Rev Xi An Poon
「因為二人的財物群畜甚多，寄居的地方容不下他們，所以不能同居。於是以掃住在西珥山裏；以掃就是以東。」——創世記36:7–8
《創世記36章》看起來是一連串家譜、族長和君王的名字，但這一章並不是沒有生命的信息。
第35章記載雅各回到伯特利，神再次向他顯現，堅立祂的應許；第37章則開始進入約瑟的故事。聖經在兩章之間，先用整整一章交代以掃和他後裔的發展，然後才把焦點重新帶回雅各的家。
經文一開始就說：「以掃就是以東。」——創世記36:1
以掃雖然沒有承接亞伯拉罕、以撒和雅各這條立約應許的主線，但神並沒有忘記他。他有妻子、有兒女、有牲畜、有財物，也有自己的土地；他的後代成為族長，甚至在以色列尚未有君王以前，已經在以東地作王。
神曾對利百加說：「兩國在你腹內；兩族要從你身上出來。」——創世記25:23
如今，雅各成為以色列，以掃也成為以東。神所說的話沒有落空。
然而，這一章不單讓我們看見神仍然施恩，也提醒我們：得着恩典和發展，並不代表我們所走的每一個方向都自然正確。人蒙恩之後，仍然需要分辨神所給的道路，並在前進中守住生命的方向。
一、在失去中，看見神仍然施恩
「以掃帶着他的妻子、兒女，與家中一切的人口，並他的牛羊、牲畜，和一切貨財，就是他在迦南地所得的，往別處去，離了他兄弟雅各。」——創世記36:6
以掃曾經輕看長子的名分，也沒有得着他原本想從父親以撒所得的祝福。這些選擇為他的生命帶來真實的後果。
然而，第36章讓我們看見，失去不代表神完全停止施恩。
以掃離開雅各時，並不是一無所有。他有妻子、兒女、人口、牲畜和財物；神也使他的後代逐漸發展成為一個民族。
神沒有把以掃失去的長子名分原樣歸還給他，也沒有改變立約應許的主線，但神仍然在他的生命中留下恩典和出路。
有時候，我們沒有得到期待中的機會、位置、關係或結果，便以為神已經忘記我們。
但神的恩典不一定是把失去的原樣歸還。祂可能在另一條道路上，繼續給我們新的空間和出路。
所以，不要只看自己失去了甚麼，也要看神今天仍然放在我們手中的恩典。
二、在豐盛中，分辨神給自己的道路
「因為二人的財物群畜甚多，寄居的地方容不下他們，所以不能同居。於是以掃住在西珥山裏；以掃就是以東。」——創世記36:7–8
「以色列人未有君王治理以先，在以東地作王的記在下面。」——創世記36:31
以掃和雅各的財物、牲畜都非常多，寄居之地不能同時容納他們。後來，以掃的後代不但成為族長，更在以色列尚未有君王以前，已經在以東地作王。
從外在來看，以掃的發展非常快。
他有土地、有族群、有領袖，也有君王；相反，雅各的家仍要面對許多問題。到了第37章，約瑟更要被哥哥們出賣，整個家庭將進入更深的破碎。
如果單用速度和外在成果來衡量，好像以掃比雅各更加成功。
但外在的豐盛，與神所託付的道路並不完全相同。
以掃有自己的土地和發展；雅各則承接神立約與救贖計劃的主線。他們都在神的掌管中，卻有不同的位置和使命。
這提醒我們，不要用別人的速度衡量自己的生命。
有人很快看見成果，有人仍在等候；有人得到許多外在資源，有人卻正在經歷更深的塑造。
真正重要的不是：「為甚麼別人有，而我沒有？」
而是：「神給我的道路是甚麼？我是否忠心走在其中？」
在等候中不要與人比較，在豐盛中也不要失去分辨。
三、在發展中，守住生命的方向
「西珥山裏原有的居民何利人的子孫記在下面。」——創世記36:20
「以上的族長都是以掃的後代，就着他們的宗族、住處、名字記在下面。他們的始祖以掃就是以東。」——創世記36:40、43
以掃的家族住在西珥之後，逐漸與當地居民產生婚姻、家族和地域上的連結，最後發展成為以東民族。
《創世記36章》本身並沒有直接說，以東後來與以色列為敵，是因為他們與何利人連結。因此，我們不能把後來所有的敵對，簡單歸咎於這些婚姻和關係。
但這段家譜讓我們看見，一個家庭或群體在發展的過程中，會不斷受到身邊的文化、環境、關係和利益影響。
後來在《民數記20章》，當以色列人請求經過以東地時，以東卻拒絕他們通過。以東和以色列本是兄弟民族，後來卻逐漸走向衝突。
這提醒我們，人曾經蒙恩，不代表以後每一個選擇都自然正確。
神可以給我們機會、資源、位置和發展，但我們仍然要決定，如何使用神所給的一切。
環境、文化、利益和成功，都可能慢慢改變我們的方向。
所以，我們不只要問：「我得到了多少？」
也要問：「我的生命正在走向哪裏？」
蒙恩不是終點，發展也不是終點。蒙恩之後，仍然要守住與神的關係、祂的真理和祂所給的使命。
《創世記36章》讓我們看見，神沒有忘記以掃。
雖然以掃沒有承接立約應許的主線，也要承擔自己過去選擇所帶來的結果，但神仍然使他有兒女、有財物、有土地，也使他的後代成為族長和君王。
神的恩典仍然臨到他，但神給他的道路，與雅各所承接的使命並不相同。
因此，在失去中，我們要看見神仍然施恩；在豐盛中，我們要分辨神給自己的道路；在發展中，我們更要守住生命的方向。
今天是這個星期最後一天的晨禱。回顧這一星期，我們不單要數算自己領受了多少恩典，也要思想：我們是否正在用正確的生命回應神所賜的一切？
神給我們恩典，不只是讓我們擁有更多，更是要我們在恩典中走對方向。
- 我是否因為沒有得到所期待的，就以為神已經忘記我？
- 我是否正用別人的速度和成果衡量自己的生命？
- 在神所賜的恩典中，我今天需要重新守住甚麼方向？
親愛的天父，感謝祢在我們失去和軟弱的時候，仍然沒有忘記我們。求祢幫助我們不與人比較，在恩典中懂得分辨，在發展中守住祢所給的方向。願我們不單領受祢的恩典，更忠心走在祢為我們預備的道路上。奉主耶穌基督的名禱告，阿們。
創世記 36
