He starts with a verse from Ezekiel, "Of oaks from Bashan they crafted your oars; [your rudder they made of ivory inlaid in boxwood from the isles of the Kitites]" (Ezekiel 27:6). What's the connection? Rabbi Yitzḥak sees idolaters – and in this context, he's focusing on Edom – as being like a ship. : a ship is built from different pieces, sourced from different places. The mast comes from one forest, the anchors from another. Similarly, says Rabbi Yitzḥak, the Edomites kept pulling their kings from all over the map. "[Hadad died, and] Samla of Masreka [reigned in his stead]" (Genesis 36:36). "[Samla died,] and Shaul of Reḥovot of the river [reigned in his stead]" (Genesis 36:37). The idea is that they lacked a cohesive, stable leadership. They'd just grab whoever was available, wherever they happened to be. This reminds us that true strength comes from unity and a shared foundation, not just a collection of disparate parts.
And it wasn't just about the location of the kings. It was about the fleeting nature of their power. Rabbi Yitzḥak connects this to a proverb: "An estate seized hastily at the start will not be blessed at its end" (Proverbs 20:21). This, he argues, is Edom. They got their kings before Israel did. They had that initial head start, that "estate seized hastily." But, according to Bereshit Rabbah, that wasn't a sign of lasting success.
The end of that proverb, "will not be blessed at its end," finds its echo in the prophecy of Obadiah: "saviors will ascend Mount Zion [to judge the mountain of Esau]" (Obadiah 1:21). Edom, often associated with Esau, Jacob's brother, is ultimately destined for judgment. The early advantage, the hastily seized power, doesn't guarantee a positive outcome.
So, what’s the takeaway here? It's a reminder that appearances can be deceiving. A quick start doesn't always equal a successful finish. True, lasting strength comes from a solid foundation, shared values, and, perhaps most importantly, a sense of unity. Edom’s kings, plucked from different places, represent a fragmented and ultimately unsustainable approach to power. It’s a powerful lesson, even thousands of years later.