Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 36:9-43.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+36&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“These then are the records of the generations of Esau the father of the Edomites in the hill country of Seir.  These are the names of Esau’s sons: Eliphaz the son of Esau’s wife Adah, Reuel the son of Esau’s wife Basemath.  The sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho and Gatam and Kenaz.  Timna was a concubine of Esau’s son Eliphaz and she bore Amalek to Eliphaz.  These are the sons of Esau’s wife Adah.  These are the sons of Reuel:  Nahath and Zerah, Shammah and Mizzah.  These were the sons of Esau’s wife Basemath.  These were the sons of Esau’s wife Oholibamah, the daughter of Anah and the granddaughter of Zibeon:  she bore to Esau, Jeush and Jalam and Korah.”   Genesis 36:9-14.  

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The purpose of today’s devotion is to meditate on why Scripture goes to such length and detail to keep and list the records of the generations of Esau the father of the Edomites.  More generally, we will meditate on one purpose of what consideration of the wicked does for us. 

When we consider how close Jacob was to Esau, they were brothers, and yet God loved Jacob, but God hated Esau, then we appreciate all the more God’s choice a/k/a election of us. When we consider the wicked and their punishment, and how we would share in their misery but for the grace of God, then we appreciate all the more the riches of glory on us, His vessels of mercy. When we consider the darkness out of which we were called, then we appreciate all the more, in sharpest contrast, the marvelous light in which we are.  

First of all, in order to help us understand the following Scripture, we remember the connection between Esau and Edom from the prior verses.  “Now these are the records of the generations of Esau (that is, Edom).”  Genesis 36:1.  “So Esau lived in the hill country of Seir;  Esau is Edom.”  Genesis 36:8.   

Second, we also remember what the LORD said about Amalek, one of Esau’s descendants, whose name is highlighted in today’s Scripture.  “Remember what Amalek did to you along the way when you came out from Egypt, how he met you along the way and attacked among you all the stragglers at your rear when you were faint and weary;  and he did not fear God.  Therefore it shall come about when the LORD your God has given you rest from all your surrounding enemies, in the land which the LORD your God gives you as an inheritance to possess, you shall blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven;  you must not forget.”  Deuteronomy 25:17-19.

Here are the main Scriptures to help us so meditate.

“The oracle of the word of the LORD to Israel through Malachi.

“I have loved you,” says the LORD.  But you say, “How have You loved us?”  “Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the LORD.  “Yet I have loved Jacob;  but I have hated Esau, and I have made his mountains a desolation and appointed his inheritance for the jackals of the wilderness.”  Though Edom says, “We have been beaten down, but we will return and build up the ruins”;  thus says the LORD of hosts, “They may build, but I will tear down;  and men will call them the wicked territory, and the people toward whom the LORD is indignant forever.”  Your eyes will see this and you will say, “The LORD be magnified beyond the border of Israel!”  Malachi 1:1-5.

“for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls, it was said to her, “THE OLDER WILL SERVE THE YOUNGER.”  Just as it is written, “JACOB I LOVED, BUT ESAU I HATED.”

What shall we say then?  There is no injustice with God, is there?  May it never be!  For He says to Moses, “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION.”  So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.  …

…  What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction?  And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory, even us, whom He also called, not from among Jews only, but also from among Gentiles.”  Romans 9:11-16 and 22-24.

“5 How great are Your works, O LORD!
Your thoughts are very deep.
6 A senseless man has no knowledge,
Nor does a stupid man understand this:
7 That when the wicked sprouted up like grass
And all who did iniquity flourished,
It was only that they might be destroyed forevermore.
8 But You, O LORD, are on high forever.
9 For, behold, Your enemies, O LORD,
For, behold, Your enemies will perish;
All who do iniquity will be scattered.” Psalm 92:5-9.

“But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;  for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD;  you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.”  1 Peter 2:9-10.