Joshua 24:4
And to Isaac I gave Jacob and Esau. And I gave Esau the hill country of Seir to possess, but Jacob and his children went down to Egypt.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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God explicitly gives Esau the land of Seir, not just as an afterthought, but to make it clear that Canaan was set apart for Jacob and his descendants alone. This highlights that the inheritance of God's promises isn't based on birthright, but on His sovereign choice.
Joshua is recounting God's faithfulness to Israel, starting from Abraham. He emphasizes that God chose Jacob over Esau and even gave Esau his own territory so Jacob and his descendants could inherit Canaan. However, he notes that Jacob and his family eventually had to move to Egypt, setting the stage for the great deliverance that would follow.
Ever wondered why God seems to bless some family lines differently? Joshua's recounting of Isaac's sons, Jacob and Esau, offers a profound glimpse into God's sovereign choices.
In this verse, Joshua highlights a crucial aspect of God's plan: the selection of Jacob over Esau. This wasn't about favoritism but about divine purpose.
A Strategic Decision
God gave Esau the hill country of Seir to possess. This was not a rejection of Esau but a strategic distribution. It ensured that Esau and his descendants would not interfere with Jacob and his lineage claiming the land of Canaan, which God had promised to Abraham and his descendants.
God's Unconditional Choice
While Esau received a portion, the primary inheritance—the land of promise and the covenant lineage—was set apart for Jacob. This illustrates a core biblical principle: God's choice is not based on human merit or birthright but on His sovereign will and purpose. As Paul later explains, 'Though the twins were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls— she was told, “The older will serve the younger.”' (Romans 9:11-12).
This act of giving Esau Mount Seir and directing Jacob's path elsewhere demonstrates God's foreknowledge and His ability to orchestrate events, even through perceived setbacks, to fulfill His promises.
Jacob's journey down to Egypt seems like a detour from God's promise. But even in this unexpected turn, God's hand was at work.
The verse mentions that 'Jacob and his children went down to Egypt.' This was not a planned move by Jacob but a necessity driven by famine, as noted by commentators like Benson and Gill. However, this descent into Egypt, a place of future bondage, served critical divine purposes.
Preservation Through Crisis
Understand the original words
yarash · Hebrew Verb
To take possession of, inherit, or occupy. In the Old Testament, it often refers to the covenantal gift of land bestowed by God upon His people or assigned to other nations under His providence.
This verse highlights God's sovereign hand in directing the destinies of nations and individuals, even before their birth, ensuring His promises would unfold according to His plan. The migration to Egypt, though resulting in hardship, was a divinely orchestrated step towards fulfilling His purposes for Israel.
c. 1800 BC
Abraham called from Ur
Abraham and his family, including his father Terah and nephew Nahor, were living in Ur of the Chaldeans, and likely worshipping other gods. God called Abraham to leave his homeland and journey to Canaan.
c. 1750 BC
Birth of Jacob and Esau
Isaac's sons, Jacob and Esau, were born. God's favor was upon Jacob, marking the beginning of the lineage through which the promises would continue, despite Esau's initial birthright.
c. 1720 BC
Esau settles the hill country of Seir
Esau and his descendants took possession of the mountainous region of Seir, settling there and establishing their own kingdom. This allowed the land of Canaan to be preserved for Jacob and his offspring.
c. 1700 BC— this verse
Jacob's family migrates to Egypt
Due to a severe famine in Canaan, Jacob and his entire household moved to Egypt. This migration set the stage for their future enslavement and God's powerful deliverance.
This passage directly foreshadows the divine decision regarding Jacob and Esau, highlighting that the older would serve the younger, setting the stage for their distinct destinies outlined in Joshua's recounting.
Genesis 36:7-8This passage explains the reason for Esau's possession of Mount Seir, clarifying that it was so he and his descendants would not interfere with Jacob and his lineage inheriting the land of Canaan.
Genesis 46:1-7This passage details Jacob and his family's descent into Egypt due to famine, providing the narrative context for the 'going down' that Joshua mentions as a key event in God's dealings with their ancestors.
Exodus 12:40-41This passage marks the end of the Israelites' sojourn in Egypt, showing the fulfillment of God's plan that began with their descent, ultimately leading to their redemption and the establishment of their inheritance.
calvinJoshua 24:1-14: "And Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and called for the elders of Israel, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers; and they presented themselves before God."
And Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and called for the elders of Israel, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers; and they presented themselves before God.
Congregavit itaque [194] Josue omnes tribus Israel in Sichem, vocavi…
bensonJoshua 24:4: "And I gave unto Isaac Jacob and Esau: and I gave unto Esau mount Seir, to possess it; but Jacob and his children went down into Egypt."
Joshua 24:4 . I gave unto Esau mount Seir — That he might leave Canaan entire to his brother Jacob and his posterity, Genesis 36:7-8 . But Jacob went down into Egypt — Compelled by a grievous famine, and because the time was not come when God intended to plant him and his posterity in Canaan. In Egypt they suffered a long and grievous bondage, fro…
God explicitly gives Esau the land of Seir, not just as an afterthought, but to make it clear that Canaan was set apart for Jacob and his descendants alone. This highlights that the inheritance of God's promises isn't based on birthright, but on His sovereign choice.
Joshua is recounting God's faithfulness to Israel, starting from Abraham. He emphasizes that God chose Jacob over Esau and even gave Esau his own territory so Jacob and his descendants could inherit Canaan. However, he notes that Jacob and his family eventually had to move to Egypt, setting the stage for the great deliverance that would follow.
Joshua is recounting God's faithfulness to Israel, starting from Abraham. He emphasizes that God chose Jacob over Esau and even gave Esau his own territory so Jacob and his descendants could inherit Canaan. However, he notes that Jacob and his family eventually had to move to Egypt, setting the stage for the great deliverance that would follow.
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Setting the Stage for Deliverance
The hardship they faced in Egypt was not an abandonment by God, but a crucible. This period of suffering and subsequent miraculous deliverance would powerfully demonstrate God's faithfulness and might to both Israel and the surrounding nations. As Wesley and Poole observe, God delivers His people from this bondage, and that deliverance becomes a testament to His power, paving the way for their future redemption and occupation of the promised land.
c. 1446 BC
The Exodus from Egypt
After 400 years of dwelling in Egypt, and a period of brutal slavery, God miraculously led the Israelites out of Egypt under the leadership of Moses and Aaron.
c. 1406 BC
Conquest of Canaan
Following their 40 years of wandering in the desert, the Israelites, led by Joshua, successfully conquered and began to settle the Promised Land of Canaan.
"And to Isaac I gave Jacob and Esau. And I gave Esau the hill country of Seir to possess, but Jacob and his children went down to Egypt." — God explicitly gives Esau the land of Seir, not just as an afterthought, but to make it clear that Canaan was set apart for Jacob and his descendants alone. This highlights that the inheritance of Go…
