Gen 27:34 When Esau heard his father’s words, he burst out with a loud and bitter cry and said to his father, “Bless me—me too, my father!
Genesis 36 is another genealogy chapter, this time full of Esau’s descendants. Going back to Genesis 27, commentary posits that one of the reasons Esau was so angry Jacob cheated him out of his birthright was because he wanted the material wealth that came with it. Genesis 36 shows that he definitely achieved the goal of material wealth and numerous descendants.
Gen 27:36 …Then he asked, “Haven’t you reserved any blessing for me?”
But what is missing in chapter 36 is any mention of God, of spiritual or eternal things, of things beyond earthly value. Jacob may have been struggling to claim God as his own, but he often referred to Him as the God of his father and of Abraham. God was a presence in his life, even if he struggled to listen and obey. The glaring absence of God’s presence in Esau’s story makes me very sad for him.
Gen 27:38 Esau said to his father, “Do you have only one blessing, my father? Bless me too, my father!” Then Esau wept aloud.
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for the knowledge that spiritual blessings from You are much more important and lasting than any material gain this world has to offer. Help us, always, to seek Your will, Your presence, Your love, grace, and mercy in every aspect of our lives. Draw us closer to You. Amen.
Gen 36:43 …This is the family line of Esau, the father of the Edomites.
Have a blessed day.
My faith, my life, my teaching–it's all a work in progress.