Most of the time, the greatest temptation for Christians is to think that God’s blessing is equivalent to financial reward, fame, comfort, or seeing our earthly dreams fulfilled. But Scripture teaches that true success is not measured by worldly standards. True success is measured by faithfulness to the will of God.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for Your mercy and grace through our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank You for reminding us that true success is not found in wealth, fame, comfort, or earthly achievement, but in faithfully walking according to Your will.

Forgive us for the times we have measured blessing by worldly standards and allowed our hearts to chase temporary things rather than eternal treasures. Transform our minds through Your Word so that we may see life from Your perspective and not according to the pattern of this world.

Teach us to delight in obedience even when the path is difficult, slow, or unnoticed by others. Help us to trust that Your plans are always good, acceptable, and perfect.

Lord, may our lives glorify You. Whether in success or hardship, abundance or lack, position or obscurity, help us remain faithful to the work You have entrusted to us. Make us servants like Christ—humble, obedient, and surrendered to Your purpose.

May we pursue not the applause of the world, but the approval of Heaven. At the end of our lives, may we hear You say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

We commit our lives, dreams, and future into Your hands.

In Jesus’ name we pray,

Amen.

ROMANS 12:1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

At first, the will of God may not seem delightful to us because our minds have been shaped by the world’s definition of success. Before we can truly surrender our lives to God, we must first experience His mercy—His forgiveness through the cross of Christ. Only when we understand what Jesus has done for us will we willingly offer our bodies as living sacrifices in worship and service.

Then God begins transforming our minds. We no longer evaluate life according to worldly standards, but according to God’s perspective.

Charles Stanley once said: “Success is the continuing achievement of becoming the person God wants us to be and accomplishing the goals God has helped us set.”

JOHN 17:4 I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do.

True success is accomplishing what God entrusted us to do, in God’s way. Jesus Himself measured success not by popularity, wealth, or earthly power, but by faithful obedience to the Father.

HEBREWS 12:16 that there be no immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal. 17 For you know that even afterwards, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears.

Esau is one of the clearest biblical examples of a man who succeeded according to worldly standards yet failed spiritually. Esau valued temporary satisfaction more than eternal blessing. He traded spiritual inheritance for immediate pleasure.

GENESIS 36

1. God wanted the Israelites to remember that the Edomites were not strangers but relatives. Moses repeatedly reminds Israel that “Esau is Edom.” This repetition is intentional.Esau was Jacob’s twin brother, and the Edomites were descendants of Abraham through Isaac.

When Israel came out of Egypt on their way to the Promised Land, the Edomites refused to let them pass through their territory. Naturally, the Israelites could have developed bitterness and a desire for revenge. Perhaps they thought that once they became established in the land, they would retaliate against Edom for their hostility.

GENESIS 36:31 Now these are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom before any king reigned over the sons of Israel. 32 Bela the son of Beor reigned in Edom, and the name of his city was Dinhabah.

2. Genesis 36 was included in Scripture not merely to record Edom’s history, but also to make Israel—and us—consider the final outcome of Esau’s godless life in contrast with Jacob’s life of covenant faith.

Long before Israel even had a king, Edom already possessed organized leadership, political power, and established kingdoms. From a worldly perspective, Esau’s line appeared prosperous, advanced, and successful.

At that time, while Edom was developing as a nation with kings and rulers, the descendants of Jacob were suffering in slavery in Egypt. Humanly speaking, it might have seemed that Esau’s path was the better path. Esau’s descendants looked powerful and established, while Jacob’s descendants looked weak, oppressed, and forgotten.

This teaches an important spiritual truth: earthly success is not necessarily evidence of God’s approval. There are times when those who disregard God appear to prosper faster than those who seek to obey Him. The ungodly may build kingdoms while the people of God go through suffering, waiting, or hardship. But God’s purposes are not measured by temporary appearances.

