The
23rd chapter of Genesis begins, “Sarah
lived to be one hundred and twenty-seven years old“.
Sarah is the only women in the Bible whose age at death is given,
this is an indication of how important she is. In fact, she is
praised in both the Old (Isaiah 51:1-2) and New Testament (1 Peter
3:3-6) as an example of a godly women. In contrast, the last
recorded words of Mary are simply, “Do
whatever He tells you“.
Next we read, “Abraham
went to mourn for Sarah and weep over her“.
Mourning the loss of a loved one is right and healthy, though as
believers, we have the hope of eternal life and don’t “grieve
like the rest of men”
(! Thessalonians 4:13). We will miss them, but we believe they have
gone to begin their new life in the presence of Our Savior.
Next,
Abraham decided to buy some land in which to bury Sarah. As wealthy
as he was, until now he has not owned any! He says to the Hittites,
“I
am an alien and a stranger among you. Sell me some land for a burial
site here so I can bury my dead“.
The people tell Abraham he may bury Sarah anywhere he likes, “none
of us will refuse you“.
But Abraham insist on purchasing the land. He meets with Ephron the
Hittite who first offers to give Abraham the land. But again,
Abraham insists on paying full price, he pays the first offer by
Ephron and does not haggle. He pays for the land, and only then does
he bury Sarah. Abraham gives us an example of how to conduct
business in the world. Abraham is courteous, prudent and fair. He
takes nothing without paying for it. In 1 Thessalonians 4:11 the
apostle Paul urges, “work
with your hands just as we told you, so that your daily life may be
win the respect of outsiders and so you will not be dependant on
anybody“.
We need to be honorable in our business as an example of the
righteousness of God.
The
text emphasizes the land was purchased and deeded over to Abraham,
“So
the field and the cave in it were deeded to Abraham by the Hittites
as a burial site“.
Abraham and Sarah were both buried here, as were Isaac and Rebekah
and Jacob and Leah. Clearly, there is a claim that can be made that
the Jewish people have the right to the land that is now Israel.
May we develop a reputation among our peers that reflects God’s mercy
and righteousness.