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Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Wednesday, 11 December 2024:
Genesis 36:1-2 — These are the generations of Esau (that is, Edom). Esau took his wives from the Canaanites….
Esau, took wives from the Canaanites (ungodly people), against his parent’s direction and to their great sorrow (Genesis 24:37; Genesis 26:34-35). From these unholy unions came the Edomites, who will play a significant role throughout the remainder of the Bible and a primary rival to Israel. Unfortunately, sibling rivalry and sinful compromise grew into national conflict for centuries. In fact, the Book of Obadiah is all about God’s judgment against Edom for its maltreatment of Israel — “Thus says the Lord God concerning Edom: …. Behold, I will make you small among the nations; you shall be utterly despised.” (Obadiah 1:1-2; see also Jeremiah 49:17-18 and Ezekiel 25:12-14).
Little decisions can have huge consequences, the magnitude of which are impossible to imagine. Likewise, obedience to God in the little things can change the world. We must not take any sin lightly or the demand for, and power of, total obedience – “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. (Joshua 1:8) “[Teach] them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)
Additionally, the story between Joshua and Esau warns against the incredible destructiveness which can come from an unsettled disagreement, dispute, or rivalry; it can grow into division and destructiveness which can impact generations, even across the globe. Certainly, you have seen families and churches permanently divided over what was originally a small thing; the consequences are never a fulfillment of the Great Commandment or Great Commission, on the contrary; this divisiveness is not aligned with Christ but rather “anti-Christ.” In Christ, we are called to unity in Him with others, and Jesus has given us the message and ministry of reconciliation, first with Him and then with others – this is now our life mission which should be your top priority (John 17:21-22; 2 Corinthians 5:18-19).
– Proverbs 17:14 — The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out.
– Ephesians 4:26-27 — Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.
– Matthew 5:23-26 — So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.
– Romans 16:17 — I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.
– Titus 3:10 — As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him,
– 1 Corinthians 1:10 — I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.
– Jude 1:19 — It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.
Genesis 36:7-8 — For their possessions were too great for them to dwell together. The land of their sojournings could not support them because of their livestock. So Esau settled in the hill country of Seir. (Esau is Edom.)
Esau lived for pleasure and possessions rather than living for God. He had sold his birthright for a bowl of stew and then only lamented the anticipated loss of possessions which he imagined would come from it. However, God gave Esau what he wanted, women and wealth, but also didn’t give Esau what he didn’t want, a growing relationship with Him. The wealthier Esau got, the further away he drew from God and his family. What do you want?
– Jeremiah 29:13 — You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.
– Acts 17:27 — That they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us,
– Proverbs 8:17 — I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.
– Deuteronomy 4:29 — But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.
– Matthew 7:8 — For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.
– Matthew 7:7 — “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”
– Jeremiah 33:3 — Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.
“Several things are notable about this chapter. First, the names of Esau’s Canaanite wives in 36:1–3 do not match the names of his wives given in 26:34–35 and 28:9. It is possible that some of Esau’s wives changed their names after they married him, thereby accounting for these differences. However, the more likely explanation is that Esau married many more wives after fraternizing with the Hittites (26:34–35) and the Ishmaelites (28:9). This squares well with the description of Esau’s sexual immorality in Hebrews 12:15–17. If Isaac’s oldest son lived for the moment, forfeiting his spiritual blessing to satiate his physical hunger (Gen. 25:29–34), surely he would be capable of giving into his momentary lusts by taking as many wives as his heart desired.
Also, Genesis 36 stresses the physical blessings that came to Esau despite his sin. His sons founded the great nation of Edom (v. 8). Since they were born in Canaan, the land God gave to Abraham and his progeny (v. 5b), it is clear the blessings on faithless Esau were tied to his residence in the realm where the Lord’s work was seen most visibly. Likewise, many temporal (but not eternal) benefits come to those who profess faith and join a church, where God now shows Himself most visibly, even if they do not trust Christ.
Edom’s existence brings to pass the Almighty’s prediction that Esau will father a great nation (Gen. 25:23). And if God kept His promise for this faithless son of Isaac, we can be sure he will keep all the promises He has given His people (Matt. 6:25–34).
Paul admonishes us to examine ourselves to see whether we have true faith (2 Cor. 13:5). The blessings we see in our lives are by themselves not sufficient proof that we belong to God. After all, Esau was blessed and was yet shown to lack faith. True devotion to Christ is shown in our repentance from sin, the fruit we have in our life, and our faithfulness in the task the Lord has given us. That is, we must seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matt. 6:33).” (Ligonier Ministries)
What is the true measure of God’s favor? It is the fruit of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:22-23), Christlike character within us, and unshakable contentment and soul rest in through all situations. It is an abiding in Him which requires nothing else for complete fulfillment. God’s favor is not measured in the physical but rather the spiritual.
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 11 December 2024: Today, examine yourself, not from the perspective of the blessings you have received but rather from your faithfulness to the Lord.
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 