The Book of Genesis
Part 40
Faith, Hope, And Sorrow — Genesis 23.
A Virtuous Wife
From the records in Genesis, we know that Sarah was a woman of like weaknesses as others. She arranged with her husband to deceive, she laughed in unbelief at the promise of God, she connived with Abraham in the matter of Ishmael, and she treated Hagar with unkindness; nevertheless, there was a noble bearing about Sarah; her virtues surpassed her failures.
The commendation of the Holy Spirit indicates that she was an exemplary holy woman: “For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement” (1 Pet. 3:6-7).
The life of Sarah is a proof of the proverb, “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised” (Prov. 31:30).
A Sad Bereavement
It appears Abraham had been away when Sarah died. There is nothing reported of the fatal illness that removed her from his side. As soon as the news reached him, he went up to Hebron to mourn. His heart must have been heavy as he realized that the tie which had bound them so happily was broken.
Abraham did not need professional mourners of whom we read that they make a tumult, and weep and wail greatly (Mark 5:38-40), Abraham’s grief was sincere and his tears real.
A Stately Burial
Abraham never had possessed ground in Canaan; he was a stranger and a pilgrim. He now makes his first purchase of property, a cave that was to be a family tomb.
The transaction between Abraham and the sons of Heth teaches lessons:
The reality of death: We read, “Abraham stood up from before his dead,” and said, “Give me a possession of a burying place with you, that I may bury my dead.” Death is a crisis to be faced realisticly. Thank God! For the believer in Christ death is a sleep (1 Cor. 15:6; 1. Thess. 4:13-14). Notwithstanding, for those who remain, there should be the facing of the circumstance witha realization of mingled hope and sorrow.
The finality of death: There is reason to believe from accounts that Sarah was a beautiful woman, an attractive personality. Her loveliness became a snare to Abraham and herself. Death ends all that is earthly. Abraham says, “Give me a possession of a burying place with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.” The silent form was no longer beautiful; the spirit and personality were no longer there. The remains would corrupt, for death is final.
Competent arrangements: Oriental customs seem quite laborious. The empty palavers would be difficult for us to endure under such circumstances. Abraham adhered to the etiquette of the land, and probably paid two or three times what the property was worth (Dr. Thompson). Nevertheless, there was esteem for Abraham and a seeming sympathy with him in his bereavement.
After arrangements were completed, he personally performed the last humane acts for his beloved Sarah, “Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave.”
Abraham never had purchased land on which to sow seed and reap, but in this cave, he sowed a precious seed that will reappear in a glorious harvest: sown in corruption to be raised in incorruption; sown in dishonour to be raised in glory; sown in weakness to be raised in power.
Hope
While it is true that Abraham was a stranger in the land and never possessed any of it, the promise of God to him was explicit, “All the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever” (Gen. 13:15). A small portion of what would be possessed by his descendants, he purchased, and in it he buried Sarah, and there would be buried himself. His act was in realization of the promise. In hope, he secured a part of that which would be his full possession in his seed.
We know that Abraham believed in the God of resurrection (Rom. 4:17), in immortality, and in a glorious destiny (Heb. 11:9-10). His tent in Canaan and the cave in Machpelah alike declared that he was heir of the promises, and that he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Even in his grief, his heart was full of hope, and no doubt the God of Hope filled him with joy and peace in believing (Rom. 15:13).