an honest employment, nor a mean employment hinder any man's preferment. This Anah was not only industrious in his business, but ingenious too, and successful; for he found mules, or, (as some read it,) waters, hot-baths, in the wilderness. Those that are diligent in their business, sometimes find more advantages than they expected.
31. And these are the kings that reigned in the land of Edom, before there reigned any king over the children of Israel. 32. And Bela the son of Beor reigned in Edom: and the name of his city was Dinhabah. 33. And Bela died, and Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his stead. 34. And Jobab died, and Husham of the land of Temani reigned in his stead. 35. And Husham died, and Hadad the son of Bedad, who smote Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his stead: and the name of his city was Avith. 36. And Hadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his stead. 37. And Samlah died, and Saul of Rehoboth by the river reigned in his stead. 38. And Saul died, and Baal-hanan the son of Achbor reigned in his stead. 39. And Baal-hanan the son of Achbor died, and Hadar reigned in his stead; and the name of his city was Pau; and his wife's name was Mehetabal, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab. 40. And these are the names of the dukes that came of Esau, according to their families, after their places, by their names; duke Timnah, duke Alvah, duke Jetheth, 41. Duke Aholibamah, duke Elah, duke Pinon, 42. Duke Kenaz, duke Teman, duke Mibzar, 43. Duke Magdiel, duke Iram: these be the dukes of Edom, according to their habitations in the land of their possession: he is Esau the father of the Edomites.
By degrees, it seems, the Edomites wormed out the Horites, and got full possession of the country, and had a government of their own. 1. They were ruled by kings who governed the whole country, and seem to have come to the throne by election, and not by lineal descent; so Bishop Patrick observes. These kings reigned in Edom before there reigned any king over the children of Israel, that is, before Moses's time, for he was king in Jeshurun, v. 3. God had lately promised Jacob, that kings should come out of his loins, {ch. 35. 11.) yet Esau's blood becomes royal long before any of Jacob's did. Note, In external prosperity and honour, the children of the covenant are often cast behind, and those that are out of covenant get the start. The triumphing of the wicked may be quick, but it is short; soon ripe, and as soon rotten: while the productions of the promise, though they are slow, are sure and lasting; at the end it shall speak, and not lie. We may suppose it a great trial to the faith of God's Israel, to hear of the pomp and power of the kings of Edom, while they were bond-slaves in Egypt; but those that look for great things from God, must be content to wait for them; God's time is the best time. 2. They were afterward governed by dukes, again here named, who, I suppose, ruled all at the same time in several places in the country. Either they set up this form of government in conformity to the Horites, who had used it, v. 29.) or God's providence reduced them to it, as some conjecture, to correct them for their unkindness to Israel, in refusing them a passage through their country, Numb. 20. 18. Note, When power is abused, it is just with God to weaken it, by turning it into divers channels. For the transgression of a land, many are the princes thereof. Sin brought Edom from kings to dukes, from crowns to coronets. We read of the dukes of Edom, (Exod. 15. 15.) yet, long afterward, of their kings again.
Lastly, Observe, Mount Seir is called the land of their possession, v. 43. While the Israelites dwelt in the house of bondage, and their Canaan was only the land of promise, the Edomites dwelt in their own habitations, and Seir was in their possession. Note, The children of this world have their all in hand, and nothing in hope, (Luke 16. 25.) while the children of God have their all in hope, and next to nothing in hand. But, all things considered, it is better to have Canaan in promise, than mount Seir in possession.
CHAP. XXXVII.
At this chapter, begins the story of Joseph, who, from hence, in every chapter (but one) to the end of this book, makes the greatest figure. He was Jacob's eldest son by his beloved wife Rachel, born, as many eminent men were, of a mother that had been long barren. His story is so remarkably divided between his humiliation and his exaltation, that we cannot avoid seeing something of Christ in it, who was first humbled and then exalted, and, in many instances, so as to answer the type of Joseph. It also shows the lot of christians, who must through many tribulations enter into the kingdom. In this chapter, we have, I. The malice his brethren bore against him. They hated him, I. Because he informed his father of their wickedness, v. 1, 2. 2. Because his father loved him, v. 3, 4. 3. Because he dreamed of his dominion over them, v. 5..11. II. The mischiefs his brethren designed and did to him. 1. The kind visit he made them, gave an opportunity, v. 12..17. 2. They designed to slay him, but determined to starve him, v. 18..24. 3. They changed their purpose, and sold him for a slave, v. 25..28. 4. They made their father believe that he was torn in pieces, v. 29..35. 5. He was sold into Egypt to Potiphar, v. 36. And all this was working together for good.
1.AND Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan. 2. These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report. 3. Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours. 4. And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.
Moses has no more to say of the Edomites, unless as they happen to fall in Israel's way; but now applies himself closely to the story of Jacob's family, These are the generations of Jacob. His is not a bare barren genealogy as that of Esau, (ch. 36. 1.) but a memorable, useful history. Here is, 1. Jacob a sojourner with his father Isaac, who was yet living, v. 1. We shall never be at home, till we come to heaven. 2. Joseph, a shepherd, feeding the flock with his brethren, v. 2. Though he was his
