The Other Brother
Genesis 36
Genesis 36:31 These
were the kings who reigned in Edom before any Israelite king reigned:
JACOB’S story takes an interlude for a moment
as verse 1 clearly tells us the purpose of the next narrative is to describe Esau’s
life. We see in verse 7 that he became a very wealthy man. In verse 31 we see a
summary of the kingly line that reigned in Edom.
The
word “Edom” is another name for Esau. Thus, Edom is the nation that was formed from
the descendants of Esau just as Israel would one day be formed from the descendants
of Jacob (Israel). The twin brothers seem to have “twin lives” in which worldly
wealth and many sons formed new nations on earth.
But
we know there is a vital difference in the roles Israel and Edom would play on the
world, and that role is expressed in verse 31. Esau’s family was more warlike. Note,
that they had many kings to lead them before Israel did. Why did Israel not have
kings earlier?
The
answer is: God ruled his people. He used such men as Moses, Joshua, Gideon and Samuel
to lead Israel under his authority. Israel didn’t need an earthly king because their
King reigned over heaven and earth.
But
one day they would say to Samuel, “Give
us a king to lead us,” (1 Samuel 8:6) The Lord’s people would prefer a man to
rule them, so they could be as the other nations such as Edom. That is, of course,
what happened. Israel, led by sinful men, became more as Edom, and God would use
Edom to bring judgment on his people’s disobedience.
Weird,
isn’t it? Their King was the Almighty of Absolute Control. For some reason, they
wanted less.
LIFE Link: What keeps you from pursuing more
of God’s rule in your life?
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