Genesis
36:6-7 Then Esau took his wives, his sons, his daughters, and all the
members of his household, his livestock, all his beasts, and all his property
that he had acquired in the land of Canaan. He went into a land away from his
brother Jacob. (7) For their possessions were too great for them to
dwell together. The land of their sojournings could not support them because of
their livestock.
When it comes to passages of
Scripture like the last half of Genesis 35 through to the end
of Genesis 36, we tend to skip over them, as they appear to be nothing
more than a long list of names. What is the point of attempting to read names
that we cannot pronounce and seem to hold little or no significance? The truth
is that these lists and what they record hold great significance. If we cast
our minds back to Genesis 12, when God first made His promise to Abraham, we
will see just how significant this list is. From one couple, Abraham and Sarah,
a multitude of people has come, a multitude that is ever growing and
increasing. It is significant to see how God blesses, prospers the descendants
of Abraham, for his two grandsons, Jacob and Esau are so prosperous that they
cannot live near to one another, the land simply cannot support them both. All
this is a sign, a confirmation that God is true to His promises and works in
ways and means we cannot know, or even understand to accomplish His purposes.
Jacob could not have known that one day his family would found a nation of millions
and from that nation would come a Saviour, Jesus Christ, through whom the whole
world would be blessed. This is God’s great plan and work, as we make our way
through the Old Testament we have the joy of witnessing this plan and purpose
unfold. These long lists all serve to remind us of these truths, God is
working out His sovereign purpose, for His glory and for our eternal good.
Whilst this point has been made on a
number of occasions, it comes to the fore again in this passage, God is
faithful. Abraham received a promised that sounded impossible, and yet God did
the impossible; God did the impossible time and time again, with Abraham and
Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob, Leah and Rachel. When we think of
these three men, we remember how they all faced difficult, dark and trying times;
times when it was hard to see the goodness and faithfulness of God, and
therefore times when it was hard to see the truth of God’s promises and God’s
good hand at work in their lives. This then is the encouragement and blessing
of Scripture. For we can look back through their lives and see how God was at
work even when all seemed lost. Think of Jacob, when he fled from Esau, he had
nothing but what he could carry; fast forward some 20 years and we see that he
has an absolute abundance. We can rejoice and take comfort and encouragement
from this truth, God is faithful, God is at work all the time bringing His good
purposes to pass. He is at work for our good even when that good and His work
is hidden from our sight by the darkness of trials or distress. We can
therefore place an even greater trust, hope, faith and confidence in our God.
Heavenly
Father, words fail to express the gratitude that we have today as we
contemplate Your sovereignty, goodness, power, faithfulness, purposes, plans and
unfailing love. You truly are the God of the impossible who never forsakes His
promises or His people. We thank You, that You are still at work in Your
sovereign goodness even when we cannot see it, when it is hidden from us. We
look forward to the day when we will see You face to face and then understand
many of Your ways, purposes and plans. Until that time, we ask that You would
strengthen and enable us to continue to follow You faithfully, especially in
the times when we don’t understand, or cannot see Your good hand at work. Amen.
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