Sermon A Bible Study Of Esau

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[2] The title of the sermon: “A BIBLE STUDY OF ESAU.”

Who Is Esau? Esau Is Jacob’s Twin Brother

• Today, we’re going to a detailed Bible study of Esau. Who was Esau?
• Abraham and Sarah has Isaac. Isaac marries Rebekah. Isaac and Rebekah have twins.
• These are their only children. Two boys, twins, named Jacob and Esau.
• Jacob’s father was Isaac. Esau’s father was Isaac.
• Who was their grandfather? ABRAHAM. Their grandmother was Sarah.
• This is very important to understand. Don’t forget that Esau’s grandfather is Abraham.
• Don’t forget that Jacob and Esau were twins from the same father and same mother, Isaac and Rebekah.

With that said, to start this Bible study, we go to the Scriptures and search for all the words related to Esau.

• We look for 5 different words: Esau, Esau’s, Edom, Edomite, and Edomites.
• Why are we searching for Edom, Edomite, and Edomites in addition to Esau and Esau’s?
• Esau is Edom as we’re going to see within some of the Scriptures we read today.
• Before we get to the Scriptures, let’s see some charts about where Esau and Edom is located in the Bible.
• For those 5 words, we see 219 matches in 175 verses within the Bible.

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• We see 88 matches for Esau, 87 for Edom, 24 for Esau’s, 13 for Edomites, and 7 for Edomite.
• Now let’s look at this by Book of the Bible.

[4]

• Where are most of the verses about Esau within the Bible. By far, most are in Genesis with 67 verses.
• We expect to see this because Esau is living within that time frame.
• Notice that there are 172 verses within the Old Testament with Esau or Edom mentioned.
• And there are just 3 verses within the New Testament with Esau or Edom mentioned.

We will definitely be going through those 3 New Testament verses today.

• Obviously, I can’t get through all 175 verses today, but you can know, that I studied all of them.
• And we aren’t skipping over any verses about Esau to form some type of false doctrine.
• The reason I put this chart up is to show you where Esau is showing up in the order of the Bible.
• We’ve been through overviews of the Bible, and I want to mention this here.

Genesis through Esther is in chronological order.

• You can see how Esau and Edom is mentioned through those books.
• Esau’s descendants are the nation of Edom and the Edomites.
• You can see them mentioned through 2 Chronicles with 8 occurrences there.
• Once we reach Job, we go back in time.

When we get to the prophets of Isaiah, we’re starting in chronological order again.

• For example, Isaiah lived in the times of the Kings. Jeremiah comes after Isaiah.
• You see Edom mentioned throughout the prophets. They are prophesying about the Edomites.
• The entire Book of Obadiah is about Edom.
• We see Esau mentioned in the Book of Malachi, which was written long after Esau lived.
• So, Esau is born and an entire nation called Edom or the Edomites comes from Esau.
• Esau represents Edom and the Edomites.

Jacob and Esau Both Represent Two Completely Different Nations

In comparison, Jacob whose named is changed to Israel, represents another nation, Israel and the Israelites.

• As we go through the Scriptures, you’ll constantly see a struggle between these 2 twin brothers.
• Same Dad and same Mom, Isaac and Rebekah.
• And this struggle is not just a physical struggle but a spiritual struggle as well.

Many false preachers don’t want to study Esau because they don’t think he’s important.

• Well, look how many times Esau is mentioned in the Bible. This is a lot of mentions.
• Understanding Esau is so important to developing proper doctrine.
• Esau is an example ignored by false preachers and Scriptures are twisted by Calvinists to support their false doctrine too.
• We’re going to learn the truth about Esau today and develop true doctrine and right doctrine.
• Here’s the last chart before we get started into the Scriptures.

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• Again, notice that we see Genesis with the most at 67. 2 Kings with 10, Jeremiah with 10, Numbers with 9.
• So, let’s start out with the very first Scriptures mentioning Esau in Genesis Chapter 25.

[6] Genesis 25:19-20 And these are the generations of Isaac, Abraham’s son: Abraham begat Isaac: 20 And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padan-aram, the sister to Laban the Syrian.

[7] Genesis 25:21-22 And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived. 22 And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to inquire of the LORD.

• Isaac was 40 years old when he married Rebekah. They weren’t successful in having children for 20 years.
• We’ll see Isaac’s age is 60 years old when they have these children.
• So they couldn’t have children for 20 years. Isaac went to the Lord and God gives them children.

From the time the children were in the womb, they were fighting and struggling against each other.

• Rebekah goes to God and asks, “Why are these 2 children struggling within me?”
• “After 20 years, you’ve given us children Lord but now they are struggling here within me.”
• “Please tell me why, Lord.” So God responds in the very next verse.

[8] Genesis 25:23-24 And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger. 24 And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb.

