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The Kings of Esau (Genesis 36:31-43)

July 20, 2021 | by: Gregg Hunter | 0 comments

Posted in: Genesis 36

Today we will conclude our series on the Life of Jacob and Esau by taking a look at the government, specifically how Israel’s form of government was different from the surrounding nations. As you read today’s passage, ask yourself how the descendants of Esau governed themselves, and how this is different from the way Israel was called to govern herself.

 

Please read Genesis 36:31-43.

According to this passage, there were at least two forms of government happening among the Edomites: Monarchy, and Tribalism.

In verses 31-39, we encounter a list of eight kings “who reigned in the land of Edom, before any king reigned over the Israelites.” Judging by the descriptions of their succession, each king appears to have taken over immediately after their predecessor. Thus, we can safely assume that there would be many more kings to come. Based on their influence, among others, Israel will later cry out for Samuel to “give us a king to lead us,” “such as all the other nations have” (1 Samuel 8:5-6).

But, contrary to expectations, after these verses, we are not given a greater list of more kings. Instead, we are reminded of “the chiefs of Esau, according to their clans and their dwelling places.” The word for “chief” is different from the word for “king” because these are very different roles. Apparently, each clan was loyal to their tribal chief as their ruler, and they remained an independent clan with their own autonomy. But each clan also submitted to the national king as the ruler of all the clans, thus uniting the clans in times of warfare or national crisis. This is similar to our American form of government which has 50 independent states who can each make their own decisions on a myriad of issues, but are united under the federal government, to whom they especially look during times of warfare or national crisis.

Monarchy and Tribalism are two forms of government that were predominant in the Middle East in Ancient times. Edom is a prime example of one of Israel’s neighbors who practiced both. But Israel was called to practice neither. Israel was called to worship God as their king in what we call a Theocracy. God alone was to rule the nation. He was to do so through His priests, ceremonies, customs, sacrifices, and laws. When Israel was disobedient, God sent prophets to remind them of His authority over their lives and their nation. Israel was supposed to be different than all the other nations around them. But Israel wanted a king…

Christians today need to be reminded that we too are called to be different than those around us. Others may organize into political groups; they may define themselves by their political leanings, who they vote for, or their feelings on the issues of the day. But Christians are called to be different. We aren’t called to depend on a political leader or a political solution to solve the problems in our nation. We are called to depend on God.

When all the other nations had kings and tribal leaders, Israel was supposed to just have God. We have difficulty believing how foolish they were in crying out for a king, but we do the same thing today. Christians in the United States are worshipping one political party or another. We are fighting for one political candidate or another. We are fighting with people who disagree with our party or our candidate. We are even breaking off fellowship with people who disagree with us on these issues. And we are dishonoring God with the language, tactics, and hate that we use to defend our “king.” 

Instead, we should be different from the people around us. When they respond with hate, we respond with love. When they attack us, we pray for them. When they say that every true believer must vote a particular way, we say that only the Lord is our God—every true believer must repent of their sin and trust in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, that’s the only thing you must do in order to be saved.

I believe that we are blessed to live in the United States of America. But if this country were to dissolve tomorrow, Christians would still be blessed. Our citizenship is in heaven, and God is our King. Let’s live like it, despite what all the 'nations' around us are doing.

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