This is part of a video series covering the entire Bible in 4 years, one chapter at a time. Start at the beginning with Genesis 1 (Youtube link: https://youtu.be/wC2qD4RGOdo) and work through the playlist. Or go to https://www.peace.org.au/bible.html for more information.
In this video listen to Genesis 36 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.
In Genesis 36 we have the one chapter in the Bible that goes into the family tree of Esau, Jacob’s brother. The land of Edom has a place right through scriptures. There are prophecies in Isaiah and elsewhere about Edom. Also King Herod who ruled Judea much later was an Idumean, that is an Edomite. Also the incredible city of Petra, in modern day Jordan was part of ancient Edom. Because Jacob and Esau were brothers, these two nations of Israel and Edom were considered closer than other nations. However the Lord was displeased when he judged Israel, and Edom gloated over the destruction. The prophecy of Obadiah was the result of that displeasure. Malachi 1:3 also tells us that God loved Jacob but hated Esau. If God hated Esau, why did such a prominent part of Genesis be given entirely to his family tree? God’s hate must be for dramatic purpose only, to indicate he chose Jacob and didn’t choose Esau. Rather when the Israelites, and us, see a passage like this, it should cause us to contemplate that if God is so interested in them to know the details of their history, that we should not hate them, but treat them with dignity.
Feb 6, 2021 | Message by David Alley