1 Now these are the records of the generations of Esau (that is, Edom)... 8 So Esau lived in the hill country of Seir; Esau is Edom. 9 These then are the records of the generations of Esau the father of the Edomites in the hill country of Seir... 19 These are the sons of Esau (that is, Edom), and these are their chiefs.

REASONS FOR THE INCLUSION OF GENESIS 36 IN THE BIBLE

GENESIS 37:1 Now Jacob lived in the land where his father had sojourned, in the land of Canaan.

While Esau was building earthly kingdoms, Jacob remained a pilgrim in the land of promise. Esau’s success was immediate and visible. Jacob’s inheritance required faith and patience. This sets before us two choices: One leads to temporary glory. The other leads to eternal blessing.

1. The choice to pursue worldly success, pleasure, fame, and visible achievement.

2. The choice to pursue obedience to God, even when the rewards seem slower and less visible.

Four Areas where Esau and his Descendants Succeeded in this World, but Failed Terribly in Light of Eternity

1. PLEASURE.

GENESIS 36:2 Esau took his wives from the daughters of Canaan: Adah the daughter of Elon the Hittite, and Oholibamah the daughter of Anah and the granddaughter of Zibeon the Hivite; 3 also Basemath, Ishmael’s daughter, the sister of Nebaioth. 4 Adah bore Eliphaz to Esau, and Basemath bore Reuel, 5 and Oholibamah bore Jeush and Jalam and Korah. These are the sons of Esau who were born to him in the land of Canaan.

Esau’s marriages were not simply personal choices; they reflected the spiritual priorities of his life. God had already separated Abraham’s family for covenant purposes, and Abraham was careful that Isaac would not be joined to the corrupt Canaanite culture. Esau knew this family conviction, yet he chose according to personal desire rather than according to God’s program.

His decisions show a man more concerned with immediate pleasure and worldly attraction than with spiritual inheritance. Instead of asking where God was leading, Esau pursued what satisfied him emotionally and physically. As a result, the covenant family became connected with people whose culture and beliefs were opposed to the worship of the true God.

GENESIS 26:34 When Esau was forty years old he married Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Basemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite;

Esau’s marriages brought grief to Isaac and Rebekah. His parents understood that these unions were not merely cultural differences but spiritual compromises. Esau’s choices revealed independence from godly counsel and disregard for the spiritual direction of the family.

This shows how a person can know the truth and still reject it in favor of personal preference. Esau was raised in a household that knew the promises of God, yet familiarity with spiritual truth does not guarantee obedience to it.

GENESIS 28:9 and Esau went to Ishmael, and married, besides the wives that he had, Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, the sister of Nebaioth.

Esau appears to realize that his parents were displeased with his marriages. However, instead of genuinely seeking God’s will, he merely made another outward adjustment by marrying within Abraham’s extended family line through Ishmael.

This demonstrates the difference between external correction and true spiritual transformation. Esau attempted to solve the problem outwardly without addressing the deeper issue of his heart. His life consistently revolved around self-directed choices rather than humble submission to God.

GENESIS 36:24 These are the sons of Zibeon: Aiah and Anah—he is the Anah who found the hot springs in the wilderness when he was pasturing the donkeys of his father Zibeon.

The genealogy surrounding Esau contains names and descriptions tied to earthly discoveries, territories, tribes, occupations, and settlements. In ancient Middle Eastern culture, names often reflected identity, achievements, reputation, or circumstances surrounding a person’s life.

Anah became known for discovering springs in the wilderness. The name Beeri is associated with wells or springs as well, which may explain the variation in names within the genealogical record. Terms like Hivite and Horite are also connected to locations, tribal identities, and ways of living, such as cave dwellers.

The overall emphasis of these names is largely earthly and cultural. God is noticeably absent from the identity and direction of these generations. Their legacy centered on land, achievement, survival, and human accomplishment.

