Read Genesis 36:1-43
Romans 9:13 As it
is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
Hate is a very powerful
word for us humans to use and especially for a Christian. As Christians were
are continually admonished to forgive one another and to avoid hatred at all
costs. We are told in 1John 3:15 that Whosoever
hateth his brother is a murderer…
So
how then can God justify His hatred for us without allowing us the same
“privilege”?
I believe the answer is twofold:
1. Certain
aspects of God’s character are based on His Divine nature. For example; as God,
He is love and by His nature He abhors all evil and separates Himself
from evil. Esau, from the beginning openly displayed his disdain for the things
of God and likewise openly declared his appetite for the things of the flesh.
Therefore God, in His righteousness, denied Esau the birthright and gave it to
Jacob. The very nature of God demands of Him to hate all evil and separate Himself from it.
2. To
the contrary, man’s nature is flawed from his beginning in the Garden when man
fell from God’s grace; therefore man’s hatred
is based on his evil nature as opposed to being righteousness.
1-5
Not only did Esau take a wife, he took three from the
Hittites in the land of Canaan. This violated God’s original intent that a man
ought to have one wife; further that the wife ought to be of the same tribe and
not of the Canaanites or any other tribe, Abraham sent his servant to find a
wife of his brother’s family; signifying the principle of not uniting in
marriage with unbelievers. Canaanites were not believers in the Creator God.
they were worshipers of idols and false gods.
6-43
The sons and daughters of Esau and their posterity, and
habitations are listed. Esau is called the father of the Edomites.
Ishmael vs Esau
Just for a moment let us compare Ishmael to Esau.
·
Ishmael was never eligible for the
birthright, being the son of a bondwoman, Hagar. Though he was the firstborn of
Abraham the birthright belonged to Isaac, the son of promise.
·
Esau, as a freeman, was first in line to
receive the birthright over Jacob; however he demonstrated his disdain for the
birthright by selling it to Jacob.
·
Both were blessed with a separate blessing
aside from the birthright, demonstrating God’s love and care for all His
creation, …for He maketh his sun to rise
on the evil and on the good, and sendeth the rain on the just and the unjust
Matt. 5:45b.
·
Later in life, both desired the birthright
but were cut off Heb.12:16-17.
·
Both made perpetual war with Israel, all for
the birthright.
·
Esau/Edom eventually became extinct as a
tribe.
Conversion to Judiasm
The
question arises concerning Edom’s conversion to Judiasm. Based on the following
quote it is my position that no person can be “forced” to convert to any
religion. Such supposed “conversion” can be only by fleshly actions and not
of the heart. As you can see the Edomites though “converted” retained their
hatred for the Jews. The conversion to Christianity must be of the heart and
spirit and not the flesh thus establishing a “true conversion”. A truly converted person cannot deny their
faith and regress into an unbelieving state. Salvation is the divine act of God
and not a mere act of the flesh. See
Matt.13:3-9; 18-23.
“During the Maccabean wars, the
Edomites were subjugated by the Jews and forced to convert to Judaism. Through
it all, the Edomites maintained much of their old hatred for the Jews. When Greek became the common
language, the Edomites were called Idumaeans. With the rise of the Roman
Empire, an Idumaean whose father had converted to Judaism was named king of
Judea. That Idumaean is known in history
as King Herod the Great, the tyrant who ordered a massacre in Bethlehem in an
attempt to kill the Christ child (Matthew
2:16-18).
After Herod's death, the Idumaean people slowly disappeared from history. God had foretold the destruction of the Edomites in Ezekiel 35:15, saying, “As you rejoiced over the inheritance of the house of Israel, because it was desolate, so I will deal with you; you shall be desolate, Mount Seir, and all Edom, all of it. Then they will know that I am the Lord”. Despite Edom’s constant efforts to rule over the Jews, God's prophecy to Rebekah was fulfilled: the older child served the younger, and Israel proved stronger than Edom.” http://www.gotquestions.org/Edomites.html#ixzz3Ac64H8gv
After Herod's death, the Idumaean people slowly disappeared from history. God had foretold the destruction of the Edomites in Ezekiel 35:15, saying, “As you rejoiced over the inheritance of the house of Israel, because it was desolate, so I will deal with you; you shall be desolate, Mount Seir, and all Edom, all of it. Then they will know that I am the Lord”. Despite Edom’s constant efforts to rule over the Jews, God's prophecy to Rebekah was fulfilled: the older child served the younger, and Israel proved stronger than Edom.” http://www.gotquestions.org/Edomites.html#ixzz3Ac64H8gv
Domain of Edomites
The hill country South of the Dead
Sea in Mt.Seir became their domain. Edom means “red” because of the red
sandstone in the reigon where they lived.
The Hebrews were not to
abuse, hate or enslave the tribe of Esau as they were close relatives. Thou shalt not abhor the Edomite; for he is
thy brother: thou shalt not abhor an Egyptian; because thou wast a stranger in
his land. Dt.23:7
Faith
Building Practice and Review
1. Why
did God hate Esau?
