ABRAHAM PURCHASED A BURIAL SITE

 Genesis 23:1-20 / Keywords 23:4

ABRAHAM PURCHASED A BURIAL SITE

 

1. Abraham purchased a burial site (1-4)

At age 127, Sarah died, and Abraham mourned for her. He dealt with the practical

matter of where to bury her. He could have taken her back to where their relatives

lived, or even to Ur. But by faith, he lived as a foreigner in the mission field and

purchased a burial site to bury his dead. It was a decision to claim the promised

land as his homeland and to remain there permanently.

 

2. The cave of Machpelah (5-20)

The Hittites recognized Abraham as a great prince among them and offered

him the choicest of tombs. But Abraham already had in mind a cave at the end

of a field. The owner Ephron wanted to freely give him the cave and the field, but

Abraham insisted on paying for it, and the property was deeded to him. There he

buried his wife Sarah. After over six decades in the promised land, Abraham only

owned a field and cave as a burial site. But he believed God’s promise that one

day his descendants would possess all the land.

 

Prayer Lord, help me to live by faith from first to last and trust your promises.

One Word Abraham possessed only a burial site