• God tells Rebekah that they are struggling because they are 2 different manners of people.
• “Two nations are in thy womb.” Jacob is going to represent the nation of Israel.
• Esau is going to represent the nation of Edom. They are going to constantly struggle with each other.
• One people will be stronger than the other people. Who is going to be stronger? Jacob or Esau?
• The Israelites or the Edomites? The Bible tells us the answer in verse 23.
• “And the elder should serve the younger.” So the younger twin is going to be the stronger one.
• Let’s keep reading to see who is born first.

[9] Genesis 25:25 And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau.

• This is the first time the word Esau is mentioned throughout the entire Bible.
• He comes out of the womb all red and very hairy. His name is called Esau.

[10] Genesis 25:26 And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau’s heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac was threescore years old when she bare them.

• You see the continued struggle. Esau comes out first physically. But Jacob grabs his heel.
• You could guess that Esau is physically stronger than Jacob but we’ll see that doesn’t matter much when God is on your side.

[11] Genesis 25:27-28 And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents. 28 And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob.

• Esau was a cunning hunter. Nimrod was a mighty hunter. Ishmael was an archer.
• Jacob was a plain man or one that dwelled in tents. Hunting takes physical strength.
• Quick decisions. Impulse decisions. Fleshly. Jacob wasn’t like that. He was a plain or simple man.
• We see that Isaac loved Esau. Why? It’s so silly.
• He loved Esau because Esau brought him good meat to eat.
• But Rebekah loved Jacob.

[12] Genesis 25:29-30 And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint: 30 And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom.

• Jacob had food cooking. Esau comes in from the field. He is faint or hungry.
• He asks Jacob to feed him that same red pottage. Therefore was his name called Edom.
• Edom is associated with the color red. Esau came out red colored and he loved red food.
• Because of the red pottage, his name was called Edom. ESAU IS EDOM.

[13] Genesis 36:8 Thus dwelt Esau in mount Seir: Esau is Edom.

[14] Genesis 36:1 Now these are the generations of Esau, who is Edom.

[15] Genesis 36:19 These are the sons of Esau, who is Edom, and these are their dukes.

• When you see Edom or Edomites in the Bible, you know they are descendants of Esau.
• ESAU IS EDOM. Let’s continue in Genesis Chapter 25.

[16] Genesis 25:31-33 And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright. 32 And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? 33 And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.

• A birthright wasn’t something small. It was huge to them. The birthright gave them great privileges.
• You’ll see kings in the Bible give the kingdom to their firstborn. GREAT PRIVILEGES and WORTH.
• Jacob was struggling with Esau in the womb. He was holding his heel trying to get out there first.
• Esau didn’t care much about the birthright. He just gives it away for a little bowl of food.
• He sells his birthright to Jacob for just a small meal. You can see the big difference in the two.

Esau acts as if he’s going to die. He’s very dramatic about his problems. “I don’t have any food right now.”

• “Oh, I’m going to die.” He’s a whiner. You’ll see this in some people whenever a problem comes along.
• They are just fleshly problems. “I’m going to starve to death.” Why? Because you missed one meal?
• No, you’ll be okay. You get sick. “I’m going to die.” No, you aren’t. Your tire goes flat.
• “God must hate me.” You have to do something you don’t want to do. “This isn’t fair.”
• That’s called acting like Esau. Esau says, “I’m so faint. I’m going to die.”
• Jacob takes advantage of the situation and purchases Esau’s birthright for a small meal.
• Esau is very fleshly and not spiritual at all. You can easily see this right here.

Esau uses this reasoning: “If I die, the birthright is nothing to me anyway.”

• So, I might as well go ahead and sell it because it won’t do me any good if I’m dead anyway.
• People will attempt to use similar reasoning for bad decisions they make in life.
• “Might as well spend it because I can’t use it when I’m dead anyway.”
• And then they purchase a yacht they can’t afford while their family starves.
• “Might as well spend it.” This is the type of person you see here with Esau.

[17] Genesis 25:34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.

• We see that Esau treated his birthright like it was nothing. He ate, drank, got up, and left.
• He despised his birthright. He didn’t care at all.
• I compare this to parents who care less about their children. They don’t want to be with them.
• They send them off everywhere as they’re growing up. They could care less.
• And they don’t realize what they have right there in front of them. AMAZING BLESSINGS FROM GOD.

Esau Despised His Very Own Birthright And Gave It Away For Some Food

As I was writing this, Emma comes to see me. She says, “Daddy, I took a shower all by myself.”

• She says, “Daddy, I put my clothes on all by myself.” She says, “I love you.”
• I pick her up and told her to stop growing up so fast. I say, “Do you know how much I love you?”
• She stretches out her arms and wide as she can make them.
• If I could stop time at that moment, I would do so because those moments are so great to me.
• I don’t despise my children. I want to be with my children. They are great blessings from God.
• But compare Esau to a parent who despises their children. His birthright was a great blessing from God.
• But he despised it and didn’t care about it at all. He was vile and nasty. He was a wicked person.
• If you despise your children, you should wake up and see what type of person you are.
• You don’t want to be like Esau.

