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39 - Commentary on The Book of Genesis · Sacred Texts Archive

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Chapter thirty six Genesis, chapter thirty six. In this chapter we have an
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account of the posterity of Esau, who from him were called Edomites. That
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Esau who sold his birthright and lost his blessing, and was not loved of
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God as Jacob was. Here is a brief register kept of his family for
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some generations. Number one because he was the son of Isaac, for whose
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sake this honor is put upon him. Number two because the Edomites were neighbors
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to Israel, and their genealogy would be of use to give light to the
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following stories of what passed between them. Number three. It is to show
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the performance of the promise to Abraham that he should be the father of many
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nations, and of that answer which Rebecca had from the oracle she consulted,
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two nations are in thy womb, and of the blessing of Isaac, thy
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dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth. We have here numeral one,
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Esau's wives verse one through five, numeral two, his removal to Mount Seyer
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verse six through eight, numeral three, the names of his sons Verses nine
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through fourteen, numeral four, the dukes who descended of his sons, Verses
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fifteen through nineteen numeral five, The Dukes of the Writes Verses twenty through thirty
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numeral six, The Kings and Dukes of Eden Verses thirty one through forty three,
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little more as recorded than their names, because the history of those who
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were out of the Church, though perhaps it might have been serviceable in politics,
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would have been of little use in divinity. It is in the Church
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that the memorable instances are found of special grace and special providence, For that
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is the enclosure. The rest is common. This chapter is abridged First Chronicles,
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Chapter one, verse thirty five. The Generations of Esau DC. Seventeen
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eighty verse one. Now, these are the generations of Esau, who is
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Edom verse two. Esau took his wives of the daughters of Canaan Aida the
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daughter of Elon the Hittite, and a hol Obama, the daughter of Anna,
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the daughter of Zibeon the Hiwite verse three, and Bashemath Ishmael's daughter sister
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to Nabajath verse four, and Aida ver to Esau Eli Faz and Bashamath ver
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Rull verse five. And a Holobama bear Jeyush and Jalam and Corah. These
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are the sons of Esau, which were born unto him in the land of
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Canaan verse six. And Esau took his wives and his sons, and his
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daughters, and all the person of his house, and his cattle, and
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all his beasts, and all his substance which he had got in the land
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of Canaan, and went into the country from the face of his brother Jacob
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verse seven. For their riches were more than that they might dwell together,
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and the land wherein they were strangers could not bear them because of their cattle.
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Verse eight. Thus dwelt Esau in Mount Seyer. Esau is Edom.
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Observe here Number one concerning Esa himself verse one, he is called Edom,
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and again verse eight that name by which was perpetuated the remembrance of the foolish
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bargain he made when he sold his birthright for that read that red pottage.
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The very mention of that name is enough to intimate the reason why his family
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is turned off. With such a short account, note, if men do
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a wrong thing, they must thank themselves when it is long afterwards remembered against
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them to their reproach. Number two concerning his wives and the children they bore
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him in the land of Canaan. He had three wives, and by them
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all but five sons. Many a one has more by one wife. God
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in his providence often disappoints those who take indirect courses to build up a family.
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Yet here the promise prevailed, and Esau's family was built up. Number
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three concerning his removal to Mount Seer, which was the country God had given
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him for a possession when he reserved Canaan for the seed of Jacob. God
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owns it. Long afterwards I gave to Esau Mount Seyer Deuteronomy chapter two,
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verse five. Joshua chapter twenty four, verse four, which was the reason
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why the Edomites must not be disturbed in their possession. Those that have not
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a right by promise, such as Jacob had to Canaan, may have a
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very good title by providence to their estates, such as Esau had to Mount
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Seer. Esau had begun to settle among his wives relations in Seer before Jacob
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came from Paduram Chapter thirty two, verse three. Isaac, it is likely,
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had sent him thither, as Abraham in his lifetime had sent the son
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of the Concubines. From Isaac his son into the east country. Chapter twenty
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five, verse six, that Jacob might have the clearer way made for him
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to the possession of the promised land. During the life of Isaac, however,
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Esau had probably still some effects remaining in Canaan. But after his death
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he wholly withdrew to Mount Seyer, took with him what came to his share
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of his father's personal estate, and left Canaan to Jacob, not only because
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he had the promise of it, but because Esau perceived that if they should
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continue to thrive as they had begun, there would not be room for both.
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Thus dwelt Esau in Mount Seyer verse eight. Note whatever opposition may be
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made, God's words will be accomplished. Even those that have opposed it will
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see themselves, some time or other under a necessity of yielding to it and
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acquiescing in it. Esau had struggled for Canaan, but now he tamely retires
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to Mount Seyer. For God's counsel shall certainly stand concerning the times before appointed
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and the bounds of our habitation. The dukes of Eden v. C.
