Text: Genesis 23
Abraham is in the land of Canaan for the past sixty two years. But he did not yet receive or bought any piece of land there. He is still a pilgrim in the Promised Land. Now he has a son who turned twenty seven years. His was not a “small home sweet home”. He had lot of domestic animals which was a symbol of his wealth, lot of servants and maids and there families. They were living as a community but did not possess their own piece of land.
I think it might be good for us to imagine a little more on Abraham’s lifestyle. We today are not able to live like that due to the societal reasons. But definitely, if I am crazy to have my own possessions here in this world for my own benefit or crazy to buy lands and goods for me and my family, or even for my generations, Abraham has something to tell me and I need to learn something from Abraham!.
But now Abraham faced a problem. His wife Sarai, Died. He needs a piece of land to bury her. Though he could bury her in ‘no man’s land’ or could accept the offer to take any burial grounds, he did want a piece of property for himself. This is the first time in the last sixty two years he plans to buy a piece of land. And the reason was genuine.
Now let me shift the focus on to this land deal. Sarai died in Kirijath Arba (Hebron). He is in the territory of the Hittites. Abraham spoke to the Sons of Heth, saying, “I am a foreigner and a visitor among you. Give me a property for a burial place among you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight” (v. 4). His request was sincere and genuine. But there was no necessity for the Hittites to give attention to Abraham’s plea. Why should they give their land for this foreigner? But the power of Abraham’s testimony was such that they not only were willing to give any amount of land but also, to give freely! They considered it as an honor to give their land to Abraham. For, they saw him as ‘a mighty prince’ among them (v. 6).
If you would notice, they first offered him the choicest of their burial places (v. 6). But Abraham did not want that. For though he is living among them, he is different from them as to his spiritual identity is concerned. So he refrained from using their burial places. Then he asked for the cave of Machpelah ( v. 7-9). To this, had not his testimony among them was powerful; they could grow suspicious of Abraham’s intention. They could see him as one who is forcing his entry into their territory using this dead body! But they never had any doubt of Abraham’s intention because they knew him well by this time. That is the power of good testimony.
When Ephron, the owner of the cave heard this, he was doubly willing to give not only the cave, but the land where the cave is and that too free of cost! (v. 10-11).The reason: The power of Abraham’s good testimony. There Abraham had a chance- to take it freely! “Any way the whole land is promised to me by God free of cost. So, why should’nt I see it as a work of God? It must be God’s doing for me!” Could he think so? Probable. I suppose at least some of us would consider it as a work of God when someone offers a land free for a church building or for God’s work! “After all the whole world is my God’s; so why don’t I take it when it is offered free?” will be our reasoning. Abraham had more reasons to think so. But even in this land deal, Abraham maintained his good testimony by not accepting the land that was offered to him freely. He wanted his testimony to remain powerful.
Thus the land deal was done. Abraham weighed out four hundred shekels of silver to Ephron and bought the land as property for burial place. This is the only property the descendents of Abraham had as their own till God later brought them to the Promised Land as a nation. A ground for burial! Is it not interesting that God let them have only a burial ground for His chosen people in the Promised Land?!
This is something for us to notice. What we actually need is just a burial ground in this world and nothing more than that. But how much of our time energy and effort is spent for possessing much more than the basic things we might need in life?! Do we need a rethinking? Good to do that. Let us not forget that what we need is a good testimony, a powerful testimony and not much possession as we live in this world as God’s people. Let’s recall the statements of the wise men, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, And loving favor rather than silver and gold” ( Prov.22:1); And “A good name is better than precious oil” (Ec 7:1).
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GLEANINGS FROM GENESIS is an attempt to bring to life lessons based on the historical events narrated in the Book of Genesis. Joji George Abraham would post this write up on every weekend as the Lord leads. Thank you for reading this. You may share this with others as the Lord leads you. He invites response as well. Joji George Abraham serves the Lord as a faculty & Dean of Students at Asian Christian Academy, India. He lives in the Seminary Campus with his wife and three children.