Part 10 Book of Genesis

 

 

 

Abraham acquires a burial ground

23.1-9 Sarah dies in Hebron at the age of 127. After a period of mourning Abraham goes to the Hittites to purchase a burial site. He explains to the Hittites that he is a resident alien in the land, to which they reply that he is the elect of God among them. They tell him to bury his dead in the area he chooses. Abraham bows low to them and asks them to help him purchase land for Ephron the son of Zoar for the full price.

Abraham is now a humble servant of the Lord and presumes nothing. He sees himself as a sojourner in the land and asks permission to buy a burial place for his family. The people of the land recognize him as the anointed of the Lord.

23.10-16
Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the presence of the sons of Heth, all who entered at the gate of his city, saying, “No, my lord, hear me: I give you the field and the cave that is in it; I give it to you in the presence of the sons of my people. I give it to you. Bury your dead!”
Then Abraham bowed himself down before the people of the land; and he spoke to Ephron in the hearing of the people of the land, saying, “If you will give it, please hear me. I will give you money for the field; take it from me and I will bury my dead there.” And Ephron answered Abraham, saying to him, “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.” 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.

A classic bargaining session!

23.17-20 Ephron’s cave now is deeded to Abraham in the presence of the Hittites. Sarah is buried there in Mamre, now Hebron, in the land of Canaan.

This purchase agreement is still referred to unto this day as a reminder to the Jews that they purchased this land in ancient times.

Abraham procures a proper wife for Isaac
24.1-9 Abraham is now very old and blessed in all things. He calls his senior servant who is in charge of all he owns and makes him swear by the Lord that he will not take a wife of the Canaanites for his son Isaac. The servant is to go back to the land from which Abraham came to procure a wife for Isaac from his kin. The servant is to bring the woman back to where Abraham is, not take Isaac back to that land either. Abraham tells him the angel of the Lord will guide him to the right woman. If the woman refuses to come back with him leave her there--Isaac is not to go there.

24.10-14 The servant travels to Mesopotamia and once there he stops by the well outside the city of Nahor. He prays that when the women come out to draw water that the one who he asks for a drink will offer to also water his camels--that will be the one who God wants for Isaac.

24.15-20 The servant had hardly stopped praying and Rebekah, a beautiful woman daughter of Bethuel, the son of Milcah the wife of Abraham’s brother Nahor, comes out with her jar on her shoulder. When she comes up from the spring the Abraham’s servant asks her for a drink and she gladly complies and then offers to water his camels!

24.21-27 The servant watches as Rebekah waters the camel wondering if this is the girl. When the camels finish drinking he takes a gold nose ring and two gold bands for her and asked her whose daughter she is. When she tells him he realizes they are Abraham’s kin. He asks her if he can spend the night at her father’s house and she says it will be fine.

24.28-33 Rebekah runs and tells all this to her mother’s household and her brother Laban when he sees the gold items runs out to speak to the servant. He eagerly invites him into the house for relaxation and food. Abraham’s servant says before he eats he must tell them why he is here.

Laban’s instant notice of the expensive jewelry suggests his stinginess and materialism he will display in dealing with his future son-in-law Jacob. This is in contrast to Rebekah’s true generosity.

24.34-49 Abraham’s servant proceeds to tell his story about coming there to choose a wife for Abraham’s son Isaac. He tells them how God has led him to their house--Abraham’s kin and how wealthy Abraham has become. Now, will they allow Rebekah to return with him to marry Isaac or should he leave without her?

24.50-61 Laban and his father agree to let Rebekah go with the servant. He gives the family members more presents of gold and garments. After his men eat and drink the servant is ready to leave the next morning. Rebekah’s family asks him to wait ten days. He wishes to leave right away so the family calls for Rebekah and they ask her. She says she will go immediately. The family blesses her saying, “Oh sister, may you grow into thousands and myriads and may your offspring seize the gates of their enemies.” Off they go!

24.62-67 As they approach Isaac’s home he is out walking and sees them coming. Rebekah sees Isaac and asks who he is. She is told that is the man she is to marry. She gets off her camel and puts on her veil. Isaac is told about the selection process and takes Rebekah into the tent of his deceased mother and takes her as his wife. Isaac loved her and thus found comfort after his mother’s death.


Next: Part 11