Genesis 23
Pastor Mark Hudson
Genesis 23 is just a great story. There is also a spiritual significance that Abraham buries his wife in the promised land before the land was in his possession. We begin with the death of 127 year-old Sarah. After a period of mourning, Abraham wants to buy a place to bury Sarah. He claims he is a poor man (so please offer a low price) with no standing and makes his simple request. The Hittites counter that he is “a prince of God among us” (so raise the price). In fact, you can afford the best tomb. We would all be willing to “give” you what you need they respond.
Abraham already knew where he wanted to bury Sarah and knew the owner. He asks the Hittites to approach Ephron on his behalf. He only asks for the cave but offers to pay full price (he has given up his poor man status). Ephron hears this and, in the setting where agreements are made (at the gate of the city with the Hittite elders), offers not just the cave but the field. So Ephron has added the field (and therefore increased the price) and offers to give the field and cave to Abraham.
Abraham agrees to buy the field but not be given the field. So the negotiations are progressing. Ephron lays out the price he has established with all kinds of gestures of goodwill and friendship. Abraham hears the amount and pays the 400 shekels of silver “according to the weights current among the merchants” so the deal is by the book.
Yet, there is more. Abraham is an example of respect and consideration of the pagan Hittites. He is a man of considerable wealth and prestige. He seems to have gained the respect of the Hittites. Yet, he has no place to buy his dear wife. For all the promises of God, for all his wealth, for all his respect, he has to go begging for a burial spot for Sarah. He calls himself a sojourner which will emerge as a significant theme in both Old and New Testaments.
Abraham’s treatment of the pagans here is a long way from chapter 20. In 20, Abimelech rebukes Abraham for his ill-advised lying. Now in chapter 23, Abraham is respectful and yet Abraham wants nothing given to him from these pagans. He will purchase the land fairly, openly and paying full price. He is bending over backward to insure this is a legitimate purchase. Abraham does all this because he is still a soujourner.
We must never forget that we do not belong on this beautiful planet that God created. With all the beauty of twinkling stars in a dark night, the bright sunrise on a summer day, or the sparkle of a clear lake in the early morning, this is still not our home. We are made for God. We are made to be with Him, in His presence. So now, we are just passing through. Yet, this is where we serve Him so we are called to enhance this world, passing as it may be. We are called to love and serve those around us who do not know God. We are to be busy improving cities, restoring relationships, caring for the poor, and investing in this life. Abraham is a man living close to the land but shows that he is spiritually minded and motivated by God’s promise to him.
We know that God works in small ways. Here is Abraham promised to be the Father of many and possess this land. But now he is only passing through. These are grand and glorious promises. But Abraham does not own an inch of this land. At the end of this chapter, the mother of this new nation is buried in the promised land in land Abraham owns; a harbinger of things to come and a small expression of God’s mercy and faithfulness. Never despises God’s mercies to you in a job, a friend, insurance, a church family, a kind word. God is a big God with huge plans but He is attentive to the smallest details to provide for you and bless you.
When Abraham first hears God’s promise, did he imagine that his family would be filled with children and later many grandchildren living in the promised land? Did he think he would be able to see and touch what God promised in Genesis 12? The fulfillment is taking a long time from our perspective. Yet Abraham is faithful and keeps doing the next thing.
This is the same with all Christians. God promises such blessings for His people yet some believers suffer persecution. But God is a rewarded of those who seek him. God may not bless His people with money and an easy life but He will reward His people with eternal and unending joy. What bliss they will experience in heaven as they will be in the presence of the King.
Dear heavenly Father, all of Your promises will come true in Your time and in Your way. We are easily discourage and often lack the child-like faith You desire us to have. For this and many other transgressions, we ask that, in the name of Christ, You would forgive our many sins. Help us to read these passages with hope seeing in these fallen men and women reason to trust You with every part of our lives. All You do is good. May You find us resting, rejoicing, and revived. In Christ’s name. Amen.