[18] Hebrews 12:15-16 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; 16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.

• For one morsel of meat or food, Esau sells his birthright. He is profane. He just gives it up like it’s nothing.
• This is sort of like a person who decides to kill themselves.
• LIFE IS A GREAT BLESSING FROM GOD. But someone decides to just give that up like it’s nothing to them.
• That’s profane, obscene, and defiling a blessing from God Almighty.
• It’s saying, “God, your blessings mean nothing to me. I don’t want them.” That’s not good.
• It won’t end up good for you. Let’s keep going through Scriptures about Esau and learn more about him.

[19] Genesis 26:34-35 And Esau was forty years old when he took to wife Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Bashemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite: 35 Which were a grief of mind unto Isaac and to Rebekah.

• Esau marries two women here who are Hittites. Do you remember where the Hittites came from?
• We went over that briefly in the Genesis Chapter 10 sermon.
• You had Noah, his youngest son Ham who was evil, his cursed son Canaan.
• And from Canaan came the Hittites. Esau came from Shem’s line and not Ham’s line.
• But, we’re going to see that Esau who is Edom is similar to all those others from Canaan.
• These Hittites were a grief of mind unto Isaac and Rebekah. They had false gods. NOT GOOD.

[20] Genesis 28:1 And Isaac called Jacob, and blessed him, and charged him, and said unto him, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan.

• THOU SHALT NOT TAKE A WIFE OF THE DAUGHTERS OF CANAAN. That’s a command from his father.
• Don’t do what Esau did. Why do you think? They were worshipping false gods.
• One of the most important things you can do in your life is to ensure your spouse is saved and worshipping the right God before you’re married.
• Don’t be like Esau. Don’t do it. God will not be happy. But again, Esau didn’t care.
• He does what he wants and when he wants without regard to anything. He’s profane.

In Genesis Chapter 27, we see Jacob or actually Rebekah appear to steal the blessing from Esau.

• Isaac is very old now and doesn’t know when he’s going to die. So he wants to give out these blessings.
• Rebekah loved Jacob and wanted Jacob to have the blessing. God wanted Jacob to have the blessing.
• But Esau had already sold his birthright to Jacob so this blessing is actually Jacob’s to begin with.
• I won’t read the entire chapter to you here today, but let’s go over some of the chapter.

[21] Genesis 27:6-8 And Rebekah spake unto Jacob her son, saying, Behold, I heard thy father speak unto Esau thy brother, saying, 7 Bring me venison, and make me savoury meat, that I may eat, and bless thee before the LORD before my death. 8 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to that which I command thee.

• Rebekah says, “Son, obey my voice according to that which I command thee.” And Jacob did so.
• And Jacob received the blessing that was not rightfully his as Esau didn’t care about it before.

[22] Genesis 27:27-28 And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which the LORD hath blessed: 28 Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine:

[23] Genesis 27:29 Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother’s sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee.

• We see Jacob get this blessing from Isaac. “Let people serve thee and nations bow down to thee.”
• “You will be Lord over your brethren. Your mother’s sons will bow down to thee.”
• Right after this we see Esau come in from hunting. He figures out that he lost the blessing of his father.

[24] Genesis 27:33-34 And Isaac trembled very exceedingly, and said, Who? where is he that hath taken venison, and brought it me, and I have eaten of all before thou camest, and have blessed him? yea, and he shall be blessed. 34 And when Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with a great and exceeding bitter cry, and said unto his father, Bless me, even me also, O my father.

[25] Genesis 27:35-36 And he said, Thy brother came with subtilty, and hath taken away thy blessing. 36 And he said, Is not he rightly named Jacob? for he hath supplanted me these two times: he took away my birthright; and, behold, now he hath taken away my blessing. And he said, Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me?

• Did Jacob take away Esau’s birthright? No, he didn’t. ESAU gave it away.
• We don’t trust anything Esau says. Here he goes again with his drama. He’s a drama queen.
• “Dad, have you not reserved a blessing for me? Where’s my blessing? It’s not fair.”
• But he never cared before.

[26] Genesis 27:37-38 And Isaac answered and said unto Esau, Behold, I have made him thy lord, and all his brethren have I given to him for servants; and with corn and wine have I sustained him: and what shall I do now unto thee, my son? 38 And Esau said unto his father, Hast thou but one blessing, my father? bless me, even me also, O my father. And Esau lifted up his voice, and wept.

• Now we see Esau crying because he wants a blessing so bad.
• Jacob is now the Lord of Esau. The Israelites will reign over the Edomites. The Israelites will be stronger.
• The Edomites will be weaker.

[27] Genesis 27:39-40 And Isaac his father answered and said unto him, Behold, thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven from above; 40 And by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother; and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck.

• “Thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth and of the dew of heaven from above.”
• Esau does have a very large kingdom with good land. We see that in the Bible.

[28] Joshua 24:4 And I gave unto Isaac Jacob and Esau: and I gave unto Esau mount Seir, to possess it; but Jacob and his children went down into Egypt.

