Success?

Genesis 36 CSB

1 These are the family records of Esau (that is, Edom). 2 Esau took his wives from the Canaanite women: Adah daughter of Elon the Hethite, Oholibamah daughter of Anah and granddaughter of Zibeon the Hivite, 3 and Basemath daughter of Ishmael and sister of Nebaioth. 4 Adah bore Eliphaz to Esau, Basemath bore Reuel, 5 and Oholibamah bore Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. These were Esau’s sons, who were born to him in the land of Canaan. 6 Esau took his wives, sons, daughters, and all the people of his household, as well as his herds, all his livestock, and all the property he had acquired in Canaan; he went to a land away from his brother Jacob. 7 For their possessions were too many for them to live together, and because of their herds, the land where they stayed could not support them. 8 So Esau (that is, Edom) lived in the mountains of Seir. 9 These are the family records of Esau, father of the Edomites in the mountains of Seir. 10 These are the names of Esau’s sons: Eliphaz son of Esau’s wife Adah, and Reuel son of Esau’s wife Basemath. 11 The sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho, Gatam, and Kenaz. 12 Timna, a concubine of Esau’s son Eliphaz, bore Amalek to Eliphaz. These are the sons of Esau’s wife Adah. 13 These are Reuel’s sons: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah. These are the sons of Esau’s wife Basemath. 14 These are the sons of Esau’s wife Oholibamah daughter of Anah and granddaughter of Zibeon: She bore Jeush, Jalam, and Korah to Edom. 15 These are the chiefs among Esau’s sons: the sons of Eliphaz, Esau’s firstborn: chief Teman, chief Omar, chief Zepho, chief Kenaz, 16 chief Korah, chief Gatam, and chief Amalek. These are the chiefs descended from Eliphaz in the land of Edom. These are the sons of Adah. 17 These are the sons of Reuel, Esau’s son: chief Nahath, chief Zerah, chief Shammah, and chief Mizzah. These are the chiefs descended from Reuel in the land of Edom. These are the sons of Esau’s wife Basemath. 18 These are the sons of Esau’s wife Oholibamah: chief Jeush, chief Jalam, and chief Korah. These are the chiefs descended from Esau’s wife Oholibamah daughter of Anah. 19 These are the sons of Esau (that is, Edom), and these are their chiefs. 20 These are the sons of Seir the Horite, the inhabitants of the land: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, 21 Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan. These are the chiefs among the Horites, the sons of Seir, in the land of Edom. 22 The sons of Lotan were Hori and Heman. Timna was Lotan’s sister. 23 These are Shobal’s sons: Alvan, Manahath, Ebal, Shepho, and Onam. 24 These are Zibeon’s sons: Aiah and Anah. This was the Anah who found the hot springs in the wilderness while he was pasturing the donkeys of his father Zibeon. 25 These are the children of Anah: Dishon and Oholibamah daughter of Anah. 26 These are Dishon’s sons: Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran, and Cheran. 27 These are Ezer’s sons: Bilhan, Zaavan, and Akan. 28 These are Dishan’s sons: Uz and Aran. 29 These are the chiefs among the Horites: chief Lotan, chief Shobal, chief Zibeon, chief Anah, 30 chief Dishon, chief Ezer, and chief Dishan. These are the chiefs among the Horites, clan by clan, in the land of Seir. 31 These are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom before any king reigned over the Israelites: 32 Bela son of Beor reigned in Edom; the name of his city was Dinhabah. 33 When Bela died, Jobab son of Zerah from Bozrah reigned in his place. 34 When Jobab died, Husham from the land of the Temanites reigned in his place. 35 When Husham died, Hadad son of Bedad reigned in his place. He defeated Midian in the field of Moab; the name of his city was Avith. 36 When Hadad died, Samlah from Masrekah reigned in his place. 37 When Samlah died, Shaul from Rehoboth on the Euphrates River reigned in his place. 38 When Shaul died, Baal-hanan son of Achbor reigned in his place. 39 When Baal-hanan son of Achbor died, Hadar reigned in his place. His city was Pau, and his wife’s name was Mehetabel daughter of Matred daughter of Me-zahab. 40 These are the names of Esau’s chiefs, according to their families and their localities, by their names: chief Timna, chief Alvah, chief Jetheth, 41 chief Oholibamah, chief Elah, chief Pinon, 42 chief Kenaz, chief Teman, chief Mibzar, 43 chief Magdiel, and chief Iram. These are Edom’s chiefs, according to their settlements in the land they possessed. Esau was father of the Edomites.

