Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
Genesis Ch.36 / 50 Ch.s
GE:36
* Esau and his descendants.
- The registers in this chapter show the faithfulness of God to
his promise to Abraham. Esau is here called Edom, that name
which kept up the remembrance of his selling his birth-right for
a mess of pottage. Esau continued the same profane despiser of
heavenly things. In outward prosperity and honour, the children
of the covenant are often behind, and those that are out of the
covenant get the start. We may suppose it a trial to the faith
of God's Israel, to hear of the pomp and power of the kings of
Edom, while they were bond-slaves in Egypt; but those that look
for great things from God, must be content to wait for them;
God's time is the best time. Mount Seir is called the land of
their possession. Canaan was at this time only the land of
promise. Seir was in the possession of the Edomites. The
children of this world have their all in hand, and nothing in
hope, #Lu 16:25|; while the children of God have their all in
hope, and next to nothing in hand. But, all things considered,
it is beyond compare better to have Canaan in promise, than
mount Seir in possession.