• We see that Esau is given Mount Seir as his kingdom to dwell there and to possess it.
• Jacob goes down into Egypt. But we know that whole story as well.
• “And by the sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother.” That’s not a great blessing for Esau.
• This is a prophesy about Jacob and Esau, the Israelites and the Edomites.
• But you can say that Esau got his blessing from Isaac here, but it was nothing like Jacob’s blessing.

[29] Hebrews 11:20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.

• We know that blessing from Isaac to Jacob and Esau was prophecy for both Jacob and Esau.
• These things would happen in the future to Jacob and Esau, the Israelites and Edomites.
• And as we go through Scripture, you’ll see these things happening.
• Because of these things, Esau hated Jacob and wanted to kill his own brother.
• This might remind you of the wicked Cain who hated Abel because he was righteous or saved by God.
• Same thing with Jacob here. Jacob is a righteous man who is saved by God.
• Keep these things in mind as we continue.

[30] Genesis 28:8-9 And Esau seeing that the daughters of Canaan pleased not Isaac his father; 9 Then went Esau unto Ishmael, and took unto the wives which he had Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael Abraham’s son, the sister of Nebajoth, to be his wife.

• Esau isn’t quite getting this. He thinks he’s going to please Isaac with this.
• He chooses the one cast out of Abraham’s house. Abraham was his grandfather.
• We then see Jacob and Esau meet again in Genesis Chapter 32 and 33.

[31] Genesis 32:3-4 And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother unto the land of Seir, the country of Edom. 4 And he commanded them, saying, Thus shall ye speak unto my lord Esau; Thy servant Jacob saith thus, I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed there until now:

• Some preachers get all of this Scripture confused and act as if Jacob is serving Esau here.
• “Thus shall ye speak unto my lord Esau; thy servant Jacob saith thus.”
• They’ll say, “See, Jacob is serving Esau and calling him lord.” Well, why is this happening?
• God gave the land of Seir to Esau. This is the country of Edom. Jacob is coming into Esau’s land.
• This is his country. He is the king over this land. God gave him that land.
• So Jacob is respecting that. CLEARLY. He is not serving Esau. He’s being respectful of the kingdom.
• He believes Esau may still be angry with him over the birthright and blessing.

[32] Genesis 32:4-5 And he commanded them, saying, Thus shall ye speak unto my lord Esau; Thy servant Jacob saith thus, I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed there until now: 5 And I have oxen, and asses, flocks, and menservants, and womenservants: and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find grace in thy sight.

[33] Genesis 32:6 And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, We came to thy brother Esau, and also he cometh to meet thee, and four hundred men with him.

[34] Genesis 32:7-8 Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed: and he divided the people that was with him, and the flocks, and herds, and the camels, into two bands; 8 And said, If Esau come to the one company, and smite it, then the other company which is left shall escape.

• Was that right for Jacob to get scared? No, it wasn’t. Jacob wasn’t a perfect man either. He was a sinner.
• If he realized God was on his side, he wouldn’t have been fearful at that moment.
• But we all have moments like that. That’s not a moment of faith for Jacob. He’s scared of Esau.
• He didn’t trust the blessing that he received from God through Isaac.
• But we see Jacob go in prayer to God and tell God that he’s scared of Esau.
• We see Jacob wrestle with Jesus Christ in Genesis Chapter 32. He changes his name to Israel.

[35] Genesis 33:1-2 And Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau came, and with him four hundred men. And he divided the children unto Leah, and unto Rachel, and unto the two handmaids. 2 And he put the handmaids and their children foremost, and Leah and her children after, and Rachel and Joseph hindermost.

[36] Genesis 33:3-4 And he passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother. 4 And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept.

• Some preachers will now say that Esau was a saved man because he was nice to his brother.
• But, we’re going to trust what the word of God says and not base doctrine on feelings.
• False preachers will day, “Esau cried for his brother so he must be saved.” WRONG.
• Other false preachers will say, “Esau had good land and cattle so he must have been saved.” WRONG.
• Bill Gates has lots of land and possessions too, but he hates God. Doesn’t mean he’s going to heaven.
• Hitler had a lot of land and possessions. Doesn’t mean he went to heaven.
• Joel Osteen has a lot of land, money, and possessions. Doesn’t mean he’s going to heaven.

Jacob And Esau Didn’t Dwell Together. They Separated From Each Other.

We see that Jacob and Esau don’t stay in the same place. Jacob was passing through. They didn’t dwell together.

• They still struggled against each other. They would never be together. They were against each other.
• They were friendly to each other but this doesn’t mean they were together spiritually.
• And we know that Esau wasn’t serving God Almighty.

[37] Genesis 35:29 And Isaac gave up the ghost, and died, and was gathered unto his people, being old and full of days: and his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.

• We’re moving along in the Book of Genesis. Notice all the verses we see with Esau in them.
• We now see Isaac die. Jacob and Esau come together to bury their father.
• In Genesis Chapter 36, we see the generations of Esau so we go back in time in this chapter.

