Connecting Scriptures:  Exodus 17:8-16, 1 Samuel 15:2-3, Deuteronomy 25:17-19, Psalm 137:7, Ezekiel 35:15, Malachi 1:2-3, Romans 9:13

Todays scripture is really a foretelling of Edom.  A “whose who” of Esau’s lineage.  Most names pass by in succession, a few stand out as enemies of Israel and, in turn, God.  In it all, we see God did just as He said he would.  He made Esau, a branch of Abraham’s tree, a great nation.  In Moab, the Ammorites, the Amalekites, Edom, we can see a tapestry being woven where they are all apart of each other.  Some shelter Israel, most wish it dead.  Moses, inspired by the Holy Spirit, wants to make this point clear for us— all the nations that God’s people encounter down the road were sustained and allowed to flourish for God’s good purpose.  

All the above scriptures noted are Edom’s impacts on Israel as it travels in the wilderness from Exodus to Deuteronomy.  Then, God’s people are still contending with them under the kingship of Saul.  Finally, we see God’s prophecy for them as they are judged and swept away in the invasion of Babylon.  For those of us who wrestle with the “why” of God’s intentions toward the sons of Esau, we must anchor who God is to any feelings of fairness.  God is free to choose whom He blesses, and because God is also good—we can trust that his freedom to move history forward isn’t due to any whims or bitter misgivings.  God chose Jacob, and Esau was outside of that choice.  So, it must have been the best move He could make.  

Skimming over lineages means we don’t get to grow in our faith.  If we aren’t confronted with the “why not’s”, how will we ever see just how wonderful it is that any one of us has been chosen for glory?  God choosing Jacob/Israel was a miracle, just as it was for him to look upon Issac and Abraham and give covenants and promises.  God rejecting Esau was a piece of that woven cloth that is His business to know the end of.  We can trust Him.

Questions for Reflection:

1.  What lessons can be drawn from Esau’s pursuit of worldly success and possessions compared to Jacob’s spiritual inheritance?

2.  What is the significants of Edom having kings ruling them long before there were kings in Israel?   

3.  How is God calling you to a deeper faith as you may be wrestling with hard questions about His goodness and sovereign choice?