We live in a world that rewards speed.
The startup that grows the fastest gets the headlines. The influencer who gains followers overnight gets noticed. The company that expands the quickest is celebrated. We assume that faster means better and that visible success means we’re on the right path.
That’s why a seemingly small detail in Genesis 36 is so striking. After listing the descendants of Esau, Moses writes in Genesis 36:31-39:
31 These were the kings who reigned in Edom before any Israelite king reigned:
Genesis 36:31-39, New International Version
32 Bela son of Beor became king of Edom. His city was named Dinhabah.
33 When Bela died, Jobab son of Zerah from Bozrah succeeded him as king.
34 When Jobab died, Husham from the land of the Temanites succeeded him as king.
35 When Husham died, Hadad son of Bedad, who defeated Midian in the country of Moab, succeeded him as king. His city was named Avith.
36 When Hadad died, Samlah from Masrekah succeeded him as king.
37 When Samlah died, Shaul from Rehoboth on the river succeeded him as king.
38 When Shaul died, Baal-Hanan son of Akbor succeeded him as king.
39 When Baal-Hanan son of Akbor died, Hadad succeeded him as king. His city was named Pau, and his wife’s name was Mehetabel daughter of Matred, the daughter of Me-Zahab.
At first glance, it feels like a random historical note. But it reveals something important. Edom had kings. Israel didn’t.
Edom had political power, established leadership, and a functioning kingdom. Israel had promises.
If you had been looking at both nations in that moment, Edom would have appeared to be ahead. They looked stronger, more organized, and more successful. Israel’s story seemed slower and less impressive.
But the Lord wasn’t behind.
God had promised Abraham that kings would come from his descendants (Genesis 17:6). He intended for Israel to have kings. He simply wasn’t in a hurry.
The world often measures success by what arrives first. God measures success by what fulfills His purposes.
Edom got kings first. Israel eventually received a kingdom that would produce David. Through David would come the Messiah. Through the Messiah, salvation would come to the world.
One story developed quickly. The other developed according to God’s timing. That’s often how God works in our lives.
We see other people getting opportunities first. Their careers advance faster. Their ministries grow quicker. Their families seem more settled. Their success is more visible. Meanwhile, we’re still waiting.
Waiting for answers.
Waiting for direction.
Waiting for God to fulfill promises that seem delayed.
In those moments, it’s easy to assume our Lord has forgotten us or that we’re somehow falling behind.
Genesis 36:31-39 reminds us that being first is not the same as being favored.
The Lord’s timing often looks slower than the world’s, but His way is always better. The question isn’t whether the Lord’s plan is moving quickly enough for us. The question is whether we’re willing to trust Him while it unfolds.
Think of one area of your life where you’ve been tempted to compare your timeline to someone else’s. Instead of focusing on what they have that you don’t, spend time thanking the Lord for one way He is currently working in your life. Comparison breeds impatience, but gratitude strengthens trust. Comparison robs joy, but thankfulness strengthens faith.
You may not be where you hoped to be yet, but His delays are not His absence. He is still writing the story, and His timing is always worth trusting.
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