- Scripture: Genesis 35:23–36:43
- The Anchor: “And Isaac breathed his last, and he died and was gathered to his people, old and full of days. And his sons Esau and Jacob buried him. … Then Esau took his wives, his sons, his daughters, and all the members of his household… and he went into a land away from his brother Jacob. For their possessions were too great for them to dwell together.” – Genesis 35:29, 36:6–7 (ESV)
This passage talks about Jacob’s 12 sons and their mothers. Then, it jumps to Isaac dying, and Jacob and Esau burying him. Next, it goes to Esau’s wives and kids. Finally, the passage says that Jacob and Esau could not live near each other.
There’s not really much to this passage, but we see how Jacob and Esau’s relationship is now pretty mended. Before, Jacob fled from Esau, but now, they hand up their pasts and bury their father together. Esau made bad decisions with marriage since Abraham told Isaac to only marry of Israelite descent. Esau decided to marry Canaanite women, which made life bitter for Isaac and Rebekah (Genesis 26:35).
We saw this with Isaac and Ishmael, and we see this again with Jacob and Esau. In both cases, one son was favored over the other to be blessed, but in both cases, God ended up blessing the other sibling as well. Isaac was the child of the covenant, yet God also protected Ishmael wherever he went. In this passage, we see that God provided Esau with many material possessions even though he wasn’t the covenant child. Maybe that’s not a good thing because it’s material wealth… but I would still count that as blessings. This shows us how God blesses even the normal people like us. We don’t have to be special to earn God’s love or blessings. God loved us first, and He blessed us so that we can bless others in the same way.
Reflection
- You observed that even though Esau was not the covenant child, God still provided him with massive material possessions and blessings. When you are tempted to compare your status or achievements to others, does it comfort you to know that God deeply cares for and blesses “normal people” out of pure love?
- Jacob and Esau were able to completely hand up their pasts and stand together to bury their father. As you celebrate big milestones—like doing well on your history final, wrapping up your last math class with the seniors, or driving home with a friend after a water polo game—are you actively seeking to mend relationships and walk in unity?
Prayer
Lord, thank You that I do not have to be special or perfect to earn Your love and blessings. Thank You that You loved me first. Forgive me for the times I fall into comparison or hold onto past drama. Help me to use the daily blessings You pour into my life—in school, sports, and friendships—to turn around and bless the people around me. Amen.