1 以掃，就是以東，他的後代記在下面。 2 以掃娶迦南的女子為妻，就是赫人以倫的女兒亞大和希未人祭便的孫女、亞拿的女兒阿荷利巴瑪， 3 又娶了以實瑪利的女兒、尼拜約的妹子巴實抹。 4 亞大給以掃生了以利法，巴實抹生了流珥， 5 阿荷利巴瑪生了耶烏施、雅蘭、可拉。這都是以掃的兒子，是在迦南地生的。 6 以掃帶著他的妻子、兒女與家中一切的人口，並他的牛羊、牲畜和一切貨財，就是他在迦南地所得的，往別處去，離了他兄弟雅各。 7 因為二人的財物群畜甚多，寄居的地方容不下他們，所以不能同居。 8 於是，以掃住在西珥山裡，以掃就是以東。
9 以掃是西珥山裡以東人的始祖，他的後代記在下面。 10 以掃眾子的名字如下：以掃的妻子亞大生以利法，以掃的妻子巴實抹生流珥。 11 以利法的兒子是提幔、阿抹、洗玻、迦坦、基納斯。 12 亭納是以掃兒子以利法的妾，她給以利法生了亞瑪力。這是以掃的妻子亞大的子孫。 13 流珥的兒子是拿哈、謝拉、沙瑪、米撒。這是以掃妻子巴實抹的子孫。 14 以掃的妻子阿荷利巴瑪是祭便的孫女、亞拿的女兒，她給以掃生了耶烏施、雅蘭、可拉。
15 以掃子孫中做族長的記在下面。以掃的長子以利法的子孫中，有提幔族長、阿抹族長、洗玻族長、基納斯族長、 16 可拉族長、迦坦族長、亞瑪力族長。這是在以東地從以利法所出的族長，都是亞大的子孫。 17 以掃的兒子流珥的子孫中，有拿哈族長、謝拉族長、沙瑪族長、米撒族長。這是在以東地從流珥所出的族長，都是以掃妻子巴實抹的子孫。 18 以掃的妻子阿荷利巴瑪的子孫中，有耶烏施族長、雅蘭族長、可拉族長。這是從以掃妻子，亞拿的女兒阿荷利巴瑪子孫中所出的族長。 19 以上的族長都是以掃的子孫，以掃就是以東。
20 那地原有的居民何利人西珥的子孫記在下面，就是羅坍、朔巴、祭便、亞拿、 21 底順、以察、底珊。這是從以東地的何利人西珥子孫中所出的族長。 22 羅坍的兒子是何利、希幔，羅坍的妹子是亭納。 23 朔巴的兒子是亞勒文、瑪拿轄、以巴錄、示玻、阿南。 24 祭便的兒子是亞雅、亞拿（當時在曠野放他父親祭便的驢，遇著溫泉的，就是這亞拿）。 25 亞拿的兒子是底順，亞拿的女兒是阿荷利巴瑪。 26 底順的兒子是欣但、伊是班、益蘭、基蘭。 27 以察的兒子是辟罕、撒番、亞干。 28 底珊的兒子是烏斯、亞蘭。 29 從何利人所出的族長記在下面，就是羅坍族長、朔巴族長、祭便族長、亞拿族長、 30 底順族長、以察族長、底珊族長。這是從何利人所出的族長，都在西珥地，按著宗族做族長。
31 以色列人未有君王治理以先，在以東地做王的記在下面。 32 比珥的兒子比拉在以東做王，他的京城名叫亭哈巴。 33 比拉死了，波斯拉人謝拉的兒子約巴接續他做王。 34 約巴死了，提幔地的人戶珊接續他做王。 35 戶珊死了，比達的兒子哈達接續他做王，這哈達就是在摩押地殺敗米甸人的，他的京城名叫亞未得。 36 哈達死了，瑪士利加人桑拉接續他做王。 37 桑拉死了，大河邊的利河伯人掃羅接續他做王。 38 掃羅死了，亞革波的兒子巴勒哈南接續他做王。 39 亞革波的兒子巴勒哈南死了，哈達接續他做王，他的京城名叫巴烏，他的妻子名叫米希她別，是米薩合的孫女、瑪特列的女兒。
40 從以掃所出的族長，按著他們的宗族、住處，名字記在下面，就是亭納族長、亞勒瓦族長、耶帖族長、 41 阿何利巴瑪族長、以拉族長、比嫩族長、 42 基納斯族長、提幔族長、米比薩族長、 43 瑪基疊族長、以蘭族長。這是以東人在所得為業的地上，按著他們的住處，所有的族長都是以東人的始祖以掃的後代。
Key Verse:
“For their possessions were too great for them to dwell together, and the land where they were strangers could not support them because of their livestock. So Esau dwelt in Mount Seir. Esau is Edom.”
—Genesis 36:7–8, NKJV
Genesis 36 may look like a long list of names, families, chiefs, and kings. But it carries an important message.
Esau did not receive the covenant line given through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Yet God did not forget him.
Esau had children, livestock, possessions, land, chiefs, and even kings among his descendants. He became the nation of Edom, just as God had said that two nations would come from Rebekah.
This chapter teaches us that losing what we expected does not mean God has stopped showing grace. But receiving grace does not mean every direction we take is automatically right.
First, in loss, see that God is still giving grace.
Esau lost the birthright and the blessing he wanted. His choices brought real consequences, but God did not remove every blessing from his life.
