The word that sticks out to me today from this chapter is respect. Abraham wanted land and a burial place for his wife Sarah. The Hittites were so very willing to give him the land which I'm sure it's because of the respect they had for him. Not sure why Abraham insisted on paying for it. Perhaps it was cuz of his respect for them. Regardless it teaches me that I need to treat other people with love and respect, and in return people will treat me with love and respect. My motivation to love and respect others should not be so I am loved and respected back. I should do it because it's the right thing to do regardless of how they respond back. When all is said and done I need to love and respect others.
Daily Bible Challenge: Day 23-Genesis 23
We read in this chapter about Sarah’s death and where Abraham buries her when he gets the land for a burying place from the Hittites. I think it’s always wise to show love and respect as Pastor Blair has shared about today. Thanks to Jeanine for sharing about Jesus being the fulfillment of the Lamb promised in chapter 22 while God provided a ram to Abraham at just the right moment. God’s Word is full of so much treasure! The song that I chose for today is another one that actually goes with the reading from yesterday. I hope that you enjoy this music video.
Drop Your Knife and Hurry, Man
https://youtu.be/uMzW68MM3b0
v1 – Sarah is the only woman in the entire Bible whose age is revealed. We don’t know why but it might be a complement to her. After all, she was so beautiful in her eighties that Abimelech wanted her for his harem.
v2 – Sarah died in Hebron (which means fellowship). How awesome is that? Sarah died in fellowship! That’s the way I want to go!
The bargaining at the end of the chapter is still an accepted practice today. Abraham would have insulted Ephron if he had said he would accept the land for nothing and the offer would probably have been withdrawn. The field may have only been worth 100 shekels but Abraham wasn’t going to squabble. He paid the asking price. And even though he knew God had promised this land to his descendants, Abraham recognized this world was not his home when he said he was a sojourner – just like us!
Proverbs 11:1
A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight.
first off Abraham must have been sad about losing his wife, and the last thing he wanted was to not give a fair wage for the burial land. We know we cant money with us. PB told us a story about when he was challenged to give up his letterman jacket to a homeless man….. i remembered that story and a couple weeks back I saw a man walking in the cold with no jacket gloves or hat, I called him over to my house and gave him those items, he was very grateful. I know I was clothing one of Gods children.
This passage makes me think of how I am always trying to find a bargain and a good deal, a coupon or a discount. Often when I do this I either spend money I didn’t need to spend (just doing it because I have the coupon) or I get something I won’t actually use or don’t actually need. Abraham wasn’t looking for a deal when it came to Sarah’s grave. He wanted to pay what it is was worth and honor her. Are there times in my life I choose the “deal” or the bargain instead of the honorable thing? Am I too busy trying to find the best bargain and focusing on a good deal and missing the value of what something is worth? I look up to Abraham for honoring Sarah and paying the price for her burial site.
I love you guys! I gain so much insight and am blown away by your personal testimonies. And Brian, thanks for sharing your giving story to the man who had nothing.