Kept by a Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken

Genesis 36:31-39

³¹These are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom, before any king reigned over the Israelites. ³²Bela the son of Beor reigned in Edom, the name of his city being Dinhabah. ³³Bela died, and Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his place. ³⁴Jobab died, and Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned in his place. ³⁵Husham died, and Hadad the son of Bedad, who defeated Midian in the country of Moab, reigned in his place, the name of his city being Avith. ³⁶Hadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his place. ³⁷Samlah died, and Shaul of Rehoboth on the Euphrates reigned in his place. ³⁸Shaul died, and Baal-hanan the son of Achbor reigned in his place. ³⁹Baal-hanan the son of Achbor died, and Hadar reigned in his place, the name of his city being Pau; his wife’s name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, daughter of Mezahab.

(ESV)

Thought:
Here in this passage is recorded some of the first kings of Edom. Notice not a single one of them is descended from the other. There is no continual line or dynasty, it appears some may have been overthrown, or they had some form of elective monarchy. But either way with each passing king came a new capital city, and a new type of monarchy.

Does it not appear they are superior to Israel, they achieved unity among themselves before the Israelites did, they were moving ahead in establishing themselves as a unified kingdom. But yet you see even within this unity was instability and constant change. No solid foundation,

The major difference in Israel was the line of David, an unbroken line of kings from King David all the way to the Messiah, Jesus. Kings would often present themselves as being living embodiments of the gods, so as to bring some divine authority and permanency to their dynasties. An unbroken dynasty was seen as having divine blessing.

It was a sign of God’s keeping power and protection over his chosen people. So too as God’s power was at work sustaining the line of David unlike the human-made monarchies of the Edomites. So too us his people are kept by his power.

It should be a matter of great encouragement and security for us, that God’s power is sustaining us, that we are not part of a kingdom of our own making, but part of a kingdom that is divine, sustained by divine power, meaning we too are sustained by that same power.

All security, all assurance, all certainty can be found not in the strength of man, but in..

Jude 24

²⁴Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy,

(ESV)

Reflection:
As I go about my day, I need to remember that human strength, human systems, and human stability are always fragile. Edom looked unified, but beneath the surface was constant change and uncertainty. God’s people, however, were sustained by His power, not their own. Today I need to apply this by resting in the security of God’s kingdom—knowing He is the One who keeps me, holds me, and preserves me when everything else feels unstable.

Prayer:
Father, thank You that Your kingdom is not built on human strength but on Your sustaining power. Keep me from placing my confidence in what is fragile, and teach me to trust the One who is able to keep me from stumbling and present me before Your glory with great joy. Strengthen my faith and anchor my hope in You alone. Amen.