Sometimes we lose an opportunity, a position, a relationship, or a result we deeply wanted. We may think God has forgotten us.
But God may not restore everything in the same form. He may open another path and continue to show grace in a different way.
Do not look only at what you have lost. Look also at what God has still placed in your hands.
Second, in blessing, discern the path God has given you.
Esau became wealthy, and his descendants developed quickly. They had land, leaders, and kings before Israel had a king.
From the outside, Esau’s family seemed to move faster than Jacob’s family.
But outward success and God’s covenant purpose are not the same thing.
God gave Esau one path and Jacob another. We must not measure our lives by another person’s speed, opportunity, or success.
The important question is not, “Why do they have more than I do?”
The important question is, “What path has God given me, and am I walking faithfully in it?”
Third, in growth, keep the right direction.
Esau’s family settled in Seir and became connected with the people and culture of that land. Over time, Edom grew into a strong nation.
Later, Edom and Israel became enemies, even though they came from two brothers.
This reminds us that receiving grace is not the end. As our lives grow, we must still guard our values, relationships, and direction.
Our environment, culture, interests, and success can slowly shape us.
So we must not only ask, “How much have I gained?”
We must also ask, “Where is my life going?”
Conclusion
Genesis 36 shows us that God did not forget Esau. Even after loss and failure, God still gave him grace and room to grow.
But this chapter also reminds us that blessing is not the same as direction.
We need to see God’s grace in loss, discern His path in blessing, and keep the right direction as life develops.
As we come to the last morning devotion of this week, let us not only count how much grace we have received. Let us also ask whether we are responding to that grace in the right way.
Reflection
Have I believed that God forgot me because I did not receive what I expected?
Am I comparing my path with someone else’s success?
What direction do I need to guard again today?
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You do not forget us, even in loss and weakness.
Help us not to compare ourselves with others. Give us wisdom to discern the path You have prepared for us.
Teach us to receive Your grace with humility and to keep walking in the right direction.
