Do you remember how Jacob swindled his brother Esau out of his blessing and birthright? You may well have felt bad for Esau who ends up somewhat ripped off as a result. But this is not how things turn out. Here in Genesis 36, a chapter we might otherwise skim over without a second thought, we see how blessing works. When Esau forgave his brother and was reconciled with him (rather than attack him in anger), the covenant promise was again activated: “I will bless those who bless you” (Genesis 12:3). To be blessed is to become a blessing to others. If you bless me, you make me a blessing to you and to others. By becoming a blessing rather than a curse to Jacob, Esau caused Jacob to fulfil the Abrahamic calling to become a blessing. So, that blessing came straight back to Esau. Jacob previously got his brothers blessing by deceit. Now Esau got his blessing back by forgiveness. Both Jacob and Esau are now blessed so abundantly that they must spread out to make room for all the blessing (36:7). Esau becomes a great nation in fulfilment of the promise to Abraham (Cf. Genesis 12:2 & 36:31ff). That is the way God’s blessing works. Blessing for one means blessing for everyone. No one gets ripped off here. Have you been blessed? That blessing is not just for you. It is an infectious blessing that wants to grow out of you into those around you. It cannot be contained in one life. Be blessed, but most of all be a blessing.
Think about how you have been blessed and also where you can be a blessing.
Read Genesis 36
