John Calvin Commentary Genesis 36:6

"And Esau took his wives, and his sons, and his daughters, and all the souls of his house, and his cattle, and all his beasts, and all his possessions, which he had gather in the land of Canaan; and went into a land away from his brother Jacob." — Genesis 36:6 (ASV)

And went into the country from the face of his brother Jacob. Moses does not mean that Esau departed intentionally to make room for his brother; for he was so proud and ferocious that he never would have allowed himself to appear his brother’s inferior. But Moses, without regard to Esau’s intention, praises the secret providence of God, by which Esau was driven into exile, so that the possession of the land might remain free for Jacob alone.

Esau moved to Mount Seir, driven by the desire for present advantage, as is stated elsewhere. Providing for his brother’s welfare was the furthest thing from his mind; but God guided the blind man by his own hand, so that he would not occupy that place in the land which He had appointed for His own servant.

Thus it often happens that the wicked do good to the elect children of God, contrary to their own intention; and while their eager greed longs for present advantages, they promote the eternal salvation of those whose destruction they have sometimes desired. Let us, then, learn from this passage to see, with the eyes of faith, both in what are called accidental circumstances and in the evil desires of men, that secret providence of God, which directs all events to a result predetermined by Himself.

For when Esau went out, so that he might live more comfortably apart from his father’s family, he is said to have departed from the face of his brother, because the Lord had so determined it. It is stated indefinitely that he departed into the country; because, being uncertain about his plan, he sought a home in various places, until Mount Seir presented itself; and, as we say, he went out at random.