What will you do when Church is through? Acts 13:42-52

 

Going to Church is good. Important. A great privilege. Should never be neglected, forsaken, or taken for granted. A command, especially these days; according to Hebrews 10:25.

However, as important as it is to show up and do our part; what the Lord really watches, what makes the most difference, is what we do when the Service is through.

That's where we drop into our True story, in Acts 13:42-52.

Let’s go back about 2,000 years, to AD 48. The apostle Paul just finished his first recorded sermon. Now, the Lord records as an example for us, the response of the people, the Ekklésia, the Church. 

⁴² So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath.

This verse in the original text does not have the word Jews, or synagogue, or Gentiles, or Paul or Barnabas; which is included in many translations.

Evidently the English translators thought it helped paint a fuller picture.

However, the Holy Spirit needs no help speaking.

The original text literally reads more like this:

And they departed invoking them to announce this message for next Sabbath.

Paul's first recorded sermon, which can be read in about 3 minutes, ended with the Words from Habakkuk 1:5 that God will do a work in your day that nobody will believe, even if told you.

Then, just like that they depart, leaving everybody hanging, asking. What works will God do? What won't we believe?

So, they (Paul & Barnabas) invoke them to announce that this message will be continued next Sabbath.

Notice the boldness. The courage. They didn't wait to be invited back, they invited themselves.

That had to irritate the leaders of the synagogue.

Imagine in our Church service we ask a visitor to say a few words, and so they do, and then, they tell everybody, “I'll be back next week for an encore performance.”

Today that’d be unexpected, awkward, out of line, but 2,000 years ago, not so much.

Preaching and teaching protocols were different back then. Folks would gather around the temple, or places where people gather, like the town square, and there, teachers would teach, preachers would preach, in the open air.

Our town has something like that every Sunday night downtown on the circle. Christ Fellowship Church has a Praise Party on the Circle at 6 p.m. The Pastor didn't wait for an opportunity, he took his guitar and made one.

Likewise, Paul and Barney, don't wait for an opportunity, they make one.

They are our example.

Luke 6:45, Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 

You don't have to force opportunity, just be filled with Jesus, and He will do the rest.

2 Timothy 4:2-5. Preach the Word, in season and out... fulfill your ministry. If you are a Christian, you have a ministry. God has a Divine Eternal Purpose customized just for you.

Ephesians 5:16, (Redeem the time) make the most of every opportunity for the days are evil.

Get busy being about Your Father’s business, fulfilling your ministry, there’s no time to waste.   

Recently someone told me they made a friend, at Walmart, of all places.

Did you talk about Jesus? Did you invite them to Church to hear about Jesus?

No, that never came up.  I didn't want to be rude, or pushy, or preachy and scare them away.

It takes wisdom and discernment, and God's Love, but please note that not telling someone about Jesus, might be the meanest, rudest thing you can do.

Meeting them might be a Divine Connection, orchestrated by God, because you're the last person they'll talk to before they drop dead from a heart attack, or pull out of the parking lot and get T-boned by a semi. Or, before, they give up and take their own life. 

Like the man I met back in my insurance adjuster days.

His voice trembled as he touched photos hanging in the hall of his wife and kids.

“Mr. Doug, even after all the repairs to the house are done, I no longer have a home. The stress was too much. My wife took the kids—” his voice broke “and she’s gone. I can’t bear the thought of going through Christmas in this house without them.”

We prayed.

Sometime later I received a call. “Mr. Doug Mr. Doug! Thank you for listening, thank you for talking, thank you for praying! It's going to be a good Christmas after all, my wife and kids are coming home!”  

Don't wait for an invitation, make one, redeem the time, for the days are evil. Open your mouth and let Jesus fall out.

⁴³ Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.

When the service was officially ended, those with ears to hear, both Jew and proselytes (those not of Israel, but believed in the God of Israel), followed Paul and Barnabas, who said to them...

Thou must continue in the Law of Moses, study and memorize the Torah, pray loud and long, and don't miss a single synagogue service...

NO!

They said continue in the liberty, the freedom, the grace, the amazing grace of God.

For whom the Son sets free is free indeed. John 8:36.

For where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty. 2 Corinthians 3:17.

NOTE: When studying Scripture, context is king and the whole counsel of the Word of God must always be considered.

