Prophecy Fulfilled. Comfort Provided.

 

Prophecy Fulfilled. Comfort Provided.

Genesis 24: ⁶² Now Isaac came from the way of Beer Lahai Roi, for he dwelt in the South. ⁶³ And Isaac went out to meditate in the field in the evening; and he lifted his eyes and looked, and there, the camels were coming. ⁶⁴ Then Rebekah lifted her eyes, and when she saw Isaac she dismounted from her camel; ⁶⁵ for she had said to the servant, “Who is this man walking in the field to meet us?”

 

The servant said, “It is my master.” So she took a veil and covered herself.

⁶⁶ And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done. ⁶⁷ Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent; and he took Rebekah and she became his wife, and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.

 

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Up to this point Isaac had not been mentioned much by himself. He was mentioned as the promised child in the context of Abraham. But this time Isaac is mentioned as an adult. He moved away from Abraham, but not far away. Abraham’s servant brought Rebekah to him while he was having his quiet time with the LORD. Rebekah asked “Who is this man?”

 

My Observations:

• Rebekah was probably filled with excitement that she was chosen by GOD to be the mother of many nations.
• Abraham’s servant was probably excited to tell the supernatural story to Isaac.
• Isaac was comforted by Rebekah’s presence and was probably renewed from being saddened over his mother’s death.

 

Sarah may have told Isaac that he was the one who would fulfill GOD’s prophecy. Rebekah was told that she would fulfill GOD’s prophecy. Both had been told these things, but it wasn’t until they met that they may have said to themselves “This is really going to happen!”

 

Two people had their lives changed over a matter of a couple of weeks. Rebekah was not expecting to be married any time soon. Isaac knew he would be married, but was probably feeling a little down because he was not allowed to marry any of the women around him and did not know how he would fulfill the prophecy. GOD brought both of them love and comfort.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD turn to speaking about Isaac when describing things to Moses?
• Have you ever been shocked when GOD comes through with a promise, HE made to you?
• Do you believe that GOD is willing to guide you by the COMFORTER today?

Abraham Buys Sarah’s Tomb

Abraham Buys Sarah’s Tomb

Genesis 23: ¹⁴ And Ephron answered Abraham, saying to him, ¹⁵ “My lord, listen to me; the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver. What is that between you and me? So bury your dead.” ¹⁶ And Abraham listened to Ephron; and Abraham weighed out the silver for Ephron which he had named in the hearing of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, currency of the merchants.

 

¹⁷ So the field of Ephron which was in Machpelah, which was before Mamre, the field and the cave which was in it, and all the trees that were in the field, which were within all the surrounding borders, were deeded ¹⁸ to Abraham as a possession in the presence of the sons of Heth, before all who went in at the gate of his city.

 

¹⁹ And after this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah, before Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan. ²⁰ So the field and the cave that is in it were deeded to Abraham by the sons of Heth as property for a burial place.

 

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Ephron the Hittite was very wealthy and owned a field with a cave fit to bury a king. Abraham asked that he purchase the cave from Ephron, but Ephron insisted on giving it to Abraham. Knowing this “gift” would be forgotten, Abraham insisted on paying for the tomb.

 

My Observations:

• This is the first mention of record keeping such as a deed, so the Hittites were advanced.
• Abraham understood currency and was able to purchase Sarah’s tomb.
• Silver was the currency of choice since gold was rare and highly sought after as a part of the Garden of Eden.

 

Living amongst the Hittites may have been rewarding and challenging at the same time. This group of raiders were strong, which would probably keep Abrahm ready to fight at all times. But on the other hand, no outside raiders would dare to attack. This seemed like a suitable place to bury Sarah.

 

Abraham became rich in land through this purchase. He probably stationed guards around the land to keep people from squatting. He received a deed and buried Sarah in the tomb. He paid more for the land than CHRIST was offered for HIS life.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD go into detail about how much ‘Abraham paid for Sarah’s tomb and how he got a deed?
• Has anyone ever offered to pay for something for you, but you sensed it would be wise for you to pay for it yourself?
• What is GOD’s wisdom saying to you about dealing with someone who does not have your best interest in mind?

Ain’t Too Proud to Beg

Ain’t Too Proud to Beg

Genesis 23: Sarah lived one hundred and twenty-seven years; these were the years of the life of Sarah. ² So Sarah died in Kirjath Arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her.

 

³ Then Abraham stood up from before his dead, and spoke to the sons of Heth, saying, ⁴ “I am a foreigner and a visitor among you. Give me property for a burial place among you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.”

 

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Thirty-seven years after Isaac was born, Sarah died in the land of Canaan. Abraham spoke to the descendants of Heth, son of Canaan, asking for a place to bury Sarah.

 

My Observations:

• Abraham mourned Sarah’s death.
• Abraham lived among people who did not believe in following GOD’s ways.
• Abraham had to humbly ask for a place to bury Sarah.

 

Living in a place that had people who did not follow beliefs in GOD seemed difficult, yet Abraham was able to do this with humility. He seemed like he did not try to change the people, rather live for GOD. He moved to the land of the Canaanites and the Hittites without worry of being tainted away from GOD.

 

He was getting older and had learned that fighting was not the answer. He did not just gran the first place and bury Sarah, rather he asked for a place that could be recognized as her grace.  Abraham showed tremendous humility.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about the conversation between Abraham and the Sons of Heth?
• Have you ever felt like a foreigner in a group of people you may even be familiar with?
• Can you know and understand that GOD is with you even when you feel alone?