We are in chapter 36 of Genesis with our word for today which will be two words both are names. עֵשָׂו Esau used 97 times in the Old Testament. And אֱדוֹם Edom is used 100 times in the Old Testament. Esau is Jacob’s brother. What is interesting about his name is that it is very close to the word שֵׂעָ֑ר which means hairy, rough. Genesis 25:24-25, 27 When her days to give birth were completed, behold, there were twins in her womb. The first came out red, all his body like a שֵׂעָ֑ר hairy cloak, so they called his name עֵשָׂו Esau…When the boys grew up, עֵשָׂוEsau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man, dwelling in tents. Isaac loved עֵשָׂו Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob.
In our chapter today we find this connection with Esau and Edom made three times. Genesis 36:8, 19, 43 So Esau settled in the hill country of Seir. (עֵשָׂ֖ו ה֥וּא אֱדֽוֹם Esau is Edom.)…These are the sons of עֵשָׂ֖ו ה֥וּא אֱדֽוֹם Esau (that is, Edom), and these are their chiefs… Magdiel, and Iram; these are the chiefs of אֱדֽוֹם Edom (that is, עֵשָׂ֖ו אֲבִ֥י אֱדֽוֹם Esau, the father of Edom), according to their dwelling places in the land of their possession. The first connection of these two words is found earlier back in Genesis chapter 25.
Genesis 25:29-30 Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished. He said to Jacob, “Quick, let me have some of that הָאָדֹם֙red stew! I’m famished!” (That is why he was also called אֱדֽוֹםEdom.)
It is interesting that Esau the man becomes known by his name Esau which means hairy and Edom because he has red hair. And his descendants become the nation of Edom. The Holy Spirit takes this event of Esau wanting the red stew and uses it as an example of those who lack self-control to patiently trust God. Notice how Esau’s actions in the rest of this story. Genesis 25:31-34 Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright now.” Esau said, “I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?” Jacob said, “Swear to me now.” So he swore to him and sold his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.
Here is how God ties this together using Esau as a warning of a bad example who missed out on God’s blessing. Hebrews 12:14-17 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears, he could not change what he had done. The most important thing in all of life is being in Christ and not to take it for granted as something that can easily be discarded. Let’s not be like Esau but instead be like Christ. Hebrews 12:1-3 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
