Genesis 36 ends with the “toldot” (what had became of) Esau. And his genealogical history is outlined to indicate his material prosperity and greatness. But there is an even greater spiritual significance of these things, showing how that the world experiences prosperity when God’s people learn to patiently wait on Him.
When Jacob’s two sons, Simeon and Levi, killed all the men of Shechem, he became fearful that his small tribe would be attacked in vengeance from the surrounding Canaanites. God commanded him to return to Bethel; but before he could leave, he had to purge idolatry from his household and peoples.
After the rape of Dinah, Simeon and Levi, her brothers, took revenge and killed all the men of Shechem. Jacob reprimanded his two sons for their violent acts and feared the destruction of his clans by vengeful Gentile neighbors. God once again rescued Jacob and told him to return to Bethel, where God appeared to him when he fled from his brother Esau.
After Jacob encounters his brother Esau in peace, Esau returns to Mt. Stir bu Jacob settles outside of Shechem. In time, Jacob’s daughter Leah decides to socially interact with the daughters of the Canaanite city-state of Shechem. She is discovered by Shechem, the prince of the town and is raped.
After wrestling with God and receiving a new name to reflect his changed character, Jacob proceeded towards the Land of Promise. His faith was strengthened; but he was still fearful of meeting his brother Esau. So, once again he devised a plan of escape for his family by separating them into three groups.
After Laban departed from Jacob and returned home, Jacob’s thoughts focussed on his most pressing concern – meeting his brother Esau. Twenty years ago when Jacob left his father’s home to go to Haran, he was also fleeing the anger of his brother Esau, who had sworn to kill him because of a perceived “stolen blessing”.
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