Genesis 36:1

The section called "The generations of Esau" runs from the first verse of Genesis 36 to the first verse of Genesis 37. As with Ishmael and Isaac, Scripture puts the rejected line first, but only briefly, and does not follow its dates. The chosen line comes second, and then enough dates are given for us to follow the passing of the years. In this way we get a picture of the principle stated so clearly about God's ways: "He does away with the first in order to establish the second" (Hebrews 10:9).

The name given to Esau because he craved the red pottage of Jacob; Edom means red (Genesis 25:30; 36:1, 8, 19). But the name is more usually given to his tribe and to the territory they held. It stretched from the land of Moab south to the Gulf of Akaba, about a hundred miles long. It had been called Mount Seir.

His second name, Edom, earned by his actions, is almost identical with Adam. Esau was the "profane person" who sold his birthright for a single meal. He was rejected when he wanted to inherit the blessing. In this way he stands as a representative of the "old man."

The chapter also shows quite clearly that Esau, Edom and Mount Seir are the same, so we can recognise these names when we meet them in later Scripture.

Esau (Edom) prospers and grows rich. His sons become "dukes" (vv. 15-43) before Jacob's family reach such honour, apart from Joseph in Egypt. Remember that Joseph did not exalt himself: Pharaoh exalted him. Esau's family shows the usual history of the flesh, which always exalts itself. So the long list of names is meant to impress one thing on us. God has taken full account of the flesh and all its activities, and finds it only vanity.

The Edomite interrupts the course of God's dealings. We see at once what remarkable maturity there was here. It is always so — first what is natural, afterwards what is spiritual. Even then we find power developing rapidly in the family of Esau. They were all great people, to be sure — duke this and duke that, to the end of the chapter. Even kings, we are told, reigned before there were any in Israel. I have no doubt this is given to us as an important mark of how rapidly what is not of God shoots up. Growth according to God is slower, but it is more lasting.

We are told again that Esau is Edom, that he is the father of the Edomites. His sons are chiefs, and before Israel had a king they had kings. The pride and pomp of chiefs and kings passes in review, along with the alliances with God's enemies. The whole record shows no feature of God at all. We cannot help recognising the line of the flesh, and seeing a picture of the headship of Adam. It is good to look this picture full in the face, for we never make a true start until we have. Good self is what tests us, not bad self.

There is no doubt that Edom is the special object of judgment in the last days. But the passages you quote speak of a later time, when Israel will be in their land and the Lord has come down to judgment… Genesis 36 is simply the original historical condition of Esau.