Esau Gets a Chapter in the Bible. But, why?

Esau the rejected one. Esau the deceived one. Esau the one hated by God gets a chapter in the book of Genesis. The question is, why?

Esau’s story plays a tiny part in Israel’s. He gave away his inheritance for his brother’s bowl of stew. He was the recipient of zero blessings from his dad because of his brother’s bowl of stew. He had a chance to cook his brother’s stew when they met in the land of Seir. But he didn't.

Esau is a dark character. He married women whom he knew would displease his parents. He became the nation that the angel told Rebekah he would. His family is described in this often skipped or skimmed chapter of Genesis. Esau loses here too because his chapter comes just before the cool story of Joseph begins in chapter thirty seven.

But why does he get a chapter anyway? The account was being recorded by Moses to prepare the Children of Israel for their entry into the Promised Land. There would be many enemies and some distant relatives. They needed to be aware of who they were going to be facing. This was Esau’s / Edom’s side of the story.

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