Seize the Moment – Day 427
Love Your Neighbor!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Tuesday, May 18.
Do you remember Jacob’s twin brother Esau? He is the son of the patriarch Isaac and his wife Rebekah. He feels like a secondary character in the Bible, though, an “also-ran” after Jacob.
Esau is important; he represents the fulfillment of God’s promise to Rebekah. Listen to God’s promise to her in Genesis 25:23: “Two nations are in your womb; and two peoples will be separated from your body…”
Esau is important to God and Genesis 36:9 captures the purpose of this long chapter: “These then are the records of the generations of Esau the father of the Edomites in the hill country of Seir.”
Yes, you’ve got it, Genesis 36 is 43 glorious verses of genealogy of a people who don’t even feel like the main point of the Bible, but are important to God because God always keeps His promises.
God is investing significant time in the Bible to remind us about one of His beloved children.
Esau’s life is the fulfillment of the Genesis 17:6 prophecy to Abraham: “I have made you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make nations of you, and kings will come forth from you.”
Did you notice the plural—nations and kings?
Esau is the king of the Edomites, where his brother Jacob, whose name was changed, is the father of Israel. Kings have come from the barren womb of Sarah because of God’s miraculous power and covenant faithfulness.
God faithfully loves all of His children. This chapter is not a waste of your time because it practically demonstrates God’s love for all people—even those who feel like “also-rans.”
Seize the moment and love your neighbor as yourself.