By contrast, the names and history connected with Jacob’s family repeatedly point toward encounters with God, dependence upon His promises, covenant relationship, worship, and divine purpose.

2. POSSESSION.

GENESIS 36:6 Then Esau took his wives and his sons and his daughters and all his household, and his livestock and all his cattle and all his goods which he had acquired in the land of Canaan, and went to another land away from his brother Jacob. 7 For their property had become too great for them to live together, and the land where they sojourned could not sustain them because of their livestock. 8 So Esau lived in the hill country of Seir; Esau is Edom.

Esau became materially prosperous, but he abandoned the land of promise because his focus had shifted from God’s calling to earthly expansion. Jacob stayed where God wanted him to be. The question is not merely, “Where can I prosper?” but “Where does God want me to be?” Material prosperity is not always spiritual prosperity.

REVELATION 3:17 …you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked,

A person can possess everything materially and still be spiritually bankrupt.

3. POSITION.

GENESIS 36:15 These are the chiefs of the sons of Esau. The sons of Eliphaz, the firstborn of Esau, are chief Teman, chief Omar, chief Zepho, chief Kenaz, 16chief Korah, chief Gatam, chief Amalek. These are the chiefs descended from Eliphaz in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Adah. 17 These are the sons of Reuel, Esau’s son: chief Nahath, chief Zerah, chief Shammah, chief Mizzah. These are the chiefs descended from Reuel in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Esau’s wife Basemath. 18 These are the sons of Esau’s wife Oholibamah: chief Jeush, chief Jalam, chief Korah. These are the chiefs descended from Esau’s wife Oholibamah…

Esau’s descendants became chiefs and kings.

GENESIS 36:31 Now these are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom before any king reigned over the sons of Israel. 32 Bela the son of Beor reigned in Edom, and the name of his city was Dinhabah. 33 Then Bela died, and Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah became king in his place. 34 Then Jobab died, and Husham of the land of the Temanites became king in his place.

They loved authority, influence, and leadership positions. But in God’s kingdom, greatness is defined differently.

MARK 10:42 Calling them to Himself, Jesus *said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them. 43 But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; 44 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

Biblical leadership is not about status but service. Whether in ministry, business, or professional work, our calling is to reflect Christ through humble service so that people see the reality of Jesus in us.

4. POPULARITY.

Esau’s descendants became historically influential. Even Herod the Great and Herod Antipas were Edomites. Yet worldly fame does not guarantee eternal recognition before God.

DANIEL 2:21 And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding.

God remains sovereign over all history. Today, the kingdoms of Edom have vanished, but God continues preserving Israel’s history according to His covenant purposes.

MARK 8:36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?

A person may gain wealth, fame, influence, and success—and still lose everything eternally.

JOHN 8:47 He who is of God hears the words of God…

The true mark of belonging to God is not worldly success, but a heart that listens to His voice, submits to His Word, and delights in obeying Him. True success is becoming the person God wants us to be and accomplishing the work He entrusted to us for His glory.

PRAYER.

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for reminding us through Your Word that true success and true blessing are not measured by the standards of this world. Forgive us for the times we have focused more on outward appearance, comfort, possessions, and human achievement than on obedience to You.

Lord, guard our hearts from seeking temporary pleasure while neglecting eternal things. Teach us to value Your presence more than worldly success, and Your approval more than the praise of people.

We pray for our families. May our homes not only appear happy and successful outwardly, but truly be centered on You. Help us build families that honor Your Word, walk in truth, and reflect the character of Christ. Let our marriages, parenting, relationships, and decisions advance Your purposes and not merely satisfy our own desires.

Give us wisdom to follow where You lead, even when the path is difficult or unpopular. Renew our minds daily so that we may delight in Your will and remain faithful to the work You have entrusted to us.

May our lives bring glory to You, and may we pursue not temporary earthly gain, but eternal treasure in Christ.

In Jesus’ name we pray,

Amen.

The content of this article is adapted from the source below:

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