That was what they needed to hear, for they were under a heavy yoke of legalism. 

Today we need to hear the opposite.

For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? 1 Peter 4:17

Today grace has been hyper exaggerated to mean a person can live in unrepentant sin and expect grace to wash away their ongoing, sin-filled lifestyle. 

Perhaps the Holy Spirit (through Paul) was talking more to our generation than theirs by closing the sermon with Habakkuk 1:5 (Acts 13:41):

Marvel and perish!
‘Behold, you despisers,
For I work a work in your days,
A work which you will by no means believe,
Though one were to declare it to you.’ ”

Ten years ago, we would by no means believe, even if someone declared to us the obscene foolishness we see today.

Beware: because we've repeatedly refused to acknowledge God, is America reaping the curse of Deuteronomy 28 and Romans 1:28; a debased, depraved, reprobate, foolish mind?

When Children are allowed to defecate on classroom floors because they identify as a dog, or cat; we've been turned over to a debased mind.

When politicians prosecute people who disturb turtles on the beach but promote and applaud slaughtering babies in the womb; we've been given over to a reprobate mind.

When the person running for vice president thinks boys need tampons in their bathrooms, and if the parents disagree, the government has the right to take that child...

When people who call themselves Christian, defend and vote for, or don't vote at all, against such antichrist, demonicratic, wicked insanity; we've become a nation of debased, depraved, reprobate, stupid fools.

Has the Habakkuk prophecy to Israel, become ours? That a nation more wicked than ourselves will destroy us. Have we opened our doors, our borders, to a flood of corruption that has gone too far to fix, the cancer too deep, that now we're past the point of no return?

One thing is for sure and certain. If we continue the way we're going, our destruction is sealed.

However, God is great, and merciful, and says,  IF...

If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

IF...

God’s people will humble, pray, seek, turn,

THEN... He will hear, forgive, heal. 

Lord have mercy on US all.

⁴⁴ On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God.

Whoa! How’d that happen? Ad campaign? Billboards? Giveaways on TV, radio, social media?

This brings us to our title question:

What will you do when Church is through?

What they did is our example. During the week they didn't turn off their Christianity, they talked often one to another, the Lord hearkened and heard it, was pleased with it and stirred up the hearts of the hearers and they showed up to hear the Word of the Lord.

They were NOT afraid of being rude, or pushy, or preachy.

Oh Lord, help us to Love You so much that we can't help but let Your Love flow through us with intentionality, and purpose, shape us into disciple makers and soul winners, to the building of Your Kingdom. Open our eyes to see the time is short, the days are evil.

⁴⁵ But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul.

Once the religious hearts had turned against the apostles, it no longer mattered what the apostles said or did, they were against them.

They could no longer hear Truth. Their hearts were so hard, they couldn't hear the Holy Spirit speaking directly to them.

That is a very dangerous place, too easy to get there. I pray you never go.

It's a slippery slope into the hard-hearted tentacles of a blasphemer; from which it's very difficult to escape.

⁴⁶ Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.

Powerful, and terrifying words: judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life...

When all's said and done, the Truth is unveiled, no ability to hide behind lies, naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account (Heb. 4:13); we'll judge ourselves, worthy or unworthy, of everlasting life. (Even though, without Jesus, all are unworthy of everlasting life).

For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. Matthew 12:37.

Dear American Church, Jesus paid the price to enter Paradise. He's earned the right to set the terms of entry.

He said that anyone who wants to follow Me, must deny themselves, take up their cross and follow Me. Matthew 16:24.

We must follow Him, not the other way around. We don't get to cherry pick and choose the terms of the covenant. He paid it, and wrote it, in His own blood.

Jesus knocks, pleads, come to Me, follow Me. A million times a day, a million little ways, even in the thoughts and intents of our heart. Each one an opportunity to listen, to obey, to follow; to accept Him, or reject Him.  

If you reject everything you disagree with, and only accept what you agree with, then, no matter what you say, no matter how nice you are, no matter how many times you call yourself a Christian, you are not following Christ, you do not have a relationship with Jesus. He is not Lord of your life; you are lord of your life. And that won't work.

Jesus made it clear when He said, I am the Way, the Truth, the Life, no one gets to the Father, but by Me. John 14:6.

