1. Forgetting God Genesis 36
Generations of Esau Esau and Edom 1

2. Forgetting God Genesis 36
Generations of Esau
A Double “Account”
“This is the account (the generations) of”
Only time used twice of same person
Genesis 36:1 is of Esau’s wives in Canaan.
Differences in the names of the wives in Genesis 26:34; 28:9; and 36:2-3 is cultural.
Genesis 36:9 is of Esau’s offspring in Edom. 2

3. Forgetting God Genesis 36
Generations of Esau
Differences between Esau and Jacob
Esau is producing generations of chieftains and kings while establishing Edom as a kingdom to be reckoned with, especially in commerce and political power.
Jacob finds himself as a servant. He then builds some wealth through hard work while fathering 12 sons. 3

4. Forgetting God Genesis 36
Generations of Esau
Godless Esau
Physically, Esau and his offspring are on the rise, but spiritually, they are in decline.
Esau despised his birthright – which basically says he was not interested in spiritual things – Hebrews 12:16-17. 4

5. Hebrews 12: (NASB)
16  that there be no immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal. 
17  For you know that even afterwards, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears.

6. Forgetting God Genesis 36
Generations of Esau
Godless Esau
Physically, Esau and his offspring are on the rise, but spiritually, they are in decline.
Esau despised his birthright – which basically says he was not interested in spiritual things – Hebrews 12:16-17.
Esau then indulges in his sensual nature.
Esau, being godless himself, failed to pass spiritual things on to his family. 4

7. Forgetting God Genesis 36
Generations of Esau
How do I apply this passage?
It is dangerous to judge the state of one’s soul on outward appearance.
Life is not static! We are either moving forward or backward.
Common grace is a reason for God’s greater judgment if we fail to repent of sin and live by faith in God’s Messiah.
We do not need to help God out by arranging our own lives; He will do that for us! 5

8. Forgetting God Genesis 36
Esau and Edom
History of Edom
Edom is emphasized here. Why?
Importance of Edom is twofold.
Situated along one of the most important trade routes
Natural strength and security against its enemies
Edom comes up in the account of the exodus – Numbers 20:14-21.
David conquers the Edomites in a great battle found in 2 Samuel 8:13-14. 6

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11. Petra, Jordon landscape9

12. Petra, Jordon landscape10

13. Petra, Jordon landscape11

14. Petra, Jordon landscape12

15. Jordon road trip 13

16. Jordon road trip 14

17. Forgetting God Genesis 36
Esau and Edom
The sins of Edom
Obadiah tells us what happens to Edom and about their sins.
Their sin of pride led to boasting before God.
Their sin of unbrotherliness practiced against Israel led to their demise. 15

18. Forgetting God Genesis 36
Esau and Edom
Growth of sin
It started with friction between Jacob and Esau.
It continued in the time of the exodus – Numbers 20:14-21.
We are told of its culmination in Obadiah. 16

19. Forgetting God Genesis 36
Esau and Edom
A downward spiral
Standing aloof when a brother stumbles – Obadiah 11
Looking down on your brother in the day of his misfortune – Obadiah 12-13
Rejoicing over the people of Judah in the day of their destruction – Obadiah 12
Boasting in the day of their trouble – Obadiah 12 17

20. Forgetting God Genesis 36
Esau and Edom
Attitudes that lead to actions
The Edomites marched through the gates of my people in the day of their disaster – Obadiah 13.
The Edomites seized their wealth – Obadiah 13.
The Edomites waited at the crossroads to cut down their fugitives and hand over their survivors in the day of their trouble – Obadiah 14. 18

21. Forgetting God Genesis 36
Application
What is your life’s motto?
What does it profit me? or
What can I do that will be the
greatest benefit to my brethren? 19