(A) The Proper Princess (Gen 23:1-3)
Today, we come to the death of Sarah. We've been following the story of their lives since Gen 12, and from that chapter, many things have taken place. Her life can be summarised as follows:
Sarai followed Abraham’s faith out of Haran to Shechem (Gen 12:5), to Egypt where Pharaoh took her (Gen 12:9), nearly lost Abram against the Canaanite kings (Gen 14), had domestic problems with Hagar (Gen 16:1), was renamed Sarah (Gen 17:15), laughed in bitterness at God (Gen 17:12), was taken by Abimelech (20:30), bore Isaac (Gen 21:1), banished Hagar (Gen 21:9), watched Abraham sacrifice Isaac (Gen 22) before dying at age 127 (Gen 23).
Throughout her life, she was a real person with real struggles and a very human faith. What started out as Abraham's faith, however, eventually became her own. Later in the New Testament, in 1 Pet 3:6, Peter wrote to Christian women and drew their attention to the example of obedience of Sarah. Sarah, in displaying obedience to her husband, and ultimately God, was imitating Jesus, who obeyed his Father and submitted to His will too.
In the face of Sarah's death, Abraham lost his companion of almost a century of faith-led wandering. At her death, he mourned. The Bible teaches that from Gen 3 on, sin and death entered into the world. Do you realize that death is an aberration- an abnormality of life? In losing Sarah Abraham had to face this final enemy.
However, her death also proved another practical problem -- her burial. Sarah died in Hebron, but Abraham was a sojourner and had no access to land or property.
(B) The Princely Price (Gen 23:4-16)
Abraham sought out the Hittites. They held him in high regard, as they referred to him as 'Prince of God' and 'my Lord'. Abraham was well-known because he was the rich foreigner in their midst, and because like Abimelech, it seemed that they knew he had favor with the living God.
5 conversational exchanges were recorded for us in verses 4-16 as Abraham sought to obtain a burial ground. The Hittites were willing to give him the land, but Abraham insisted on paying for it, even though some Bible scholars say that the 444 grams of silver was overpriced payment. So why? Was he just being polite?
Abraham did all these -- even bowing to the Hittites on two occasions, paying 400 shekels for a land not worth that price-- so that his beloved wife could be buried in the promised land of Hebron. After a century of wandering, this was the land that God had promised him and by faith, he paid for it, buried his wife there, and looked forward to the day when his descendants would own it.
(C) The Promised Property (Gen 23:17-30)
The passage in Gen 23:17-20 describes Abraham's new property. In particular, it highlights the quantity (Gen 23:17), legitimacy (Gen 23:18) and occupancy (Gen 23:19). It was an abundant piece of property, and it was acquired rightfully and legally in full view of many witnesses. At this point, what was previously promised to him now became his by proper transaction.
It is stunning to note that this land was eventually owned by his descendants. Who would have realized that buying a piece of land to bury Sarah's body was actually a act of faith on Abraham's part, claiming boldly the promise that God had made for himself and for his descendants:
Sarah was buried in Hebron by Abraham (Gen 23:19)
Abraham was buried with Sarah by Isaac and Ishmael (Gen 25:9)
Isaac was buried by his son Jacob in Hebron (Gen 49:31)
Jacob asked to be buried in Hebron too (because he was in Egypt at the time of his death) (Gen 49:29-30)
Joseph was embalmed in Egypt and wanted to be buried there. (Gen 50:25-26)
Joseph brought to the promised land and buried in Shechem (Joshua 24:32)
Caleb inherited the land (Joshua 24:6-15)
David brought people there and settled them there (2 Sam 2:3-4)
Yet the takeaway for us is far more than just a physical piece of land. In Heb 11:11-16, 11:39-12:2, these acts of faith were about the final promised land that God was going to bring them, and all Christians too. The promised land is our true home -- the place where we will finally see Jesus. The joy that kept Jesus going, even enduring the cross, was for the promise of redeeming his people. For us who believe, what awaits us is the face of Jesus, our final home. And this makes our journey here worth it.
There is a hope that stands the test of time
That lifts my eyes beyond the beckoning grave
To see the matchless beauty of a day divine
When I behold His face!
When sufferings cease and sorrows die
And every longing satisfied
Then joy unspeakable will flood my soul,
For I am truly home.
(There is a hope, by Stuart Townend)