Genesis 23 -- Sarah's Death

Sarah was 127 years old when she died.  That made Isaac 37 when his mom passed away.  At 90, she didn’t have a son.  What a wonderful miracle God wrought in her life those last 37 years!

My commentary focused on Abraham’s actions after her death.  Even though God had given Abraham all of the Promised Land, legally he owned none of it.  He had to bargain at the city gate for a burial plot.  He asked only to buy a cave, but the owner would only sell it with the field adjoining it.  In faith, Abraham promised to pay the full price before one was quoted, and then the owner requested a price of ten pounds of silver.  Abraham agreed, and this became the only land he legally owned in the Promised Land.

He could have taken Sarah’s body back to Ur for burial, but he believed God.  The Promised Land was to be his home.  He’d also come to understand about resurrection, and it was therefore important to him to be buried in the Promised Land.  My commentary concluded the chapter, saying, “We will take nothing with us; we will leave it all behind.  But, if we are investing in things eternal, we can send it ahead (Matt. 6:19-34).  If we live by faith, then we can die by faith, and when you die by faith, you have a wonderful future.”

Father, help me to invest for eternity, sending ahead what You’ve blessed me with already.  Help my boys to see the future You have planned for them, and to become a part of that future today.