[38] Genesis 36:6-8 And Esau took his wives, and his sons, and his daughters, and all the persons of his house, and his cattle, and all his beasts, and all his substance, which he had got in the land of Canaan; and went into the country from the face of his brother Jacob. 7 For their riches were more than that they might dwell together; and the land wherein they were strangers could not bear them because of their cattle. 8 Thus dwelt Esau in mount Seir: Esau is Edom.

• He leaves the country. Jacob doesn’t. Jacob and Esau are both very rich. They couldn’t live together.
• Esau leaves. Jacob stays. This doesn’t tell us that Jacob was weak. He appears pretty strong here.
• Then we see the kingdom of Edom increasing and getting larger.
• We see them first have kings before Israel had any kings.
• We don’t hear of Esau or Edom any more after Genesis Chapter 36 until Exodus Chapter 15.
• In Exodus Chapter 15, Moses is singing a song after they came through the Red Sea from Egypt.

[39] Exodus 15:1 Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.

• We see Edom mentioned in verse 15. Skipping down to that point in Exodus Chapter 15.

[40] Exodus 15:13-14 Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation. 14 The people shall hear, and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina.

[41] Exodus 15:15-16 Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away. 16 Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased.

• God has led forth HIS PEOPLE, the Israelites. Esau and Edom are not God’s people.
• They are going to be amazed to hear that God has brought forth HIS PEOPLE. Edom will tremble.
• Fear and dread will fall upon Edom. Then, the next Scripture we see is in Numbers.

[42] Numbers 20:14-16 And Moses sent messengers from Kadesh unto the king of Edom, Thus saith thy brother Israel, Thou knowest all the travail that hath befallen us: 15 How our fathers went down into Egypt, and we have dwelt in Egypt a long time; and the Egyptians vexed us, and our fathers: 16 And when we cried unto the LORD, he heard our voice, and sent an angel, and hath brought us forth out of Egypt: and, behold, we are in Kadesh, a city in the uttermost of thy border:

[43] Numbers 20:17-18 Let us pass, I pray thee, through thy country: we will not pass through the fields, or through the vineyards, neither will we drink of the water of the wells: we will go by the king’s high way, we will not turn to the right hand nor to the left, until we have passed thy borders. 18 And Edom said unto him, Thou shalt not pass by me, lest I come out against thee with the sword.

• So, you see that Esau was nicer to Jacob than this here. But not anymore.
• The people of Esau were also profane people.

[44] Numbers 20:19-20 And the children of Israel said unto him, We will go by the high way: and if I and my cattle drink of thy water, then I will pay for it: I will only, without doing any thing else, go through on my feet. 20 And he said, Thou shalt not go through. And Edom came out against him with much people, and with a strong hand.

[45] Numbers 20:21 Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border: wherefore Israel turned away from him.

• Israel could have destroyed them right there, but God didn’t allow that at this point.

[46] Deuteronomy 2:4-5 And command thou the people, saying, Ye are to pass through the coast of your brethren the children of Esau, which dwell in Seir; and they shall be afraid of you: take ye good heed unto yourselves therefore: 5 Meddle not with them; for I will not give you of their land, no, not so much as a foot breadth; because I have given mount Seir unto Esau for a possession.

• God gave Esau and the Edomites that land and wouldn’t take it from them.
• Why? Most likely it was because of Abraham and Isaac but this was also God’s plan for the Israelites.
• They had to go through the wilderness. They weren’t taking the easy path through Edom.
• They weren’t going to join with Edom. EVER. Same thing with the Moabites.
• God told them to not touch them or take their land. Why?

[47] Deuteronomy 2:9 And the LORD said unto me, Distress not the Moabites, neither contend with them in battle: for I will not give thee of their land for a possession; because I have given Ar unto the children of Lot for a possession.

• They were the children of Lot. Don’t mess with them and don’t take their land.
• This is all God’s plan for the Israelites. He told them what to do.
• As we move along through the Bible, we see more Scripture on Edomites. Keep in mind where we are.

[48] Deuteronomy 23:7-8 Thou shalt not abhor an Edomite; for he is thy brother: thou shalt not abhor an Egyptian; because thou wast a stranger in his land. 8 The children that are begotten of them shall enter into the congregation of the LORD in their third generation.

• Edomites came from Abraham. They weren’t to hate all Edomites just because they were from Edom.
• They weren’t all bad. All the Moabites weren’t bad. Ruth was a Moabite.
• We aren’t to hate all people from a nation just because their nation is overall evil.
• If one is worshipping the Lord, God said they can join the Israelites in their third generation.
• If 3 generations continue to worship the Lord, they could join the Israelites physically.
• They would become a part of that nation. They wouldn’t be Edomites any more. They would be Israelites.
• They would be a part of the congregation of the Lord.

[49] Joshua 15:1 This then was the lot of the tribe of the children of Judah by their families; even to the border of Edom the wilderness of Zin southward was the uttermost part of the south coast.

