Genesis 36

Genesis 36:6-8

Esau was a very wealthy man. Jacob was wealthy as well. We see another incident where two men were forced to go separate directions because of their wealth. As they split let us observe which directions these two were heading spiritually.

I appreciate Esau, and his willing to forgive. He originally sold his birthright to his conniving brother, lost his blessing to this brother, and then vowed to murder this same brother. Just as always, Esau could not even stay true to his hate. He loses his grudge to Jacob and rejoices when he has the chance to see him again. By now, Esau had taken a wife from the line of Ishmael. This is Basemath (Gen 36:2), who is also called Mahalath (Gen. 28:9). He had done this in an attempt to out due his brother and receive a blessing from his father. Unfortunately for him, the Lord had made his decision long before and the long of promise was certainly not coming from Ishmael, but from Abraham’s side.

We now look at Jacob. We know of Jacob’s early scheming ways. Out of all this, I honestly believe Jacob loved the Lord a sought what was right. In Bethel, he has a vision of a stairway to heaven. From that point on he seeks to know this God personally. He will later wrestle with God, which will leave him permanently hobbled physically, and permanently blessed spiritually. Esau took a wife rather quickly. Jacob went out and worked 7 years for his. As Tommy mentioned, the time just flew by for Jacob. He was so in love, “They seemed only a few days.” However, Jacob got duped, and ended up with Leah. The promised line would come from Leah and not Rachel. Jacob would have to work another 7 years. From there Jacob had to flee Laban. It was then that he would meet up with Esau again. All this had happened since that fateful day Isaac was to give the blessing. The ironic thing is, Isaac was still alive.

Now comes the parting of ways. One of them leaves as Israel, who prevails with God. The other would be known as Edom, or “red / of blood.” The only different between these two, which really stands out for me, is that one followed God. Esau reminds me of one of those good guys you know, who are not saved, but seem to be enjoying life all the same. Jacob reminds me of one of those brothers who seem to always be taking blow after blow, but they faithfully hold on to Jesus. Always prevail with God, no matter how tough the road seems. I would rather live a hard life for Jesus, then be given everything in gift-wrap and have a hole in my heart.