Crowning Reward

Genesis 36 is a long chapter containing many names, but is the end of the story as far as Esau is concerned. The Edomites are named in the Old Testament only because they are a part of the story of Israel. "Esau" and "Edom", the avowed enemies of the Jews, are mentioned over two hundred times in the Bible, but "Jacob" and "Israel" are found over two thousand times!

We can still learn something from this chapter. I want us to focus on one verse that concerns some of Esau’s in-laws (Genesis 36:24). Now compare v.25 to v.1-2 (Genesis 36:1-2 cp. Genesis 36:25). Here we learn that Anah is Esau’s father-in-law and Ajah is his wife’s uncle. And in this list of names that usually makes for dull reading, the Holy Spirit gives us a footnote; gives us a bit of narrative in v.24 about these two brothers when they were younger and were out tending to their father’s donkeys.

How many times have you woke up on a Sunday morning, and you went through your normal routine of getting ready for church? How many moms faithfully get up and get their families ready for church? How many times have we come to church in the same old routine, doing the same old thing, week in and week out. But then on one given Sunday, God just shows up in such a powerful way. Somebody gets gloriously saved. Somebody is moved to tears. Somebody joins the church. Somebody is touched by God. God moves in your heart in a powerful way. And what you’ve experienced is an ‘Unforseen Blessing’.
That’s what we read about in our text. Anah and Ajah were out tending the animals for their father. They were out doing what they always had done. And then the Holy Spirit records for us that they come into an unforseen blessing. [mules -KJV; springs of water -NKJV]. Either way, it was an unforseen blessing. He wasn’t looking for anything, but because he was out there doing what he was supposed to be doing, he found some unforseen, unexpected blessings.

Anah went on to become a chief (Genesis 36:29). He went on to receive a crown. [By the way, this is why old carnal Esau marries his daughter. It’s for political gain; selfish motive]. But the point is Anah went on to receive the crown. Listen when you faithfully serve the Lord, and even though it becomes monotonous at times, there’s coming a day at the Judgement Seat of Christ, when you’ll hear those words: "Well done my good and faithful servant". And there you’ll receive your crown!