• In the Book of Joshua, we see the children of Israel taking the promised land.
• They are at war and taking the land that God tells them to take.
• The land of Edom wasn’t a part of the promised land. They weren’t supposed to take this over.
• They were supposed to go to the border of Edom but never take the land in Edom.

[50] Judges 5:3-5 Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes; I, even I, will sing unto the LORD; I will sing praise to the LORD God of Israel. 4 LORD, when thou wentest out of Seir, when thou marchedst out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, and the heavens dropped, the clouds also dropped water. 5 The mountains melted from before the LORD, even that Sinai from before the LORD God of Israel.

• This is the song Deborah and Barak are singing after they destroyed the Canaanites.
• And remember that the Canaanites are descendants of Ham, the brother of Japheth and Shem.
• Out of the Egypt, the land of Edom is right there when the Israelites came out of Egypt.
• They go along the coasts and border of the land of Edom through the wilderness.
• “When thou marchedst out of the field of Edom.” They were coming into the promised land.
• All the people they were coming up against were afraid because they had heard what God had done.
• Remember Rahab the harlot. She had heard of them and was afraid. She feared God.

[51] Judges 11:16-17 But when Israel came up from Egypt, and walked through the wilderness unto the Red sea, and came to Kadesh; 17 Then Israel sent messengers unto the king of Edom, saying, Let me, I pray thee, pass through thy land: but the king of Edom would not hearken thereto. And in like manner they sent unto the king of Moab: but he would not consent: and Israel abode in Kadesh.

[52] Judges 11:18 Then they went along through the wilderness, and compassed the land of Edom, and the land of Moab, and came by the east side of the land of Moab, and pitched on the other side of Arnon, but came not within the border of Moab: for Arnon was the border of Moab.

• The Israelites went the long route. Why? Edom would not allow them to pass through.
• And God told them not to destroy Edom so they went the long way.

Notice The Location Of Edom And How The Israelites Needed Passage

[53]

• I wanted to show this map just to give you an idea of where they were going when they came out of Egypt.
• I’m not sure how accurate this map is by the way, but this gives us an idea.
• You see them coming up from the South. You see Edom there in the South.
• The promised land or the land of Canaan was over in the West, Israel and Judah.
• So, the Israelites come up over on the far East around Edom and around Moab.

Do you remember who they met first and conquered first? The map there gives a clue.

• They met the Amorites, which are in the location of the Ammonites on the map there.
• If we continue in the Book of Judges, very next verse, we see this.

[54] Judges 11:19-20 And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, the king of Heshbon; and Israel said unto him, Let us pass, we pray thee, through thy land into my place. 20 But Sihon trusted not Israel to pass through his coast: but Sihon gathered all his people together, and pitched in Jahaz, and fought against Israel.

[55] Judges 11:21 And the LORD God of Israel delivered Sihon and all his people into the hand of Israel, and they smote them: so Israel possessed all the land of the Amorites, the inhabitants of that country.

• Here’s a better map showing you the Amorites and many of the others.

[56]

• You can see where they traveled and how they came into the promised land.
• I’m going over all of this as you’re beginning to see the bigger picture.
• They didn’t pass through Edom but went around Edom and Moab. They didn’t attack them.
• The Edomites descended from Esau and the Moabites descended from Lot.
• You see the Amorites, Perrizites, Jebusites, Hittites, Girgashites, and so on.
• The Israelites conquered them.

[57]

• You can see that they didn’t conquer the Edomites or the Moabites when they took land.
• But you do see them first taking the land just North of the Moabites.
• Let’s keep going throughout the Bible. After Judges, we see Edom mentioned in 1 Samuel.

[58] 1 Samuel 14:47 So Saul took the kingdom over Israel, and fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, and against the children of Ammon, and against Edom, and against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines: and whithersoever he turned himself, he vexed them.

• King Saul fought against the Edomites here. He had people coming from all sides up against him.
• Do you remember when David fled from Saul? Do you remember who was watching David?

[59] 1 Samuel 21:6-7 So the priest gave him hallowed bread: for there was no bread there but the shewbread, that was taken from before the LORD, to put hot bread in the day when it was taken away. 7 Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the LORD; and his name was Doeg, an Edomite, the chiefest of the herdmen that belonged to Saul.

• Do you remember that Doeg, the Edomite, goes and tells King Saul that he saw David?

[60] 1 Samuel 22:9 Then answered Doeg the Edomite, which was set over the servants of Saul, and said, I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub.

• Let’s see what happens. And remember, we’re going over instances of Edom or Edomites in the Bible.

[61] 1 Samuel 22:12-13 And Saul said, Hear now, thou son of Ahitub. And he answered, Here I am, my lord. 13 And Saul said unto him, Why have ye conspired against me, thou and the son of Jesse, in that thou hast given him bread, and a sword, and hast inquired of God for him, that he should rise against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?

• King Saul commands his footmen to destroy all the priests there.
• But the servants of Saul would not do so. But do you remember who does?

