So I Google the image of Esau and this is what comes up: A picture of a hairy NASCAR fan, specifically a fan of the number 3 car -- Dale Earnhardt, the Intimidator. Are hairy backed fans of Earnhardt the modern-day Edomites? I laughed out loud.
So Jacob returns home to Canaan and faces no retaliation from the now powerful brother whose birthright and blessing he took. Jacob must have seemed relieved that he wasn't punished and that revenge didn't come. Esau moves away because there's not enough space for the two great nations that Jacob's sons will give birth to -- Israel and Edomite. Jacob is home and now the threat is gone. Or is it?
Punishment and revenge doesn't come immediately. What Jacob has done may never touch him. But it will his children and children's children. We live not just for the moment. We live for our children's and their children. It is an awesome responsibility but an equally awesome inspiration.
The Bible pauses to record the descendants of Esau. He has not forgotten Esau. They are out there, even as the Bible takes up the story of Israel.
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