July 5, 2006

• I can hardly wait to see Isaac married, but before we get to his wedding – we have an interlude, Sarah’s death and burial. The gravesite that Abraham will purchase will be the only piece of property that he purchases and calls his own. (Of course, God gave him all the ground he walked on for a possession).

  
  

  Sarah lived to be 127 years, she died in Hebron (which means fellowship), the place is also called Kirjath Araba in the land of Canaan. Abraham mourns and weeps for Sarah. What a remarkable love, that after so many years together Abraham mourns. Did you want a bit of Bible trivia? Sarah is the only woman in the Bible whose age is given. Perhaps this is a biblical precedent about why women are so reticent to give out their ages. (She says jokingly).

  
  

  Sarah is used in the Bible as an example of a Godly woman. Isaiah 51:1-2 Listen to Me, you who follow after righteousness, you who seek the LORD: Look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the hole of the pit from which you were dug, look to Abraham your father, and to Sarah who bore you; For I called him alone and blessed him and increased him.

  
  

  1 Peter 3:6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.

  
  

  I have to tell you, that a woman who maintained her beauty in her 80′s and 90′s wandering in the wilderness must be someone special, and I suspect it is an inward beauty that comes from obedience and love of God.

  
  

  It was ok for Abraham to mourn, as it is ok for us to mourn when we lose a loved one. There is a hole in our lives, and it is right to mourn. But at the same time, we have the promise that in the future we will again see our loved ones in heaven. I am always so glad that God shows us through example that it is ok to have the feelings we have – it ultimately is what we do with them that matters. I used to condemn myself sometimes for feeling and hurting after I was saved, and it was wrong thinking to condemn myself. Oh, we should not dwell in the valley of sorrows, but we are not without feeling, and at times feelings are appropriate.

  
  

  Abraham goes out to the sons of Heth (Heth means terror – and it is these sons that will become the Hittites, one of a number of tribes that will cause grief to the nation Israel). Abraham asks them for a piece of property for a burial place. The sons of Heth offer him any of the choice burial places, but Abraham asks to meet with Ephron, the son of Zohar. He bows himself to the people of the land (very polite, the way we should be, even with those who are not saved). And Abraham asks for the cave of Machpelah – which means double or portion – it is a cave with double “doors”, a way in and a way out (could this mean that he realizes that death is not final). Abraham insists on paying the full price of the property.

  
  

  EPHRON means fawn like – and Ephron offers to give Abraham the field, but Abraham insists on paying. Quickly in verse 15 Ephron says the land is worth 400 shekels of silver. Usually in those days most prices were negotiated, so 400 was probably more than the land was worth, Ephron figuring that Abraham would bargain the price down. Abraham pays the full amount, no bargaining. In a way Ephron represents the world and it’s ways, and Abraham, represents God’s ways. Abraham did not take Ephron’s gift, for he chose to honor God’s ways instead.

  
  

  Abraham buries Sarah, and later we will see that He will be buried there, and Isaac, Rebecca, Jacob and Leah also will be buried there.

  
  

  Well, tomorrow I will get to talk about a wedding, a happy occasion after the sadness of Sarah’s death. But what is interesting is that Abraham will marry another and have other children. God rejuvenated Abraham completely.

  
  

  Hoping you have a blessed day.
  Heather

  • 12:11 am
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