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Seventeen twenty nine, verse nine, and these are the generations of Esau,
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the father of the Edamites in Mount Seyer verse ten. These are the names
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of Esau's sons, Eliphaz, the son of Ada, the wife of Esau,
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Ruel, the son of Bashamath, the wife of Esau, verse eleven.
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And the sons of Eliphaz were Taman, Omar, Zepho, and Gatam
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and Cannas verse twelve. And Timna was concubine to Eliphas, Esau's son,
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and she Baer to Eliphaz Ambulek. These were the sons of Ada, Esau's
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wife, Verse thirteen. And these are the sons of Ruelnahath and Zerhah,
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Syma and Nizah. These were the sons of Bashimath, Esau's wife, verse
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fourteen. And these were the sons of Abelimaba, the daughter of Anna,
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the daughter of Zibeon, Esau's wife, and she Baer to Esau, Yeyush
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and Jalam and Corah verse fifteen. These were the dukes of Esau. The
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sons of Eliphaz, the first son of Esau, Duke Teman, Duke Omar,
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Duke Zepho, Duke Cannaz verse sixteen, Duke Corah, Duke Getam,
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and Duke am Alek. These are the dukes that came of Aliphas in the
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land of Edom. These were the sons of Adah verse seventeen. And these
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are the sons of Ruel Isau's son, Duke Nahoff, Duke Zarah, Duke
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Shamah, Duke Miza. These are the dukes that came of Ruel in the
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land of Edom. These are the sons of Bashimath Isa's wife Verse eighteen.
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And these are the sons of a hol Obama Isa's wife, Duke Yeush,
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Duke Jalam, Duke Korref. These were the dukes that came of a Halabama,
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the daughter of Anna Esau's wife, Verse nineteen. These are the sons
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of Esa, who is Edom, and these are their dukes. Observe here
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number one that only the names of Esau's sons and grandsons are recorded, only
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their names, not their history. For it is the church that Moses preserves
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the records of, not the records of those that are without those the elders
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that lived by faith alone obtained a good report. It is Zion that produces
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the men of renown, not Zayer Psalms, Chapter eighty seven, verse five.
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Nor does the genealogy go any further than the third or fourth generation.
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The very names of all after are buried in Obilivion. It is only the
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pedigree of the Israelites who were to be the heirs of Canaan, and of
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whom were to come the Promised Seed and the Holy Seed, that is drawn
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out to any length as far as there was occasion for it, even of
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all the tribes till Canaan was divided among them, and the royal line till
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Christ came. Number two that these sons and grandsons of Esau were called dukes
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verse fifteen through nineteen. Probably they were military commanders, dukes or captains that
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had soldiers under them. For Esau and his family lived by the sword Chapter
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twenty seven, verse forty. Note titles of honor have been more ancient out
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of the Church than in it. Esau's sons were dukes, when Jacob's sons
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were but plain shepherds Chapter forty seven, verse three. This is not a
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reason why such titles should not be used among Christians, but it is a
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reason why men should not overvalue themselves or others for the sake of them.
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There is an honor that comes from God, and the name in his house
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is infinitely more valuable. Edomites may be dukes with men, but Israelites indeed
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are made to our God, kings and priests. Number three. We may
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suppose those dukes had numerous families of children and servants that were their dukedoms.
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God promised to multi replied Jacob and to enrich him. Yet Esau increases and
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is enriched. First note, it is no new thing for the men of
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this world to be full of children, and to have their bellies too,
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filled with hidden treasures. Psalms, Chapter seventeen, verse fourteen. God's promised
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to Jacob began to work late, but the effect of it remained longer,
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and it had its complete accomplishment. In the spiritual Israel verse twenty these are
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the sons of Seer, the Horite who inhabited the land Loton and Chebol and
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Zibeon and Anah verse twenty one, and Deshon and Azare and Deshon. These
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are the dukes of the Horiites. The children of Seer in the land of
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Edom verse twenty two, and the children of Loton were Horri and Hemon,
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and Lotan's sister was Timna verse twenty three. And the children of Shebal were
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these Alban and Manahath and ebal Sheppo and Onam verse twenty four. And these
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are the children of Zibeon, both Ajah and Anah. This was that Anah
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that found the mules in the wilderness as he fed the asses of Zibeon his
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father verse twenty five. And the children of Annah were these Dishon and Ohalabama,
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the daughter of Annah verse twenty six. And these are the children of
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Deshon, Hemdan and Eshban and Ithran and Schehran verse twenty seven. The children
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of Azir are these Bilhan and Zadan and Akhan verse twenty eight. The children
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and ab Dejon are these us and Iran verse twenty nine. These are the
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dukes that came of the Horiites. Duke Loton, Duke Chabal, Duke Zibeon,
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Duke Anna verse thirty. Duke Deshon and Duke Zar, Duke de Schon.
