Generational Ripples
Today’s Bible Reading: GENESIS 36:1-43, 1 CHRONICLES 1:35-2:2
Gen 36:43
Magdiel, and Iram; these are the chiefs of Edom (that is, Esau, the father of Edom), according to their dwelling places in the land of their possession.
The story of God’s people Israel is one of internal conflict. It is characterized by feuding family members and strife among siblings. It is one of privilege, pride and prominence. Esau was the first born. With it came a specific status, positioning himself over and above his siblings. He found favor with his father. He was set to emerge as the leader of their clan. By brightright, he was scheduled to receive a double portion of the inheritance. This was to enable him to provide for himself, his mother and his unmarried sisters upon his father’s death. He was to follow in his father’s footsteps, worshiping the Lord God and working to provide for the family. Yet, he despised it all. He traded his birthright to his brother for a pot of stew. He shrugged his responsibility. He hoped to recover what he had lost, by receiving the blessing of his father. Yet, that too was stolen away by his brother.
With the loss of both of these, Esau was stripped of his status and left with nothing. All he had hoped for was gone. His life was one of rebellion and discourse. He defied his parents by marrying pagan women from Canaan, causing distress for his mother. He fell out of favor with his family. He abandoned his faith.
His actions lead to his removal as the future leader of the family. This created a huge ripple in the family leading to greater distress. He sought revenge, vowing to kill his brother. He eventually removed himself from his family and his faith, forming his own country, Edom, and his own clan, the Edomites. They were enemies of the Israelites, a constant thorn in their side, antagonizing them for centuries.
The ripples that Esau caused by his rebellion, smashed on the shores of the generations that followed. Thousands of years later, the Edomites became the Idumeans. An Idumean by the name of Herod become a prominent Roman leader in Palestine. He was granted the title of “king of the Jews” by the Roman senate. He reigned during the birth of Jesus. He was responsible for the slaughtering of innocent children in an attempt to kill Jesus. (Matthew 2:16). After his death, his son Herod (Antipas) became a ruler in Galilee. He ordered the beheading of John the Baptist (Matthew 14:10) and was complicit in the death of Jesus (Acts 4:27). Esau chose to abandon the God of Abraham for the gods of Canaan. His choice had generational consequences. Our choices today affect generations tomorrow, so choose well.
Today, consider your choices. Think and pray carefully about your decisions. Know that your choices can have a ripple effect on future generations. We don’t know what the future holds. We can’t predict how our decisions today will affect tomorrow, but we can seek to make wise, biblical and well-informed choices today that could have a lasting impact tomorrow. Choose well.
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