So you might be wondering why is this passage of scripture in the Bible?

To show that God keeps his word. God promised that both Esau and Jacob would become two great nations

To show us the difference of success in God’s eyes.

Chasing success

Legacy of Esau: When Worldly Success Falls Short

Bible Passage: Genesis 36

Summary: Genesis 36 details the descendants of Esau, the worldly success he achieved, and the establishment of the Edomite nation. This chapter contrasts material prosperity with a spiritual relationship with God, highlighting that worldly success is often short-lived compared to the eternal significance of a life lived for God's glory.

Application: This sermon can encourage Christians to evaluate what true success means in their lives. In a world that often values wealth, power, and status, believers can find hope and purpose by recognizing that their worth is rooted in their relationship with God rather than their earthly accomplishments.

Teaching: The sermon teaches that while Esau and his descendants experienced significant worldly success, this success ultimately led to a legacy that is less memorable than those who follow God. It emphasizes that true fulfillment comes from a life aligned with God's will rather than one focused solely on personal gain.

How this passage could point to Christ: In the context of the Bible, this theme reminds us that true success is found in Christ, who fulfilled all righteousness and shows us that our worth is not found in earthly achievements, but in our identity as children of God. Jesus invites us into a relationship that transcends worldly standards, providing eternal significance beyond wealth and power.

Big Idea: Worldly success often leads to an empty legacy, but true significance and fulfillment are found in our relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

Recommended Study: As you prepare, consider exploring commentaries on Genesis 36 within Logos that provide insights into the genealogical details and historical context of Esau's descendants. Pay attention to the cultural implications of Edom's rise and fall, and how this contrasts with Israel's journey. Investigating the narrative of Esau in connection to Jacob may also reveal deeper themes of reconciliation and divine purpose that can enrich your sermon.

1. Esau's Earthly Abundance

Genesis 36:1-8

Perhaps you could highlight how Esau was blessed with material wealth and land, demonstrating what many perceive as success. However, this worldly success marked the beginning of a legacy that lacked spiritual depth and eternal significance. You might suggest that while Esau's achievements seem impressive, they fall short of the meaningful legacy that comes from knowing and serving God.

2. Edom's Ephemeral Prosperity

Genesis 36:9-19

You could consider discussing Esau's descendants and the prosperity they experienced. Despite their impressive roles and status, these genealogies highlight a lack of lasting significance in comparison to Jacob's line, which would carry God's promises forward. Reflecting on the nature of spiritual legacy can encourage listeners to prioritize God’s promises over earthly positions.

3. Seir's Short-lived Status

Genesis 36:20-30

Maybe this section about the chiefs of Seir demonstrates a wider influence and recognition for Esau's family. Nevertheless, it subtly portrays how such recognition fades into history without the grounding in a godly purpose. You might suggest that believers focus on their calling in Christ, which offers eternal relevance over transient fame.

4. Edom's Empty Rule

Genesis 36:31-43

This part shows the rise of kings in Edom before any king ruled in Israel, indicating worldly advancement. However, it's an advancement that doesn’t satisfy or sustain. You could conclude that true kingship and significance lie in Christ, the eternal King, encouraging believers to place their hope in His kingdom rather than temporary earthly structures.

to give us a picure of the Gospel.

Ephesians 2:14–16 “14 For he is our peace, who made both groups one and tore down the dividing wall of hostility. In his flesh, 15 he made of no effect the law consisting of commands and expressed in regulations, so that he might create in himself one new man from the two, resulting in peace. 16 He did this so that he might reconcile both to God in one body through the cross by which he put the hostility to death.”

How does the passage illustrate the difference between worldly success and spiritual fulfillment?

What can we learn from the genealogy of Esau's descendants in terms of their legacy?

How does the passage point to the themes of reconciliation and divine purpose in the context of Esau and Jacob?

What does the sermon suggest about our own lives and what we should prioritize?