Genesis 36:15-19: a reflection

15These are the chiefs of the sons of Esau: the sons of Eliphaz the firstborn of Esau: chief Teman, chief Omar, chief Zepho, chief Kenaz, 16chief Korah, chief Gatam, chief Amalek. These are the chiefs who came of Eliphaz in the land of Edom. These are the sons of Adah. 17These are the sons of Reuel, Esau’s son: chief Nahath, chief Zerah, chief Shammah, chief Mizzah. These are the chiefs who came of Reuel in the land of Edom. These are the sons of Basemath, Esau’s wife. 18These are the sons of Oholibamah, Esau’s wife: chief Jeush, chief Jalam, chief Korah. These are the chiefs who came of Oholibamah the daughter of Anah, Esau’s wife. 19These are the sons of Esau (that is, Edom), and these are their chiefs.

This passage lists the chiefs of Esau, the clans and leaders of Edom, an impressive roll of names, chief Teman, chief Omar, and the rest, established chieftains in a land of their own. Esau's descendants had become organized, prominent, settled into leadership and territory. Meanwhile, the covenant line, through Jacob, was still a small and struggling family, not yet the great nation God had promised. Worldly greatness came first to the line outside the promise.

Notice the contrast the placement invites. Esau's line has chiefs, territory, established standing, while Jacob's line, the line of promise, is still small and unformed. By the world's measure, Esau's descendants were ahead, more prominent, more settled, more obviously successful. God's chosen line looked, for a long time, less impressive than the line he had passed over. Worldly success came sooner to Edom than to Israel.

That is a pattern worth noticing. God's purposes often run not through the line that prospers first or looks most impressive, but through the humbler, slower, less obviously successful one. Esau's chiefs were established while Jacob's family was still small; yet God's everlasting purposes ran through Jacob, not Esau. Do not measure by who prospers first or looks most impressive. God frequently works through what seems small, slow, and unremarkable, while the more obviously successful pass away. His purposes are not always with those who get there first. Trust the God who works through the humble line, and do not be discouraged if his way for you seems slower and less impressive than others'.

Lord, Esau's line had established chiefs and territory while Jacob's line of promise was still small and struggling, yet your everlasting purposes ran through the humbler line. Keep me from measuring by who prospers first or looks most impressive. Remind me that you often work through what seems small, slow, and unremarkable, while the obviously successful pass away. When your way for me seems slower and less impressive than others', help me trust the God who works through the humble line, and not be discouraged. Your purposes are not always with those who get there first.