Genesis 23

by DAVID SMITH | Category: General | Jul 1963

Thirteen chapters recount the life and experiences of Abraham. Genesis 23 commences with the death of Sarah in Kiriath-arba or Hebron, a name meaning "fellowship". Happy place indeed from which to leave the scenes of time for the place of fellowship with God. Having lived to be one hundred and twenty-seven years old, Sarah had spent about sixty years sojourning with her husband in the land of Canaan, and showing throughout many experiences devotion, faith and subjection which God hath put on record as an example to those women whose desire is to do well (1 Peter 3).

In touching upon the significant lessons contained in this chapter, and as we view the scene of bereavement, our thoughts turn to the judgement that has been passed upon all, bringing sorrow to the hearts of men and women who themselves could never overcome this great and last enemy-death, which shall be abolished under the authority of Christ (1 Corinthians 15.26). Even now the believer may say, "Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ".

Abraham had not a burying place in the land of Canaan, in which, as he said, to bury his dead out of his sight, unlike so many of the present evil age who burn the bodies of their dead to ashes: but nothing that men do with the body can cancel the word of God that "it is appointed unto men once to die, and after this cometh judgement" (Hebrews 9.27); "Each one of us shall give account of himself to God" (Romans 14.12); God will raise the dead, both just and unjust (Acts 24.15), whether the human body is consumed by fire or returns to dust in the earth.

That the body of man at death should return to the ground from whence it was taken is clearly shown in the divine sentence following the fall of Adam in the garden of Eden.

"In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return" (Genesis 3.19).

Burning human bodies has been the pagan practice of certain peoples and it is sad indeed if a saint of God, whose body was bought with a price and indwelt with the Holy Spirit, should will his earthly remains to be consumed by the flames of cremation, for in doing so he acts without the authority of Scripture, and contrary to the mind of God, whose example in burying Moses in the land of Moab is sufficient for our guidance (Deuteronomy 34.6).

Opening his appeal to the children of Heth for the possession of a buryingplace among them, Abraham explained his position in words of great spiritual import when he said, "I am a stranger and a sojourner with you" (verse 4).

Having come into the land of Canaan, which the LORD had promised as an everlasting possession to Abraham and his seed, the patriarch had sojourned there by faith as in a land not his own, confessing himself to be a stranger and a pilgrim on the earth, and plainly declaring that he sought a heavenly country prepared of God (Hebrews 11.8-16).

Good indeed, when believers see themselves as strangers and sojourners in the world through which they pass (1 Peter 2. 11); and as citizens of heaven (Philippians 3.20) and as chosen out of the world (John 15.19) they are warned in the Scriptures of the danger of courting the world's friendship (James 4. 4), and of minding earthly things (Philippians 3.19).

The present is a materialistic age, and surely it is most essential that every believer should give thought to the word of God which says,

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh. and the lust of the eyes, and the vainglory of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the wilt of God abideth for ever" (1 John 2.15-17).

The compelling power of popular and organised interests has so increased in recent years that today it confronts the people of God as a monstrous enemy, appearing in many forms and with particular design to capture the lives of the young. For worldliness in its every guise is something we all do well to eschew. We cannot afford to meddle with anything that would draw our affection and interest away from the Lord Jesus Christ. Are we the friends of God or is our friendship with the world?

Although Abraham had no possession in the land of Canaan, his was something more precious, namely, to he a testimony for God in the place where he sojourned. For great indeed was the commendation of the children of Heth, "Thou art a prince of God among us" (verse 6, R.V.M.). That the people of the land should regard Abraham in this way was a worthy tribute to his life and separation. May our lives also merit such approval!

It was with great humility that he continued with his appeal, bowing himself to the people of the land "even to the children of Heth" (verse 7). Heth was the son of Canaan (Genesis 10.15) whom Noah had cursed on awaking from his wine. Abraham might have exalted himself in the presence of such, but on the contrary, his behaviour was that of meekness and subjection, submitting himself to the mind of those who sat at the gate (verse 8). Here is instruction for us.

For four hundred shekels of silver Abraham purchased the field of Ephron, and there in the cave of Machpelah he buried his wife, Sarah. Thirty-eight years later Isaac and Ishmael laid Abraham to rest in the place that was his only possession in the land of his sojourn, and so ended an exemplary life of separation and service to God.

DAVID SMITH | Jul 1963
General