If we continue to disobey Him, make up our own rules, do whatever seems right in our own eyes, then, sadly, He will have to say, "Depart from Me, I never knew you."

Lord Jesus, help US find our way back to You.

⁴⁷ For so the Lord has commanded us:

‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles,
That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”

This was not a new thing. Paul quotes Isaiah 42:6; 49:6 written 700 years prior. God’s love has always been for everyone, not just Jews.

Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15,

There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28.

So, perhaps what the Lord wants us to hear is that there is neither Baptist nor Methodist, Lutheran nor Pentecostal, Catholic…

⁴⁸ Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.

Lord, we pray for all those You've given us, all those appointed to eternal life. All those You want to reach through us, that we will be willing and obedient, so You can flow through us, so none are lost; and we’ll all be glad and glorify You. Forever, and ever, amen.

⁴⁹ And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region.

What did the Church do when the service was over?

They spread the word of the Lord over all the region.

Hallelujah.

Lord let that be said and done, here and now in our day, in our region.

⁵⁰ But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region.

All who live Godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution, 2 Tim. 3:12.

⁵¹ But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and came to Iconium.

Lord, we’ve done all we can, now it’s up to You, we wash our hands of it, shake off their dust, we release them to You.

Their response is not your responsibility. You just keep planting Good Seed and leave the results to God.

The place that rejected them, Antioch of Pisidia, was in southern Turkey. It declined in power until forgotten due to a series of events, including earthquakes, epidemics, and invasions. The ruins were never rebuilt. However, a new village in the nearby valley was established and called Yalvaç, meaning, Prophet, perhaps a reference to Paul.

As for Paul and Barney, instead of a revival they got run out of town. They could've been disappointed and thrown in the towel. Instead, they shook it off and headed 95 miles southeast to Iconium.

⁵² And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

No matter what you've been through, no matter how badly they treated you, shake it off, don't quit, the Lord has more in store for you, there's joy ahead.

In this world you will have tribulation but be of Good cheer, I have overcome the world. John 16:33.

For the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.  Romans 14:17

Righteousness, peace and joy, are characteristic of True Christians.

They shook off the dust of the past and walked straight into the joy of the Holy Spirit.

What will you do when Church is through?

They went out and told the whole town, then they went further to the whole region.

They are our example.

Go and do likewise.

Tell everybody about Jesus. You might be their last chance.

One day, maybe today, in the twinkling of an eye the Church will be through, for Good. Then, for many, it'll be too late. Don't let it be because you were afraid of being rude, pushy or preachy.

Let's pray.

Lord Jesus, we pray You shape us into soul winners, disciple makers, discerning the signs of the times, ever ready to give an answer for the Hope that is within us. Filled with Your joy and Holy Spirit.

Thank You Lord.

We love You, forever.

Amen.

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God has fulfilled this, Acts 13:32-31

Let’s go back to around AD 48 and listen to the apostle Paul conclude his first recorded sermon.

His message started with a quick HIStory of Israel, then made a beeline straight to the glad tidings of Jesus.

³² And we declare to you glad tidings—that promise which was made to the fathers.

It's all about Jesus.

Old Testament, New Testament, your testimony, no matter where you're at in HIStory, it all points to Jesus.

Never waste time getting tangled in religious debates, make a beeline to Jesus. He is the Good News. You may not know chapter and verse, but you can say, “There’s a lot I don't know, but One thing I know; once I was blind, but now I see. Once I was lost, but now I'm found. Once I was the wretch the song’s about, but now by His amazing grace, I’m free. Hallelujah!

It’s all about Jesus.

Just point them to Jesus.

And we declare to you glad tidings. The angel said it like this: "I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:10-11.

That promise made to the fathers, was the promise made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, that through their seed, would come the Seed, that would bless all nations of the earth.

³³ God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm:

‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.’

God has fulfilled this for us.

Promises made, promises kept.

God has fulfilled this for us.

The Promised Messiah came, lived spotless, died sinless, rose victorious.

Now, regarding this verse, one day you may get a knock on your door, and a couple nice folks (Jehovah’s Witnesses) will want to talk to you about Jesus. They'll tell you Jesus was awesome, a prophet, a real nice Godly man... but just a created man.

You'll say, "Wait, I thought Jesus was God. Eternal. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1.

They'll point to this verse which is quoted from Psalm 2:7. “Today, I have begotten You.”

