QT 11/27/2025 Gen 36:15-30, Handling scripture correctly

Genesis 36:15–30 (ESV) —

15 These are the chiefs of the sons of Esau. The sons of Eliphaz the firstborn of Esau: the chiefs Teman, Omar, Zepho, Kenaz, 16 Korah, Gatam, and Amalek; these are the chiefs of Eliphaz in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Adah. 17 These are the sons of Reuel, Esau’s son: the chiefs Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah; these are the chiefs of Reuel in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Basemath, Esau’s wife. 18 These are the sons of Oholibamah, Esau’s wife: the chiefs Jeush, Jalam, and Korah; these are the chiefs born of Oholibamah the daughter of Anah, Esau’s wife. 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 of the Horites, the sons of Seir in the land of Edom. 22 The sons of Lotan were Hori and Hemam; and Lotan’s sister was Timna. 23 These are the sons of Shobal: Alvan, Manahath, Ebal, Shepho, and Onam. 24 These are the sons of Zibeon: Aiah and Anah; he is the Anah who found the hot springs in the wilderness, as he pastured the donkeys of Zibeon his father. 25 These are the children of Anah: Dishon and Oholibamah the daughter of Anah. 26 These are the sons of Dishon: Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran, and Cheran. 27 These are the sons of Ezer: Bilhan, Zaavan, and Akan. 28 These are the sons of Dishan: Uz and Aran. 29 These are the chiefs of the Horites: the chiefs Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, 30 Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan; these are the chiefs of the Horites, chief by chief in the land of Seir.

 

NOTE: Esau's family is large. And God includes a partial genealogy of the Horites. Esau's family intermarries with the Horites. Ultimately, Esau's family dispossess the Horites of their lands and their titles, becoming Kings in the land and partially fulfilling God's promises to Isaac and Abraham. Slightly humorous is the mention of Anah, the guy who discovered the hot springs while pasturing his father's donkeys. Even though these events are written down over four hundred years after their fulfillment, the details are important. Israel will spend time traveling in the wilderness, not far from Edom, and will come in contact with many of these tribes. The information is not invaluable in maintaining friendly relationships with the Edomites as the move around south and west of them.

 

It is a lot of information saved for posterity, and shows the bible authenticity. Some names will change at different points in history, but that happens in marriage and for other reasons, further increasing the historical authenticity. The stories are written as history, just as the stories of Adam, Cain, and Noah are written. There are lots of details and never once is there a suggestion of myth. They are written in the common language of the people. We need to be careful to read and learn, and not spiritualize too much. I know I slightly spiritualized the wrestling match between God and Jacob. It was a real physical event, but it also, in retrospect, seemed to symbolize Jacob's life with God so far. I think if we are careful not to change the meaning of events we can see pictures that God wants us to see.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I believe scripture as it is written?
2. Do I try to insert my ideas into historical stories without any evidence of such truth in the whole of scripture? That is another hermeneutical principle, scripture interprets scripture.

 

PRAYER: Father, I pray we would be careful in our handling of the word of God. It is true and historical. It is meant to be read by the common man. I suppose I would have been one of the heretics of Luther's day. Teach me and use me for your good in my world I live in.