“And this is the genealogy of Esau the father of the Edomites in Mount Seir.” (v.9)
The Edomite people descended from Esau, the son of Isaac and the twin brother of Jacob (v.1). Esau dwelt in Mount Seir, the land to the south and east of the Dead Sea, which became known as the land of Edom. Edom and the Edomites are mentioned some 130 times in the Bible and were an important group of neighbors to Israel.
When the Israelites came through the wilderness to the Promised Land in the time of Moses, the Edomites refused them passage through their land (Numbers 20:21). This was a source of great discouragement for the nation (Numbers 21:4). Even so, God commanded special regard for the Edomites among Israel: You shall not abhor an Edomite, for he is your brother (Deuteronomy 23:7).
In the days of Saul, Edom was made subject to Israel (1 Samuel 14:47), and David established garrisons there (2 Samuel 8:14). The Edomites also held the rock city of Petra, or at least its early version. This city could only be reached through a narrow, winding gorge. Petra was so defensible that it was said that a dozen men could protect it against a whole army.
But later, in the days of Joram, the son of Ahab, the Edomites became independent of Israel (2 Kings 8:16-22). Several of the prophets then spoke about and against Edom, including Jeremiah (Jeremiah 49:17-18) and Ezekiel (Ezekiel 25:12-14). Then, from the time that Islam conquered the Middle East, the region has been mostly unoccupied (except for a few Bedouins and military outposts). Now it has been brought to nothing, as Obadiah had prophesied (the entire book of Obadiah records an extended prophecy against Edom).
When we look closely at the sons, chiefs, and kings which came from Esau (vv.10-43), we see more clearly what God meant when He said, Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated (Malachi 1:2-3 and Romans 9:13). Notable among this list is Amalek. From him came the Amalekites, a ruthless enemy of Israel (Exodus 17:8-16; Deuteronomy 25:17-19; 1 Samuel 15:1-8). Yet while Esau was obviously a blessed man, he was hated and rejected in regard to being chosen to inherit the covenant God made to Abraham.
This gives us something to consider, if God blesses so abundantly those who are not chosen, what is the magnitude of His blessings for those who are?
The Truth: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,” (Ephesians 1:3)
