After leaving Beersheba, Abraham and Sarah settled in Hebron in the land of Canaan. At 127 years of age, scripture records the death of Sarah. We are not given a lot of details surrounding Sarah’s death, but we are told that Abraham mourned and wept over her and once he rose from her side he proceeded to find a burial site. The tender moments shared between Sarah and Abraham while death hovered near is not recorded. But recently Gary and I have been privileged to share beautiful visits with some of our senior adults as they have had to say farewell to their spouses.
Two wonderful Christian gentlemen shared sitting by their wives’ bedsides and carrying on conversations although the wives were probably not able to comprehend what was being spoken. In both instances, we felt these were precious times shared between these couples, married for many years, before the physical body was taken away.
Reading now about Abraham, I understand a bit more clearly what he might have been going through as he mentally began processing Sarah’s physical absence. Memories flooding his mind, he would no longer hear her voice throughout the camp. No longer would she be possibly teasing her husband and son about washing their dirty feet before entering the tent. There would no longer be Sarah.
Addressing the subject of grief over the death of a loved one, Rick Warren has written a very famous book entitled, “The Purpose Driven Life.” The book is amazing and I’ve read it several times. There are two particular chapters in this book that I have incorporated into a study I led on “Grief, it’s not all about Death.” I’d like to pen a few of those thoughts for your consideration.
First, life here on this earth isn’t all there is. I’m sure Abraham knew that God had an eternal plan even though he didn’t have a copy of God’s Holy Bible. God has much bigger plans for us than what this earthly body can experience. God promises, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s House are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” John 14: 1-3
Do you believe God? Then you must believe in his promises, my friend! This old earthly body is just a temporary housing facility for your spirit! “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.” Matthew 25:34. “Friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it. Don’t indulge your ego at the expense of your soul.” I Peter 2:11 (The Message)
There are many stages individuals encounter when dealing with the death of a loved one. But we, as Christians, need to realize death is not to be feared because Christ is IN the presence of death. Remember as Christ hung on the cross and the thief asked to be remembered? Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43
By the time Abraham rose from beside Sarah’s bed, Sarah was rejoicing in heaven with her Lord! What a glorious day that will be, friends! The hardest part of death is loved ones left behind. I comment all the time that heaven grows sweeter and sweeter each year. There are so many wonderful Christian friends and loved ones who have already joined the heavenly chorus. The day God calls me home will be amazing for me, but those left behind might not feel the same way. We miss the physical presence of those who have departed.
But we must go on. Abraham rose, following Sarah’s death, and found a burial site for Sarah. Not wanting to be “given” a plot, Abraham bought the cave of Machpelah in Hebron. Since Abraham and Sarah had been on a pilgrimage, they did not own land. The soil upon which the cave of Machpelah stood is located in the land of Canaan! Can you imagine? The Promised Land, given by covenant promise to Abraham has now become the resting place of Abraham’s sweet Sarah. Don’t you just love the stories written by Almighty God?
This particular cave will be the burial site for Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob and Leah.
In conclusion, Abraham is once again demonstrating his human qualities and leadership abilities through his grief and determination to carry on with God’s plan for his life regardless of current situations. I’m sure Sarah’s death was extremely difficult for him, but he didn’t let grief overshadow the job God had for him to do.
Lord, thank you for your constant presence. Scripture reassures us in Psalms 139 that all our days are ordained by you before one of them comes into being, therefore we know nothing that happens to us is a surprise to you. Hold us, comfort us, give us peace and fill us with hope. Reassure us that time spent on earth is momentary; eternity is forevermore.
“Surely God would not have created such a being as man to exist only for a day! No, no, man was made for immortality.”
President Abraham Lincoln.
Next week: Please read chapter 24
Prearranged marriage...those are loaded words. What do you think about the direction Abraham took to find a mate for his son, Isaac? What was the reason for returning to his homeland to find a wife when God had brought him out of that land? What do you think about the method used by the servant to find the one ordained of God? Would you send your daughter off with individuals you did not know to be married to a young man you hadn't met?
Two wonderful Christian gentlemen shared sitting by their wives’ bedsides and carrying on conversations although the wives were probably not able to comprehend what was being spoken. In both instances, we felt these were precious times shared between these couples, married for many years, before the physical body was taken away.
Reading now about Abraham, I understand a bit more clearly what he might have been going through as he mentally began processing Sarah’s physical absence. Memories flooding his mind, he would no longer hear her voice throughout the camp. No longer would she be possibly teasing her husband and son about washing their dirty feet before entering the tent. There would no longer be Sarah.
Addressing the subject of grief over the death of a loved one, Rick Warren has written a very famous book entitled, “The Purpose Driven Life.” The book is amazing and I’ve read it several times. There are two particular chapters in this book that I have incorporated into a study I led on “Grief, it’s not all about Death.” I’d like to pen a few of those thoughts for your consideration.
First, life here on this earth isn’t all there is. I’m sure Abraham knew that God had an eternal plan even though he didn’t have a copy of God’s Holy Bible. God has much bigger plans for us than what this earthly body can experience. God promises, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s House are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” John 14: 1-3
Do you believe God? Then you must believe in his promises, my friend! This old earthly body is just a temporary housing facility for your spirit! “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.” Matthew 25:34. “Friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it. Don’t indulge your ego at the expense of your soul.” I Peter 2:11 (The Message)
There are many stages individuals encounter when dealing with the death of a loved one. But we, as Christians, need to realize death is not to be feared because Christ is IN the presence of death. Remember as Christ hung on the cross and the thief asked to be remembered? Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43
By the time Abraham rose from beside Sarah’s bed, Sarah was rejoicing in heaven with her Lord! What a glorious day that will be, friends! The hardest part of death is loved ones left behind. I comment all the time that heaven grows sweeter and sweeter each year. There are so many wonderful Christian friends and loved ones who have already joined the heavenly chorus. The day God calls me home will be amazing for me, but those left behind might not feel the same way. We miss the physical presence of those who have departed.
But we must go on. Abraham rose, following Sarah’s death, and found a burial site for Sarah. Not wanting to be “given” a plot, Abraham bought the cave of Machpelah in Hebron. Since Abraham and Sarah had been on a pilgrimage, they did not own land. The soil upon which the cave of Machpelah stood is located in the land of Canaan! Can you imagine? The Promised Land, given by covenant promise to Abraham has now become the resting place of Abraham’s sweet Sarah. Don’t you just love the stories written by Almighty God?
This particular cave will be the burial site for Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob and Leah.
In conclusion, Abraham is once again demonstrating his human qualities and leadership abilities through his grief and determination to carry on with God’s plan for his life regardless of current situations. I’m sure Sarah’s death was extremely difficult for him, but he didn’t let grief overshadow the job God had for him to do.
Lord, thank you for your constant presence. Scripture reassures us in Psalms 139 that all our days are ordained by you before one of them comes into being, therefore we know nothing that happens to us is a surprise to you. Hold us, comfort us, give us peace and fill us with hope. Reassure us that time spent on earth is momentary; eternity is forevermore.
“Surely God would not have created such a being as man to exist only for a day! No, no, man was made for immortality.”
President Abraham Lincoln.
Next week: Please read chapter 24
Prearranged marriage...those are loaded words. What do you think about the direction Abraham took to find a mate for his son, Isaac? What was the reason for returning to his homeland to find a wife when God had brought him out of that land? What do you think about the method used by the servant to find the one ordained of God? Would you send your daughter off with individuals you did not know to be married to a young man you hadn't met?
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