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These are the dukes that came of hori among their dukes in the land
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of Seer. In the midst of this genealogy of the Edomites, here is
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inserted the genealogy of the Horiites, those Canaanites or Hittites. Compare Chapter twenty
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six, verse thirty four that were the natives of Mount Seer. Mention is
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made of them chapter fourteen, verse six, and their interest in Mount Seer
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before the Edomite took possession of it Deuteronomy chapter two, Verses twelve and twenty
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two. This comes in not only to give light to the story, but
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to be a standing reflection upon the Edomites for intermarrying with them, by which
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it is probable they learned their way and corrupted themselves. Esau, having sold
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his birthright and lost his blessing and entered into alliance with the Hittites, his
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posterity and the sons of Sayer are here reckoned together. Note those that treacherously
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desert God's church are justly numbered with those that were never in it. Aposti
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Edomites stand on the same ground with accursed Horiites. Particular notice is taken of
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one Anaw, who fed the asses of Zibeon his father verse twenty four,
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and yet is called duke Anaw verse twenty nine. Note those that expect to
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rise high should begin low, and honorable descent should not keep man from an
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honest employment, nor a mean employment hinder any man's preferment. This Anah was
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not only industrious in his business, but ingenious too, and successful, for
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he found mules, or as some read it, waters hot baths in the
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wilderness. Those that are diligent in their business sometimes find more advantages than they
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expected Verse thirty one. And these are the kings that reigned in the land
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of Edom before there reigned any king over the children of Israel verse thirty two.
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And Bellah, the son of the Whore, reigned in Edom, and
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the name of his city was den Haabah verse thirty three, and Bellah died,
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and Jobab, the son of Zara of Basrah, reigned in his stead
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verse thirty four, and Jobab died, and Husham of the land Tamani reigned
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in his stead verse thirty five, and Husham died, and Hadad, the
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son of Bidad, who smote Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in
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his stead, and the name of his city was of theth Verse thirty six,
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and Hadad died, and Simalah of Mazureka reigned in his stead verse thirty
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seven, and Simlah died, and Solibriboath by the River reigned in his stead
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verse thirty eight, and Saal died and bal Hanan the son of Akbor,
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reigned in his stead Verse thirty nine. And bal Hanan, the son of
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Akbor, died and Hadar reigned in his stead, And the name of his
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city was Peiu, and his wife's name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred,
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the daughter of Mejah, Verse forty And these are the names of the
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dukes that came of Esau, according to their families, after their places,
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by their names. Duke Tymnah, Duke Alva, Duke Jeheth Verse forty one,
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Duke ahol Obama, Duke Elha, Duke Pennon Verse forty two, Duke
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Cannas, Duke Timon, Duke Mibzar Verse forty three, Duke mcdeal, Duke
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a Ram. These are the dukes of edom according to their habitations in the
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land of their possession. He is Esau the father of the Edomites. By
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degrees, it seems that Edomites wormed out the writes, obtained full possession of
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the country, and had a government of their own number one. They were
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ruled by kings who governed the whole country, and seemed to have come to
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the throne by election, not by lineal das so, Bishop Patrick observes these
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kings reigned in Edom before there reigned any king over the children of Israel,
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that is, before Moses's time, for he was king in Jerusheran Deuteron me
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chapter thirty three, verse five. God had lately promised Jacob that kings should
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come out of his loins chapter thirty five, verse eleven. Yet Esau's blood
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becomes royal long before any of Jacob's did. Note in external prosperity and honor,
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the children of the covenant are often cast behind, and those that are
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out of covenant get the start. The triumphing of the wicked may be quick,
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but it is short, soon ripe, and soon rotten. But the
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products of the promise, though they are slow, are sure and lasting.
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At the end, it shall speak and not lie. We may suppose it
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was a great trial to the fate of God's Israel to hear of the pomp
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and power of the kings of Eden while they were bond slaves in Egypt.
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But those that look for great things from God must be content to wait for
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them. God's time is the best time. Number two. They were afterwards
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governed by dukes again here named, who I suppose ruled at the same time
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in the several places in the country. Either they set up this form of
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government in conformity to the Horites who had used it verse twenty nine, or
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God's providence reduced them to it as some conjecture to correct them for their unkindness
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to Israel and in refusing them passage through their country Numbers Chapter twenty, verse
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nineteen. Note when power is abused, it is just with God to weaken
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it by turning it into divers channels for the transgressionable land. Many are the
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princes thereof sin brought Edom from kings to dukes, from crowns to coronets.
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We read of the dukes of Edom Exodus, chapter fifteen, verse fifteen,
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Yet long afterwards of their kings again three Mount Seyer is called the land of
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their possession verse forty three. While the Israelites dwelt in the house of bondage
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and their Canaan, was only the land of promise that Edomites dwelt in their
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own habitations, and Seyer was in their possession. Note the children of this
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world have there all in hand and nothing in hope Luke Chapter sixteen, verse
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twenty five. While the children of God have there all in hope and next
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to nothing in hand. But all things considered, it is better to have
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Canaan in promise than Mount Seier in possession. And of Chapter thirty six