Theodicy Soteriology, Hermeneutics

SOTERIOLOGY : M. M. NINAN
Gen 33: 9 But Esau said, "I already have plenty, my brother. Keep what you have for
yourself."
When Jacob met Esau, he paid obeisance to him, as the chief of the tribe. As befitting the
elder brother Esau embraced him and kissed him. Notice that Jacob paid the full honor to
Esau as the head of the family by calling his "My Lord" and referring to himself as "your
servant".
Gen 33:3 He himself went on ahead and bowed down to the ground seven times as he
approached his brother. 4 But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms
around his neck and kissed him. And they wept.
They lived together until they were very rich and as the practice of the country the eldest went
up and lived separately. Gen 36: 6 Esau took his wives and sons and daughters and all the
members of his household, as well as his livestock and all his other animals and all the goods
he had acquired in Canaan, and moved to a land some distance from his brother Jacob.7
Their possessions were too great for them to remain together; the land where they were
staying could not support them both because of their livestock.8 So Esau (that is, Edom)
settled in the hill country of Seir.
So unlike what is assumed Esau never served Jacob in person. Where did Paul go wrong?
Paul did not, only the interpreters did. During the time of Judges there had been continuous
feud between the two tribes. But Edom controlled the entire region.
1 Chr.1 43 These were the kings who reigned in Edom before any Israelite king reigned: Bela
son of Beor, whose city was named Dinhabah….."
But during the period of Kings, Edomite glory diminished and Israel became a powerful
nation. There were periods when Edom served Israel.
Pharaoh and the hardening of Heart.
Paul then quotes Exodus 9:16 about the Lord raising up Pharaoh for the very purpose of
having God’s "name proclaimed throughout the whole earth." We should remember that
hardening of the heart of Pharaoh was not anything evil in any sense of the word. In fact if we
accept the law given to Israel and is applicable to any other nation, that was exactly what was
expected of Pharaoh. This was the law of Lord.
Lev. 25:44 "'Your male and female slaves are to come from the nations around you; from
them you may buy slaves 45 You may also buy some of the temporary residents living
among you and members of their clans born in your country, and they will become your
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