Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 36:1-8.

“Now these are the records of the generations of Esau (that is, Edom).

Esau took his wives from the daughters of Canaan:  Adah the daughter of Elon the Hittite, and Oholibamah the daughter of Anah and the granddaughter of Zibeon the Hivite;  also Basemath, Ishmael’s daughter, the sister of Nebaioth.  Adah bore Eliphaz to Esau, and Basemath bore Reuel, and Oholibamah bore Jeush and Jalam and Korah.  These are the sons of Esau who were born to him in the land of Canaan.

Then Esau took his wives and his sons and his daughters and all his household, and his livestock and all his cattle and all his goods which he had acquired in the land of Canaan, and went to another land away from his brother Jacob.  For their property had become too great for them to live together, and the land where they sojourned could not sustain them because of their livestock.  So Esau lived in the hill country of Seir;  Esau is Edom.”  Genesis 36:1-8.

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First, we notice:  “Esau took his wives from the daughters of Canaan”, and we are reminded of the reaction of his father and mother, Isaac and Rebekah.

“When Esau was forty years old he married Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Basemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite;  and they brought grief to Isaac and Rebekah.”  Genesis 26:34-35.

“Rebekah said to Isaac, “I am tired of living because of the daughters of Heth;  if Jacob takes a wife from the daughters of Heth, like these, from the daughters of the land, what good will my life be to me?”  Genesis 27:46.

“So Isaac called Jacob and blessed him and charged him, and said to him, “You shall not take a wife from the daughters of Canaan.”  Genesis 28:1.

Second, we are reminded Esau’s move is a fulfillment of Isaac’s blessing, so to speak, and prophecy to Esau.

39 Then Isaac his father answered and said to him,

“Behold, away from the fertility of the earth shall be your dwelling,
And away from the dew of heaven from above.
40 “By your sword you shall live,
And your brother you shall serve;
But it shall come about when you become restless,
That you will break his yoke from your neck.” Genesis 27:39-40.

Third, we are reminded that Jacob’s ability to stay in the promised land of Canaan, a land flowing with milk and honey, is a fulfillment of Isaac’s blessing to Jacob.

“28 Now may God give you of the dew of heaven,
And of the fatness of the earth,
And an abundance of grain and new wine;
29 May peoples serve you,
And nations bow down to you;
Be master of your brothers,
And may your mother’s sons bow down to you.
Cursed be those who curse you,
And blessed be those who bless you.” Genesis 27:28-29.

“‘Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, that your days may be prolonged and that it may go well with you on the land which the LORD your God gives you.” Deuteronomy 5:16.