(Genesis) Genesis 23:1-6
Abraham's purchase of a cave in the land of Canaan reveals his hope in the future and his status as a stranger and sojourner in the promised land.
In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the death of Sarah and Abraham's need to find a burial place for her. Despite being promised the land by God, Abraham refers to himself as a stranger and sojourner among the people of Heth. The children of Heth generously offer Abraham their sepulchers for Sarah's burial. This shows the influence and respect that Abraham had gained as a mighty prince in the land.
Full Transcript
Now, we come to chapter 23, and as we come to chapter 23, why, we see the death of Sarah and Abraham's purchase of a cave in which to bury her, and that's the cave of Machpelah. Now, will you notice as we come to chapter 23, we have first of all here the death of Sarah, and Sarah was 107 and 20 years old. These were the years of the life of Sarah.
And Sarah died in Kerjif Arbor, the name is Hebron, in the land of Canaan. And Abraham came to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her. Now, you have here the death of Sarah, and you'll notice her age is given as 127 years old.
Now, she was 90 when Isaac was born. Now, we are told that when Sarah died in Kerjif Arbor, it's Hebron, and we'll notice how Abraham even had to buy a cave in which to bury his dead in the very land that God had given him. Now, why didn't he take her somewhere else to bury? Well, because the hope they have is in that land, that is, the hope of the future.
And I'll move on down and read this because although it's the arrangements for a funeral, and that's not very exciting or very interesting, and certainly becomes a little morbid to some, but it's very important to see here a great truth. Now, I'm reading verse 3, And Abraham stood up from before his dead, and spake unto the sons of Heth, saying, I am a stranger and a sojourner with you. Give me a possession of a burying place with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.
Now, notice Abraham calls himself a stranger and a sojourner even in the promised land that God had promised to give him. And verse 5, And the children of Heth answered Abraham, saying unto him, Hear us, my lord. Thou art a mighty prince among us.
In the choice of our sepulchres, bury thy dead. None of us shall withhold from thee his sepulchre, but that thou mayest bury thy dead. Now, this is a very generous offer of the children of Heth that lived in this land.
They said to Abraham, You just pick your burying spot in any of our sepulchres, and that's it. We'd be delighted to have you. And you see, Abraham had made a tremendous impression.
He's a mighty prince. This man's influence counted for something.
Sermon Outline
- I. Introduction to the Death of Sarah
- A. Sarah's age and death in Hebron
- B. Abraham's grief and purchase of a cave
- II. The Importance of the Cave of Machpelah
- A. The hope of the future in the land
- B. Abraham's request for a burial place
- III. Abraham's Status as a Stranger and Sojourner
- A. His request to the children of Heth
- B. Their generous offer of a burial place
- IV. Conclusion: Abraham's Influence and Status
- A. His reputation as a mighty prince
- B. The impact of his influence
Key Quotes
“And Abraham stood up from before his dead, and spake unto the sons of Heth, saying, I am a stranger and a sojourner with you.” — J. Vernon McGee
“Give me a possession of a burying place with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.” — J. Vernon McGee
“Thou art a mighty prince among us.” — J. Vernon McGee
Application Points
- We should acknowledge our temporary status as strangers and sojourners in this life, just like Abraham did.
- Our influence and status can have a significant impact on those around us, just like Abraham's did with the children of Heth.
- We should hold onto the hope of the future, just like Abraham did, and trust in God's promises.