[62] 1 Samuel 22:18 And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod.

• This Edomite slew all 85 priests of the Lord. Not good. This shows you how the Edomites were.
• No fear of God at all. Those were priests of the Lord. The servants of Saul wouldn’t do it.
• But the Edomite does it. Didn’t bother him at all. PROFANE PERSON.

[63] 2 Samuel 8:14 And he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and all they of Edom became David’s servants. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.

• We’re in 2 Samuel now. King David makes all of Edom his servants. Now we see Edom serving Israel.
• We don’t see Esau and the Edomites serving Israel until now. They were separate nations.
• The prophecy of Isaac is true. The Edomites are serving the Israelites.

[64] 1 Kings 9:26 And king Solomon made a navy of ships in Ezion-geber, which is beside Eloth, on the shore of the Red sea, in the land of Edom.

• You can see how the Bible is coming together. I hope this is all making sense to you now.
• When you see Esau, Edom, Edomites in the Bible, you should understand this much better.
• Since David conquered the Edomites, now Solomon has access through there to the Red Sea.
• He makes a navy of ships there. But guess what also happened to Solomon as he passes through Edom?

[65] 1 Kings 11:1-2 But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites; 2 Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love.

• We see that Solomon loved Edomite women. They were strange women. What does that mean?
• They went after false gods. The Edomites worshipped false gods.
• Don’t take women that were worshipping false gods. God still doesn’t want us to do that today.
• You should marry a person who is saved and worshipping the one true God in heaven.
• I want you to see what happened because of Solomon going after these strange women in Edom.

[66] 1 Kings 11:9-10 And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice, 10 And had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the LORD commanded.

[67] 1 Kings 11:11 Wherefore the LORD said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant.

• How does Edom play into all of this? This is very important to see today.
• God kept Edom around to serve a purpose. He uses pagan nations to fulfill a purpose.
• Just as He keeps Satan around to fulfill a purpose. He knows what’s going to happen.

The Edomites Played A Role In God’s Plan So He Allowed Them To Stay Around

[68] 1 Kings 11:14-15 And the LORD stirred up an adversary unto Solomon, Hadad the Edomite: he was of the king’s seed in Edom. 15 For it came to pass, when David was in Edom, and Joab the captain of the host was gone up to bury the slain, after he had smitten every male in Edom;

[69] 1 Kings 11:16-17 (For six months did Joab remain there with all Israel, until he had cut off every male in Edom:) 17 That Hadad fled, he and certain Edomites of his father’s servants with him, to go into Egypt; Hadad being yet a little child.

• This Edomite is stirred up by God and sends him as an adversary to Solomon. Others are stirred up too.
• And who does this? God does. Why? Because Solomon went after false gods.
• What are we doing in this country? We’re going after false gods GREATLY.
• Don’t be surprised to have many adversaries coming against us soon.
• The people in churches today don’t see the examples from the Old Testament.
• They don’t care. They want to ignore God’s words.

[70] 1 Kings 22:47 There was then no king in Edom: a deputy was king.

• Now we see that there is still no king in Edom.

[71] 2 Kings 3:12 And Jehoshaphat said, The word of the LORD is with him. So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.

• Now we see the Israelites have lost Edom. Now we see another king in Edom.
• The kings of Israel, Judah, and Edom are going to war with Moab. They go to see Elisha.

[72] 2 Kings 3:13-14 And Elisha said unto the king of Israel, What have I to do with thee? get thee to the prophets of thy father, and to the prophets of thy mother. And the king of Israel said unto him, Nay: for the LORD hath called these three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab. 14 And Elisha said, As the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, surely, were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look toward thee, nor see thee.

• Elisha tells us what we need to know about the king of Israel and Edom.
• He says, “If it weren’t for Jehoshaphat, I wouldn’t even look your way.” That tells us the king of Edom is profane.

[73] 2 Kings 8:20-22 In his days Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah, and made a king over themselves. 21 So Joram went over to Zair, and all the chariots with him: and he rose by night, and smote the Edomites which compassed him about, and the captains of the chariots: and the people fled into their tents. 22 Yet Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah unto this day. Then Libnah revolted at the same time.

• You can see what’s happening with Edom as we go throughout the Bible. PROFANE PEOPLE.

[74] 2 Kings 14:7 He slew of Edom in the valley of salt ten thousand, and took Selah by war, and called the name of it Joktheel unto this day.

• King Amaziah fought Edom and took over Edom again. Conquered them. What do you see?
• You see continuous fighting and struggle between ISRAEL AND ESAU.
• Just like the actual people of Jacob and Esau in the womb. Two nations struggling against each other.
• If you look through the genealogies of Esau, you’ll see the names.
• And we know the names of cities go along with the names of these people.

[75] 1 Chronicles 18:11-13 Them also king David dedicated unto the LORD, with the silver and the gold that he brought from all these nations; from Edom, and from Moab, and from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines, and from Amalek. 12 Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah slew of the Edomites in the valley of salt eighteen thousand. 13 And he put garrisons in Edom; and all the Edomites became David’s servants. Thus the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.