However, they are taking the text out of context. It’s talking about Jesus coming from the tomb, not the womb.

The best commentary on the Bible is the Bible and context is king.

Look before and after this verse and see it's talking about the resurrection. Acts 13:30 states, "God raised Him from the dead." And then, just to be perfectly clear our next verse says it again.

³⁴ And that He raised Him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, He has spoken thus:

‘I will give you the sure mercies of David.’

Paul’s quoting Isaiah 55:3. Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you— The sure (holy, righteous) mercies (steadfast blessing) of David.

³⁵ Therefore He also says in another Psalm:

‘You will not allow Your Holy One to see corruption.’

Quoting from Psalm 16:10.

Jesus is the first One raised from the dead incorruptible with a glorified body.

He led the way, He is the Way, for us to follow.

One glorious day, maybe today, we who are Christ’s will have Glorified Bodies.

1 Corinthians 15:20-23, 51-55.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.

³⁶ “For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption;

David died and his body rotted.

David had sinned, thus he was corrupt, so his body saw corruption

However...

³⁷ but He whom God raised up saw no corruption.

Jesus died, but was not corrupt, so he saw no corruption. The wages of sin is death, but He knew no sin, so death could not hold Him and God raised Him up.

Even God abides by His Divine Eternal Justice.

³⁸ Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins;

Through this sinless Jesus, is extended to us the forgiveness of sins.

Because He, willingly, sinlessly, lovingly, paid the penalty for our sins.

³⁹ and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.

So, not only are we forgiven; we are justified, by Him. Not by works, or religion or the law of Moses.

That means we don't have to go to meeting after meeting, saying, "Hi my name's Doug, and I'm a sinner."

In Christ, we are a new creature, old things have passed away, all things become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17.

So now we can say, "Hi my name's Doug, I'm a saint. I'm justified, just-if-I'd never sinned.

In Christ I'm more than a conqueror Romans 8:37

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil. 4:13.

I’m part of a royal priesthood, a holy nation. 1 Peter 2:9.

I walk by faith not by sight. 2 Cor. 5:7.

I'm the head and not the tail, above only and not beneath. Dt. 28:13

I have the joy of the Lord, (John 15:11) peace that passes understanding (Philippians 4:7) and I'm on my way to heaven, and there's nothing any devil, person, or circumstance can do about it. Romans 8:37-39.

You see, faith in Jesus does what the law never could.

The law is like an Xray, it only shows what’s broke but can’t fix anything. Religion fixes nothing.

Now, for those folks back then this was awesome. You mean we don’t have to follow a bunch of ongoing, never ending, sacrificial, Sabbath keeping laws and ridiculously hard to keep rules?

Exactly. Welcome to God's Amazing Grace.

⁴⁰ Beware therefore, lest what has been spoken in the prophets come upon you:

Such Awesomely Great News comes with a warning label.

⁴¹ ‘Behold, you despisers,
Marvel and perish!
For I work a work in your days,
A work which you will by no means believe,
Though one were to declare it to you.’ ”

Paul winds up his sermon with a warning, quoting Habakkuk 1:5, where the Lord warned the Jewish nation of their own destruction, by a nation more wicked than their own; the Chaldeans, (Babylonians).

Would God allow that to happen?

Would He allow ungodly rulers to rise to power over, one nation under God, that’s turned its back on Him?

Yes, He would, He did, with the wicked Babylonians, Assyrians and Romans.

{Would He allow borders to be porous, elections to be stolen, justice to be fallen?}

For I work a work in your days, A work which you will by no means believe,
Though one were to declare it to you.’ ”

Right now, in Israel the secular stations are calling it Biblical times.

A few days ago, (Sept. 27) Benjamin Netanyahu, flew to New York, to address the United Nations. He said he wasn't planning on it, but after hearing the slanderous accusations against Israel, he thought he needed to set the record straight.

Meanwhile in Beirut Lebanon: For over 3 decades, Hassan Nasrallah built Hezbollah into the most powerful terrorist organization in the world. Basically, taking over the nation of Lebanon. He made his antisemitic position clear, “We will murder every Jew.”

Since Oct. 7^th, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel from Gaza in the south, Hezbollah interjected themselves into the fight and fired over 9,000 rockets into Israel from Lebanon, in the north.