2. What
in Esau’s character do you see as deserving of God’s hatred?
3. Why
are Ishmael and Esau types of unbelievers? Explain.
4. Why
do you suppose God did not intervene when Jacob tricked his brother out of the
birthright?
5. What
eventually happened to the Edomites?
Read Genesis 37:1-36
We
now begin a new story of great value and importance; that of Joseph and his
subsequent betrayal by his blood brothers; his imprisonment in Egypt; and his
ultimate rise to deliver the very ones who sold him out in the first place.
A few things stand out about Joseph:
·
He was a tattletale; he told his father,
Israel, about the evil his brothers were doing vs.2 [though the passage does
not identify the evil].
·
He was Israel’s favorite son vs.3 [thus
marking him as a prime target for his brothers]. His father made him a coat of
many colors showing his bias toward him.
It seems that favorites usually become the objects of scorn by their
siblings.
·
He was a dreamer: [God spoke to him in
dreams] vs.5
·
He had a big mouth and told it to his
brothers and father vs.6-11, which infuriated his brothers all the more; so
much so that they plotted a scheme to rid themselves of him.
·
His second dream earned a rebuke from his
father, Israel vs.10
·
His brothers were jealous of him vs11
·
Jacob, though perhaps somewhat skeptical,
nonetheless took heed to Joseph’s dream and pondered it in his heart
The dreams were prophetic in nature depicting Joseph as
rising above his brothers, father, and mother causing them to bow down before
him.
·
Sheaves represented his brothers bowing
before him
·
The sun and moon and eleven stars
[interesting that of all the heavenly host only eleven stars are mentioned as
bowing to him] but we know them to represent his eleven brothers and not actual
stars. At any rate his brothers got the unmistakable message. Likewise did his
parents get the message; though neither his brothers nor parents were made
privy to its subsequent realization.
·
Fast forwarding the story we discover the
dreams depicted his rise to leadership in Egypt wherein he was sold and held
captive in slavery and the ultimate deliverance of not only his immediate
family but also the small nation of Israel.
The question comes as to whether or not Joseph did the
right thing in telling of his dreams. Some dreams and prophecies are to be kept
confidential while others serve their purpose in broadcasting. In Joseph’s case
God used it to further His cause. No matter if a person discloses a supposed
confidential prophecy, the prophecy cannot be thwarted…it is God’s Word.
12-17
Jacob sends Joseph to care for sheep with his brothers in
Shechem. But after discovering they were in Dothan he proceeded to follow after
them.
18-22
Conspiracy hatched
This is no ordinary
conspiracy. It is demonically orchestrated, yet simultaneously under control of
the Creator God. Satan always devises conspiracies to both thwart God’s plan while
attempting to destroy God’s seed. He is forever scheming to destroy God’s
children. For that cause we are to pay the more attention to the things of God
and less and less on the things of the world…it’s called self-discipline or
setting our affection on things above Col.3:1-2.
23-30
Joseph is sold to some Midianite merchants who take
Joseph to Egypt all the while Reuben, the eldest, is trying to keep harm from
coming upon Joseph.
Cover up
31-36
Knowing of their father’s anger and love for their
brother, they conspire to cover up Joseph’s fate by dipping Joseph’s coat in
blood and fabricating a story of a wild beast killing Joseph.
Jacob goes into grave grief for his son and refuses to be
comforted by all who attempt.
Divine protection
It is indeed interesting to behold how God always
protects His seed/children. If ever one desired to know God how better than to
see His loving care for His children
·
When Cain slew his brother Abel, God raised
up Seth as the Godly line through which Messiah would come.
·
Noah was spared from the flood with his
family.
·
Abraham was called out of UR of the Chaldees.
·
Isaac became heir to the promise instead of
Ishmael.
·
Isaac was spared from sacrifice by his
father’s knife and a ram was slain instead.
·
Israel was protected while in bondage in
Egypt and later delivered by the strong hand of God.
·
Jacob, though not the firstborn received the
birthright.
·
Now Joseph is being divinely singled out to
deliver the children of Israel.
·
Later Joseph rises from the ashes of being
sold into slavery by his brothers, and from Potiphar’s prison for being falsely
accused of attempted rape of his wife, to second in command over the house of
Pharaoh’s house including his wife and family, he was second only to Pharaoh
himself.
Faith
Building Practice and Review
1. What
other observations do you see concerning Joseph?
2. Ponder
this: tough times come to all of us, especially to those whom God has ordained
for a special ministry.
3. What
stands out in Joseph’s character in light of his suffering and ultimate
mission?
4. As
Christians we are become children of God. Can you begin to see God from a
fatherly perspective? Explain.
Knowing
God
A brief [not complete, add
to the list] synopsis of the persona and attributes of God:
·
Love
·
Gracious
·
Merciful
·
Righteous
·
Longsuffering
·
Gentle
·
Faithful
·
Compassionate
·
Forgiving
The ultimate goal of Bible study is to
know God. As you study, identify the attributes of God. For instance: make a
note when you read of God extending His forgiveness or compassion, and remember
how He has done the same for you.
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