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Genesis 36
1 Now this is the genealogy of Esau, who is Edom. 2 Esau took his wives from the daughters of Canaan: Adah the daughter of Elon the Hittite; Aholibamah the daughter of Anah, the daughter of Zibeon the Hivite; 3 and Basemath, Ishmael’s daughter, sister of Nebajoth. 4 Now Adah bore Eliphaz to Esau, and Basemath bore Reuel. 5 And Aholibamah bore Jeush, Jaalam, and Korah. These were the sons of Esau who were born to him in the land of Canaan.
6 Then Esau took his wives, his sons, his daughters, and all the persons of his household, his cattle and all his animals, and all his goods which he had gained in the land of Canaan, and went to a country away from the presence of his brother Jacob. 7 For their possessions were too great for them to dwell together, and the land where they were strangers could not support them because of their livestock. 8 So Esau dwelt in Mount Seir. Esau is Edom.
9 And this is the genealogy of Esau the father of the Edomites in Mount Seir. 10 These were the names of Esau’s sons: Eliphaz the son of Adah the wife of Esau, and Reuel the son of Basemath the wife of Esau. 11 And the sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho, Gatam, and Kenaz.
12 Now Timna was the concubine of Eliphaz, Esau’s son, and she bore Amalek to Eliphaz. These were the sons of Adah, Esau’s wife.
13 These were the sons of Reuel: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah. These were the sons of Basemath, Esau’s wife.
14 These were the sons of Aholibamah, Esau’s wife, the daughter of Anah, the daughter of Zibeon. And she bore to Esau: Jeush, Jaalam, and Korah.
15 These were the chiefs of the sons of Esau. The sons of Eliphaz, the firstborn son of Esau, were Chief Teman, Chief Omar, Chief Zepho, Chief Kenaz, 16 Chief Korah, Chief Gatam, and Chief Amalek. These were the chiefs of Eliphaz in the land of Edom. They were the sons of Adah.
17 These were the sons of Reuel, Esau’s son: Chief Nahath, Chief Zerah, Chief Shammah, and Chief Mizzah. These were the chiefs of Reuel in the land of Edom. These were the sons of Basemath, Esau’s wife.
18 And these were the sons of Aholibamah, Esau’s wife: Chief Jeush, Chief Jaalam, and Chief Korah. These were the chiefs who descended from Aholibamah, Esau’s wife, the daughter of Anah. 19 These were the sons of Esau, who is Edom, and these were their chiefs.
20 These were the sons of Seir the Horite who inhabited the land: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, 21 Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan. These were the chiefs of the Horites, the sons of Seir, in the land of Edom.
22 And the sons of Lotan were Hori and Hemam. Lotan’s sister was Timna.
23 These were the sons of Shobal: Alvan, Manahath, Ebal, Shepho, and Onam.
24 These were the sons of Zibeon: both Ajah and Anah. This was the Anah who found the water in the wilderness as he pastured the donkeys of his father Zibeon. 25 These were the children of Anah: Dishon and Aholibamah the daughter of Anah.
26 These were the sons of Dishon: Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran, and Cheran. 27 These were the sons of Ezer: Bilhan, Zaavan, and Akan. 28 These were the sons of Dishan: Uz and Aran.
29 These were the chiefs of the Horites: Chief Lotan, Chief Shobal, Chief Zibeon, Chief Anah, 30 Chief Dishon, Chief Ezer, and Chief Dishan. These were the chiefs of the Horites, according to their chiefs in the land of Seir.
31 Now these were the kings who reigned in the land of Edom before any king reigned over the children of Israel: 32 Bela the son of Beor reigned in Edom, and the name of his city was Dinhabah. 33 And when Bela died, Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his place. 34 When Jobab died, Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned in his place. 35 And when Husham died, Hadad the son of Bedad, who attacked Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his place. And the name of his city was Avith. 36 When Hadad died, Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his place. 37 And when Samlah died, Saul of Rehoboth-by-the-River reigned in his place. 38 When Saul died, Baal-Hanan the son of Achbor reigned in his place. 39 And when Baal-Hanan the son of Achbor died, Hadar reigned in his place; and the name of his city was Pau. His wife’s name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab.
40 And these were the names of the chiefs of Esau, according to their families and their places, by their names: Chief Timnah, Chief Alvah, Chief Jetheth, 41 Chief Aholibamah, Chief Elah, Chief Pinon, 42 Chief Kenaz, Chief Teman, Chief Mibzar, 43 Chief Magdiel, and Chief Iram. These were the chiefs of Edom, according to their dwelling places in the land of their possession. Esau was the father of the Edomites.
Zion Bread of Life Christian Church 
Leave a comment