The Benefits of the Promise
“These are the generations of Esau (that is, Edom).” (Genesis 36:1)
Many reading this chapter may be quick to skip over it. The names are long, the characters seemingly unimportant. However, what we find is the love of God going forth to those outside of the promise. You may remember that Isaac pronounced what little crumbs of a blessing he had left on Esau, and God was determined to bring those blessings to pass. Thus, we shouldn’t be shocked to find that Esau had a large family and a larger flock. This raises for us a greater question – are the blessings of God reserved only for those belonging to the Seed of the Woman, or do those outside the promise receive any benefit from God?
First, we may say that those outside the promise receive benefits from the promise, but they do not enjoy the promise itself. Not only can we see this Esau’s fruitfulness, but we see this in our normal lives. How many of us have been kept from presumptuous sins by the general Christian culture of the South? If you travel to the land of the Dutch in Michigan, you will find a strong Christian work ethic even among those who are not Christian. If you think this is a coincidence, travel to parts of the country where the Bible has no home, and you will see a stark difference. Though their lack of faith may keep them from eternal life, the overflow of gospel blessings makes everyone’s life much easier.
Second, what of the frequent overtures of the gospel? What of all the times the gospel is offered? Is this not the greatest benefit? Read the Gospel of John, and you will find our dear Savior making frequent overtures to sinners through they despise the goodness, mercy, and lovingkindness of our Savior. As He says in Romans 10:21 - “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.” To this day, He commands us to proclaim the gospel over and over, even to those who reject it. As John Murray puts it: “The doctrines of particular election, differentiating love, limited atonement do not erect any fence around the offer in the gospel.” He will not let His love go unnoticed. To reject such a tender love, this will only make the punishment in hell all the worse.
What we find in Esau’s genealogy is a God who practices what He preaches. As He commanded us to “love our enemies,” so He does that very thing. He sends rain for our provision, wine and harvest for our enjoyment, and frequent offers of the gospel to the elect and the non-elect, to those of the promise and to those who reject the promise. The focus turns upon us as God’s children. Do we resemble our heavenly Father with a love as broad and persistent as the waves upon the seashore?
