SCRIPTURE: GENESIS 23
BIBLE VERSES:
“Then Abraham rose from beside his dead wife and spoke to the Hittites. He said, “I am a foreigner and stranger among you. Sell me some property for a burial site here so I can bury my dead.” (Genesis 23:3-4)
“Again Abraham bowed down before the people of the land and he said to Ephron in their hearing, “Listen to me, if you will. I will pay the price of the field. Accept it from me so I can bury my dead there.” Ephron answered Abraham, “Listen to me, my lord; the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver, but what is that between you and me? Bury your dead.” Abraham agreed to Ephron’s terms and weighed out for him the price he had named in the hearing of the Hittites: four hundred shekels of silver, according to the weight current among the merchants.” (Genesis 23:12-16)
“ Afterward Abraham buried his wife Sarah in the cave in the field of Machpelah near Mamre (which is at Hebron) in the land of Canaan. So the field and the cave in it were deeded to Abraham by the Hittites as a burial site.” (Genesis 23:19-20)
THE DEATH OF SARAH
Sarach was 127 years old when she died at Kiriath Arba (that is Hebron) in the land of Canaan. Abraham requested the Hittites to sell him some property to bury his wife. The land Abraham wanted to buy belonged to Ephron, son of Zophar which is in Machpelah near Mamre and the cave in it. Abraham paid the price of 400 shekels of silver and the field together with the cave and all the trees within the borders of the field was deeded to him as his property. Abraham buried Sarah in the cave (which is Hebron).
THOUGHTS:
Abraham was in a foreign land looking for a place to bury his wife. Strangers offered to help him because his reputation was above reproach and they respected him. There was a polite interchange between Abraham and Ephron. Ephron graciously offered to give his land for free but Abraham wanted to pay for it. Ephron politely mentioned the price and Abraham paid 400 shekels of silver. Abraham handled his business matters decently and in order. Christian businessmen must not carry out questionable business deals especially with the non-believers.
Abraham paid a high price to become one of the most famous tombs in Bible history. Six people were buried there: Sarah, Abraham, Isaac, Rebecca, Leah and Jacob (Genesis 49:32, 50:12). Genesis ended with a full tomb but the gospel story ended with an empty tomb. Since Jesus lives, we who trust in Him do not need to fear death.