Well, we're told that during the speech, Nasrallah entertained multiple guests to watch and see what Bibi would say about him.

However, Bibi didn't say a word about Nasrallah, he did however, tell Iran that if they attacked Israel, they would pay a heavy price.

Folks wondered why he didn't mention Nasrallah.

Bibi didn't need to mention Nasrallah, because during the speech, Israel paid him a visit with a knock on his roof, blowing up the building, killing him and about 20 terrorist friends with him.

Now, it gets Biblical. Same day, same building as Bibi's speech, three of the main players involved in the upcoming Ezekiel 38-39 war, Russia, Iran and Turkey, were having a meeting.

Within a day or so after that meeting, Iran attacked Israel with the largest ballistic missile attack in history, nearly 200 ballistic missiles.

Miraculously no Israelis were injured.

Coming soon, at the start of the Ezekiel 38-39 war, Israel will be at peace and prospering, with unwalled cities, then, Russia and coalition will attack for plunder.

Well, that's not the situation now. However, this may be the catalyst Israel needed to crush the nonstop terrorist attacks. If the terrorist groups are exterminated, and Iran is neutralized, there will be peace in the middle east... for a time.

Then, the stage will be set for the Ezekiel 38-39 hook in the jaw, war.

Currently, Israel plans to lay a gas line across the Mediterranean to help the nations currently buying from Russia. That would gut Russia's economy and make for a sharp hook in the jaw to reel Russia in for the plunder of Israel.

Dear Christian, that event happens very near the great event we're looking for; the rapture of the Church, the day we receive our glorified bodies, and are ever more with the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:17.

The trajectory of the planet is quickly falling in line just as the Bible predicted.

Indeed, we are living in Biblical times.

For I work a work in your days, a work which you will by no means believe, though one were to declare it to you.

Let’s pray.

Lord, we are amazed by You, and how the world is falling into place exactly as You said it would. You have fulfilled this for us, in this day, to see and hear and believe. We pray with our remaining days, You make us soul winners and disciple makers, following hard after You, so of all those You’ve given us, none will be lost.

We love You, forever.

Amen.

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This was feed for you to read. Now it’s Seed for you to sow.

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FB Threats Against Church in the Clubhouse Again

 10/3/24

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The Scroll of Esau, Genesis 36

At first glance this chapter may seem to be about as much fun as reading a phonebook.

However, we'll see, God has good reason for including it.

All Scripture  is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 2 Timothy 3:16

Diligently paying attention to and digesting a chapter like this shows more honor, more respect, toward God, more maturity in Christ, than feasting on a dozen cherry picked, tickle my ears, make me feel good, sermons. 

It's telling God, I love you, and so, no matter what You have to say, I'm listening, I want to hear. Even if it’s hard. I'll pay attention and study to show myself approved.

Why do we call it, The Scroll of Esau?

Originally Genesis wasn’t written with fifty chapters in book format. It was eleven scrolls. Each scroll began with the words, elleh toledoth; meaning, this is the genealogy of...

So, whenever we read, "This is the genealogy of..." (or something like that), then, we know we're entering a new scroll.

This is the tenth of the eleven scrolls that made up the original writings of Genesis.

Notice, it's only a chapter long.

However, check out the scroll for Esau's twin brother, Jacob, starting in Genesis 37:2 and covering 14 chapters, to the end of the book, in Genesis 50:26.

Notice, scrolls 7, 9, and 11 covering Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, are by far the largest of the Genesis scrolls, even dwarfing the creation of the universe.

God's obvious focus and theme throughout Genesis, and the whole Bible is the redemption of mankind through the Promise of His Son. 

The Old Testament points to the New Testament saying, He’s coming!

The New Testament points to the Old Testament saying, "He came! just as it was written; and He’s coming again, just as He said!

GENESIS 36 OUTLINE

1-5: Esau's Wives and Sons

6-8: Esau's Move

9-14: Esau's Grandsons

15-19: Chiefs from Esau's Sons

20-30: Chiefs of Seir

31-43: Kings and Chiefs of Esau

Genesis 36:1

Now this is the genealogy of Esau, who is Edom.

Called, Edom, today we’d call him, “Red.”

Verse 1, 8, 19 we see the phrase, Esau who is Edom. Verses 9, 43 we see the phrase, Esau, the father of the Edomites.

