Esau and the Edomites is an often overlooked topic in many churches. The question arises, if evil is associated with Esau, when did this hatred end and when did God change his mind to love Esau as much as Jacob? The Bible provides insight into this subject.

Isaac prayed to the Lord for his wife who was barren and the Lord answered his prayers. Rebecca, his wife, gave birth to twins who struggled in her womb before birth. The Lord told Rebecca that two nations were in her womb and one would be stronger than the other, with the greater serving the younger.

According to the Book of Jasher, Esau was deceitful from birth while Jacob was perfect and wise. Isaac loved Esau for eating his venison, but Rebecca loved Jacob. In Genesis 25, Jacob offered Esau bread and lentil pottage, and when Esau ate it, he despised his birthright. Jesus mentions that Esau fled from Nimrod due to exhaustion from fighting and fleeing.

Esau was 40 years old when he married Judith, the daughter of Bride. Isaac blessed Jacob and charged him not to take a wife from the daughters of Canaan. Esau cried bitterly when he saw Isaac bless Jacob and send him away. The Bible mentions a conflict between Isaac and Jacob in Genesis 33.

In Exodus 17, there was a war between Israel and Al-Malik, descendants of Esau. The Lord told Moses to write a memorial of this in a book and to declare it to Joshua. The Edomites did not accommodate the Israelites, leading God to hold it against them for generations.

In 2 Samuel 8, David had a close companion who turned on him, typical of Edomites who deceitfully gained high positions next to the king. In John 13:18, Jesus spoke of his betrayal and death, referring to Judas Iscariot. Jesus used the same term as David when referring to his betrayal.

In Matthew 21:38, Jesus gives the parable of the householder concerning the vineyard of the Lord. The husband sent his son, who the husbandmen wanted to kill to seize his inheritance. In John 8:38, Jesus argued with the Pharisees and Sadducees, saying they sought to kill him because his word had no place in them. Jesus revealed they were of their father the Devil.

When Jesus was born, Herod, a descendant of the Herodium who had converted to Judaism, was on the throne and tried to kill Jesus. When Jesus confronted the Herodian scribes and Pharisees, he was dealing with Edomites who betrayed him. In Psalm 83, Edomites are described as warmongers and God has declared war against them. They are Confederate against the tabernacles of Edam and the Israelites of Moab, Gebal, Ammon, and Philistines.