Edom, the hill country of Seir, is Southwest of the Dead sea, a dry near desert like land, but with winter rains and occasional rain at other times.
The descendants of Esau are well documented from Egyptian sources that corroborate the biblical account.
From Wikipedia: After an attack on Joseph’s Tomb and its subsequent takeover by Arabs ceded to the Palestinian Authority after the Oslo accord, hundreds of residents of Bethlehem and the Aida refugee camp, led by the Palestinian Authority-appointed governor of Bethlehem, Muhammad Rashad al-Jabari, attacked Rachel’s Tomb. They set the scaffolding that had been erected around it on fire and tried to break in. The IDF dispersed the mob with gunfire and stun grenades, and dozens were wounded. In the following years, the Israeli-controlled site became a flashpoint between young Palestinians who hurled stones, bottles and firebombs and IDF troops, who responded with tear gas and rubber bullets.
At the end of 2000, when the second intifada broke out, the tomb came under attack for 41 days. Fatah operatives and members of the Palestinian security services who were responsible for curbing militant activity against Israelis actively participated in it. In May 2001, fifty Jews found themselves trapped inside by a firefight between the IDF and Palestinian Authority gunmen. In March 2002 the IDF returned to Bethlehem as part of Operation Defensive Shield and remained there for an extended period of time. In September 2002, the tomb was incorporated on the Israeli side of the West Bank barrier and surrounded by a concrete wall and watchtowers.
This is a sordid chapter in Israel’s history, recorded with warts and all, showing evil and treachery.
That was not the reason for circumcision!
The angels of God are everywhere for those whose eyes are opened.
Jacob is trying to pacify Esau with gifts.
The Ford of Jabbok.
Jacob had his plans, but God….
This was a foolish statement, but Jacob did not vow before the LORD, so he did not have to make good on his promise.
Rachel is deceitful and lies, still depends on the idols.
Mandrakes are both narcotic and hallucinogenic, and were used for sorcery and divination, but were also believed to cure sterility. Rachel kept trying anything.
Hitler practised mysticism, and possessed mandrakes. Nowadays mandrakes are used in some Wiccan rituals. And then there was the early 20th century cartoon “Mandrake the Magician”.
So Laban used divination. Many believe that the best way to find water is using a divining rod. If bent the right way it will point down to where water can be found.
Two weddings in one week! Then he worked another seven years for Laban.
Esau’s wives so far were Hittites. That explains why Rebekah in chapter 27:46 “I’m disgusted with living because of these Hittite women. If Jacob takes a wife from among the women of this land, from Hittite women like these, my life will not be worth living.” It was not prejudice, it was the friction between mother-in-law and daughters-in-law.
Jesus repeats this phrase when he first met Nathaniel
And who has ever sung this Sunday School song?
Rebekah: Let the curse fall on me. She didn’t have it easy after that.
Rebekah was the original inventor of the plot for Isaac to give Jacob the blessing rather than Esau after Jacob had extorted Esau’s birthright. By deceit they fulfilled God’s will. The Bible shows how sinful man can still fulfill God’s purpose.
Len Bilén's blog, a blog about faith, politics and the environment. 