God always fulfills His promises, and He said to Rebekah to nations are in your womb. Gen. 25:23.

Esau is the nation of Edom.

Edom wasn’t a wonderful nickname for Esau, because it triggered the memory of the day, he gave his birthright (inheritance) for a bowl of red stew. 

Actions have consequences and Esau is forever remembered as a godless, profane person who despised his birthright: 

Hebrews 12:16-17; lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold (despised, rejected, counted as nothing) his birthright. ¹⁷ For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.

Esau put satisfying his flesh, first. Thereby, despised, rejected, counted as nothing, the things of God.

Dear Church, dear nation, Jesus is nonstop knocking. Every moment you won’t yield to His prompting, you are despising, rejecting, counting as nothing, Jesus as Lord.  

Beware, one day the knocking will stop.

When it happened to Esau, he was rejected, and found no place of repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears. Hebrews 12:16-17.

² Esau took his wives from the daughters of Canaan: Adah the daughter of Elon the Hittite; Aholibamah the daughter of Anah, the daughter of Zibeon the Hivite;

Speaking of red... there’s some red flags. These wives grieved his parents, Isaac and Rebekah, (Genesis 26:35; 27:46).

Canaanites, Hittites Hivites, will be enemy-ites of the Israelites.

(FYI: Esau also married a woman named Judith (Genesis 26:34) not named in this chapter. Perhaps she died, or maybe she didn't have any children, or perhaps her name didn't sound Biblical enough. 😊.

³ and Basemath, Ishmael’s daughter, sister of Nebajoth.

Ishmael was Grandpa Abraham and Hagar’s son.

Father Isaac’s, half-brother.

So, does that make Ishmael, Esau’s half-uncle, and therefore, Esau married Basemath, his half-cousin?

⁴ Now Adah bore Eliphaz to Esau, and Basemath bore Reuel. ⁵ And Aholibamah bore Jeush, Jaalam, and Korah. These were the sons of Esau who were born to him in the land of Canaan.

Esau's three wives bore him five sons.

In the next verse, we’ll see Esau also had daughters, but they’re not listed.

Genesis 36:6-8 Esau's Move

⁶ Then Esau took his wives, his sons, his daughters, and all the persons of his household, his cattle and all his animals, and all his goods which he had gained in the land of Canaan, and went to a country away from the presence of his brother Jacob.

Apparently, Esau had possessions in Seir, and in Canaan.

Remember, Jacob sent word to Seir, to tell Esau he was coming home, Genesis 32:3.

And then after they met, Esau left Jacob and returned to Seir, Genesis 33:16.

Now that Jacob has returned to the land promised to him by God, Esau willingly yields to the one he once wanted to murder, but now he makes room for his brother.

When a man's ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him, Proverbs 16:7.

Many obstacles and impossibilities lay in the way like snares before the path and plan of God. But, as we patiently, in His timing, obediently walk it out, He works it out.

⁷ For their possessions were too great for them to dwell together, and the land where they were strangers could not support them because of their livestock.

Sound familiar?

Remember, it happened just like that with Abraham and Lot. Genesis 13:5

When material blessings crowd out room for family, we should ask if the blessing has become a curse

It did for Lot. He wound up living in a cave, drunk, and getting his two daughters pregnant.

Esau's descendants were largely enemies of Israel, one of which, Herod the great, tried to kill Jesus by slaughtering all male children two years old and under. (Matthew 2). His son, Herod Antipas, beheaded John the Baptist (Mark 6); and his grandson Herod Agrippa, killed the apostle James, persecuted the early Church, and was struck dead instantly by God and eaten by worms. (Acts 12).

⁸ So Esau dwelt in Mount Seir. Esau is Edom.

Seir is south of the Dead Sea; only about 50-60 miles SE from Hebron, where Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob dwelt, and are buried.

The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof. He can give any land, to anyone. The Promise land was promised to Abraham, through Isaac and Jacob, and thereby, Israel.

However, God reserved Mount Seir for Esau. Many years later when Joshua and crew were conquering the Promise Land, God told them to leave Esau's family, in Seir, alone, for He had given it to them. Deut. 2:5; Josh. 24:4.

Genesis 36:9-14 Esau's Grandsons

⁹ And this is the genealogy of Esau the father of the Edomites in Mount Seir.