• The Edomites funded the Israelites. The Israelites took their money.

[76] Psalm 52:1-4 To the chief Musician, Maschil, A Psalm of David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, and said unto him, David is come to the house of Ahimelech. Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually. 2 Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp rasor, working deceitfully. 3 Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah. 4 Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue.

• The psalm is about evil people like the Edomites. This is an example here.
• Thy tongue deviseth mischief working deceitfully. They love evil more than good. Lying rather than truth.

[77] Psalm 60:8-9 Moab is my washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe: Philistia, triumph thou because of me. 9 Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom?

[78] Psalm 83:5-6 For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee: 6 The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes;

• Esau and Edom is not seen as good throughout the Bible. They get worse and worse.

[79] Psalm 137:7 Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.

• Lord, remember how Edom wanted the destruction of Jerusalem.

[80] Jeremiah 49:8 Flee ye, turn back, dwell deep, O inhabitants of Dedan; for I will bring the calamity of Esau upon him, the time that I will visit him.

[81] Jeremiah 49:10 But I have made Esau bare, I have uncovered his secret places, and he shall not be able to hide himself: his seed is spoiled, and his brethren, and his neighbours, and he is not.

• Esau is bare. Esau is finished. Esau is NOT. He’s dead. He’s done for. It’s over for Esau.
• But we see the same thing happening to Israel as we go through the prophets.
• Their destruction is coming the same as it is coming for Esau and Edom. Why?
• They didn’t trust in the Lord and follow Him. They ignored His commandments.
• You’ll see Jeremiah prophesy against Israel and Esau.

[82] Obadiah 18 And the house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau for stubble, and they shall kindle in them, and devour them; and there shall not be any remaining of the house of Esau; for the LORD hath spoken it.

• This is prophecy that happened but will happen again. The spiritual house of Israel will destroy the evil.
• We see this in all the prophecies throughout the Bible. So, let’s head to the end of the Bible study of Esau.
• We’ve been through many Scriptures about Esau, but not all of them.
• So I want to discuss one final topic of Esau the person.

[83] Malachi 1:2-3 I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob’s brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob, 3 And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.

[84] Malachi 1:4 Whereas Edom saith, We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places; thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; and they shall call them, The border of wickedness, and, The people against whom the LORD hath indignation for ever.

• We know that God hated ESAU. We know the Scriptures are talking about the person ESAU.
• We also know the Scriptures are talking about the people of Esau, the Edomites.
• God laid Esau’s heritage to waste. We see that happen within the Bible. Guess what’s in Edom today?
• Not much of anything. It was laid to waste by God Almighty. That happened over time.

Esau Was A Profane Person That God Hated

Esau was a profane person himself. The Bible tells us this. You can see other examples of Edomites.

• They were profane people as a whole. You can see our country turning into profane people.
• This doesn’t mean we’re all profane people. This doesn’t mean some Edomites weren’t saved.
• I guarantee you that some Edomites were saved. There are saved people from all nations.
• When the Bible says God hated Esau, you can know that God hated the person Esau.
• He rejected him. Esau was a reprobate. The people of Esau worshipped false gods.

[85] Hebrews 12:16-17 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. 17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

• He was rejected of the birthright, the blessing, and repentance to salvation.
• When was he rejected and hated by God? After he sold his birthright to Jacob. He didn’t care about it.
• He would have inherited the blessing but he sold his birthright to Jacob.
• That blessing was rightly Jacob’s because Esau sold it for one morsel of meat. God hated Esau.
• God didn’t hate Esau when he was a baby or a young child. This was later in his life.
• God hated Esau after Esau made all of these decisions to reject God. Then God rejected him.

[86] Romans 9:11-13 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) 12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. 13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

• Esau represents the works based salvation just as Cain. NOT OF WORKS but of him that calleth.
• Jacob represents the faith based salvation that calls upon the Lord for help. The Lord is his help.
• God hated Esau because he was not of faith. God loved Jacob because he was of faith.
• God wouldn’t choose Esau to represent people He hated if Esau was saved like some preachers will say.
• God wouldn’t choose Jacob to represent saved people if Jacob was unsaved.
• Esau was a reprobate or reject who hated God. So God hated Him. God gave Esau plenty of chances.

Esau’s decisions led to him being rejected by God at a later time. God didn’t make Esau’s decisions for him.

• He wasn’t rejected as a baby in the womb as Calvinists will teach. False doctrine.
• Esau wasn’t a saved man. False doctrine. God hated Esau the person because the Bible says so.
• The Bible is clearly talking about Esau the person when God says, “I hated him.”
• You don’t want to be hated by God so simply change your mind right now and believe on Jesus Christ.
• Be a child of faith as Jacob was and be loved by God forever.
• I hope this study of Esau throughout the Bible has helped you today.
• I hope you’ve learned something new.

Let’s pray.