Verse for the Day, 28 March 2014.

Genesis 23:19-20  After this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah east of Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan.  (20)  The field and the cave that is in it were made over to Abraham as property for a burying place by the Hittites.

 

In Genesis 23 we find a mixture of grief and the further fulfilment of God’s promise and covenant with Abraham. There is grief for Abraham in the death of Sarah, his wife and companion. They had, had quite a marriage and life together, both witnessing the mysterious but wonderful ways of God. God had been patient and merciful to them on so many occasions and even in the midst of Sarah’s death God shows yet more goodness, faithfulness and grace to Abraham. Abraham had been living in the land of Canaan for over 50 years, yet he did not own a single patch of land. He was no longer childless, but he was still landless, that part of God’s promised was yet to show any signs of fulfilment. This all changed as Abraham, through the death of Sarah, is able to buy a piece of land. It may not have been a vast area, but it was land and it was Abraham’s. After so many years Abraham is seeing God’s plan unfold and come to fruition, first the birth of Isaac and now a small, but significant piece of land.

 

The Biblical account of Abraham and Sarah serves to both encourage and challenge us. We can be encouraged because we learn of God’s constant faithfulness, mercy, patience and protection of Abraham and Sarah, even when they tested God through their foolish and sinful decisions. We are further encouraged by the fact that even when we do make the wrong and sinful choices, it does not hinder God’s sovereign will and plan. We are also challenged, challenged to learn from Abraham and Sarah’s mistakes, and challenged to demonstrate the faith and obedience that they both at times displayed. Abraham and Sarah were by no means perfect, but they serve as examples to us as to what God can accomplish through two people. We therefore would be wise to learn what we can from their lives and seek to display the positive virtues, whilst guarding against foolishness and self-reliance.

 

Heavenly Father, we thank You that You are the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. We have the joy of knowing and worshiping the same God that Abraham and Sarah knew. We thank You that as You showed Yourself to be faithful, good, gracious, merciful and patient with them, so You shall be the same to us. Thank You for the truths and lessons that have been preserved for us in Scripture, may we be wise to learn from them and use the Scriptures to aid us in a closer walk with You. Amen.