Now the Lord lists the names of Esau's sons and grandsons, to the third and fourth generation, but not their history.

The spotlight of the Bible is not on the world, but on the line that leads to the Light of the world.

Esau's abbreviated genealogy is included because of his proximity to that line. He's the grandson of Abraham, son of Isaac, twin brother to Jacob.

His descendants, the Edomites, were neighbors to Jacob. They're mentioned over 100 times, and repeatedly involved in the lives of Jacob's descendants.

Genesis 36:15-19, Chiefs from Esau's Sons

¹⁵ These were the chiefs of the sons of Esau...

Chiefs, dukes, captains, leaders, princes, officers that had soldiers under them for Esau lived by the sword, Genesis 27:40.

Jacob was the one with the God given blessing and promise.

Yet, Esau and sons were the ones with prominence and power. They were moving and shaking and making names for themselves, titles, and positions of authority. They firmly, squarely possessed their land.

Many times, in the world, that's how it goes. The world gives all they’ve got to climb to the top, because this world is all they've got.

However, dear Child of God, through faith and patience we inherit the promise, Hebrews 6:12.

Jacob and crew were simply tending the sheep. Hanging out with family. Simply happy to be called shepherds. Living quiet peaceable lives.

Jacob was probably teaching the boys about his unique sheep breeding program, that produced the esteemed Jacob's Sheep, still around and in high demand to this day. 

The winnings of the wicked may be quick, but they are short lived, soon ripe, and soon rotten; but the products of the promises of God, perhaps slow, are sure and steadfast, enduring forever. 

Genesis 36:20-30, Chiefs of Seir

²⁰ These were the sons of Seir the Horite...

The Edomites unite with the inhabitants of Seir. The pagan, corrupt, accursed, Horites.

Away from God, folks unite with the world, and things of the world, in an effort, to fill that lonely void, only God can fill.

That's why they come together and often echo with one voice, even the most pagan, corrupt, accursed, horrific, ideas.

Genesis 36:31-43, Kings and Chiefs of Esau

³¹ Now these were the kings who reigned in the land of Edom before any king reigned over the children of Israel:

Esau's family possessed their land and rose to royalty and reigned as kings.

While Israel, the people of promise, fled to Egypt in famine, and for a while all was well, but before long they were in bondage, and 400 years later, they were still there.

But God always fulfills His promises. He never forgot Israel. In His time, He delivered them and fulfilled His promises to them.

Israel reigned with kings and priests and delivered to the world, the greatest King ever to walk the face of the earth, the King of kings, and Lord of lords, Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord.

Israel is alive and well to this day. 

Not so with Esau.

Esau was so close to the promise. He was a twin to Jacob, Israel, yet he chose to sell his eternal birthright, for a bowl of temporary stew.

The book of Obadiah deals specifically with Edom’s judgment. The Edomites were proud (Obadiah 1:3), violent (verse 10), and apathetic to the destruction of Israel (verse 11), and God promised a reckoning.

God always fulfills His promises. Esau, and the lineage of Edom, have vanished from the face of the earth.

There is this dwelling place with God, infinitely more valuable than anything this world has to offer.

No matter how hard, no matter the cost, it is worth seeking.

No matter how long, it is worth waiting.

It puts everything in perspective.

The brevity of the sufferings of this life.

The futility of power and riches.

The weakness of worry.

The Power of Prayer.                                                  

The satisfaction of simply walking with Him.

The Peace that comes from casting every care on Him.

The joy of knowing how it all ends.

It's telling God, I love you, and so, no matter what You have to say, I'm listening, I want to hear. Even if it’s hard. I'll pay attention and study to show myself approved.

When all’s said and done, two nations remain. Edom and Israel. Which one are you?

Let’s pray.

Lord Jesus,

You are oh so Holy.

We are oh so not.

 You’ve made a Way, for us to come to You, follow You, be with You, forever. For this we should be filled with eternal joy and gratitude.

Yet, we are oh so not.

We all too often, like Esau, dwell in Edom, seeking first our own kingdom, rather than yours. Please forgive us and help us to get our priorities straight, and seek first Your Kingdom, not our own.

From now on, we choose You. And Edom, oh so not.

Thank You.  

We Love You, forever.

Amen.

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