Genesis 36:31-43: a reflection

31These are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom, before any king reigned over the children of Israel. 32Bela, the son of Beor, reigned in Edom. The name of his city was Dinhabah. 33Bela died, and Jobab, the son of Zerah of Bozrah, reigned in his place. 34Jobab died, and Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned in his place. 35Husham died, and Hadad, the son of Bedad, who struck Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his place. The name of his city was Avith. 36Hadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his place. 37Samlah died, and Shaul of Rehoboth by the river, reigned in his place. 38Shaul died, and Baal Hanan the son of Achbor reigned in his place. 39Baal Hanan the son of Achbor died, and Hadar reigned in his place. The name of his city was Pau. His wife’s name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab. 40These are the names of the chiefs who came from Esau, according to their families, after their places, and by their names: chief Timna, chief Alvah, chief Jetheth, 41chief Oholibamah, chief Elah, chief Pinon, 42chief Kenaz, chief Teman, chief Mibzar, 43chief Magdiel, and chief Iram. These are the chiefs of Edom, according to their habitations in the land of their possession. This is Esau, the father of the Edomites.

This passage lists the kings who reigned in Edom before any king reigned over Israel, and there is a subtle pattern in it: Bela reigned, and Bela died, and another reigned in his place, and he died, and another, and another. King after king rises and dies, each replaced by the next, a succession of rulers who each hold power for a time and then pass away. Edom had kings, and prominence, long before Israel did, but each of those kings came and went.

Notice the refrain running through the list: he reigned, and he died, and another reigned in his place. However great these kings were in their day, each one's reign ended in death, and another took his throne. Their power was real but temporary; their dynasties were a chain of men who rose, ruled briefly, and died. Nothing they built endured; the kingdom passed from hand to hand, king to king, each swallowed by death in turn.

And all the while, God was quietly preparing something that would not pass. Through the humbler line of Israel, God was building toward a kingdom that would never end, the kingdom of David and, ultimately, of David's greater Son, Christ, whose reign has no end. The kings of Edom rose and died; the King who was coming would reign forever. Do not be impressed by the passing powers and dynasties of this world, each of which rises and dies in turn. Set your hope on the kingdom that does not pass, and on the King who never dies. The transient thrones give way; his endures forever.

Lord, the kings of Edom rose and reigned and died, each replaced by the next, a chain of passing powers, while you were quietly preparing a kingdom that would never end, fulfilled in Christ, whose reign has no end. Keep me from being impressed by the passing powers and dynasties of this world, each of which rises and dies in turn. Set my hope on the kingdom that does not pass, and on the King who never dies. The transient thrones give way; help me trust the King whose kingdom endures forever.