite king” and according to external historical sources, King Saul conquers Edom and places it under Israelite rule. David and Solomon also have it as part of their rule. When Israel splits into two kingdoms, Israel and Judah under the rule of Rehoboam (Solomon’s son), Edom stays under Judah’s control (it neighbors Judah). Eventually they lose control when Babylon invades and takes Israel into slavery again.
There are a few more historical tidbits around the Edomites but these are the main highlights. Long story short, Just like Jacob and Esau were at odds with each other, their descendants (the nations of Israel and Edom) are at odds with each other for many more generations.
My prayer for today is that despite any animosity we may have with those in our past (or present), God’s heart of reconciliation would be revealed to us and guide us through the process of restoration. I don’t want to be like the peoples of Israel/Edom – at odds for generations. I want to lead a life and leave a legacy of peaceful co-existence. That doesn’t mean I have to agree with what those around me are doing/believing, it just means having an accord with them so I could hopefully pass through their country rather than be forced to go around (metaphorically speaking).
~ Conqueror in Training