Genesis 23:1-20 When God closes a door, He opens another

Genesis 23:1-20

1 Now Sarah lived one hundred and twenty-seven years; these were the years of the life of Sarah. 2 Sarah died in Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan; and Abraham went in to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her. 

3 Then Abraham rose from before his dead, and spoke to the sons of Heth, saying, 4 “I am a stranger and a sojourner among you; give me a burial site among you that I may bury my dead out of my sight.” 5 The sons of Heth answered Abraham, saying to him, 6 “Hear us, my lord, you are a mighty prince among us; bury your dead in the choicest of our graves; none of us will refuse you his grave for burying your dead.” 7 So Abraham rose and bowed to the people of the land, the sons of Heth. 8 And he spoke with them, saying, “If it is your wish for me to bury my dead out of my sight, hear me, and approach Ephron the son of Zohar for me, 9 that he may give me the cave of Machpelah which he owns, which is at the end of his field; for the full price let him give it to me in your presence for a burial site.” 10 Now Ephron was sitting among the sons of Heth; and Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the hearing of the sons of Heth; even of all who went in at the gate of his city, saying, 11 “No, my lord, hear me; I give you the field, and I give you the cave that is in it. In the presence of the sons of my people I give it to you; bury your dead.” 12 And Abraham bowed before the people of the land. 13 He spoke to Ephron in the hearing of the people of the land, saying, “If you will only please listen to me; I will give the price of the field, accept it from me that I may bury my dead there.” 14 Then Ephron answered Abraham, saying to him, 15 “My lord, listen to me; a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver, what is that between me and you? So bury your dead.” 16 Abraham listened to Ephron; and Abraham weighed out for Ephron the silver which he had named in the hearing of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, commercial standard.

17 So Ephron’s field, which was in Machpelah, which faced Mamre, the field and cave which was in it, and all the trees which were in the field, that were within all the confines of its border, were deeded over 18 to Abraham for a possession in the presence of the sons of Heth, before all who went in at the gate of his city. 19 After this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field at Machpelah facing Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan. 20 So the field and the cave that is in it, were deeded over to Abraham for a burial site by the sons of Heth.

Background

The death of Sarah occasions the purchase of land for burial ushering in a new beginning for the people of God. Abraham does not allow the loss of his wife to blind him from the present opportunities and possibilities of the future. In the face of great tragedy, Abraham has acted in profound strength and wisdom. Today’s devotion teaches us that when God closes a door, He opens another.

Observation

Now Sarah lived one hundred and twenty-seven years; these were the years of the life of Sarah.

The fact that Sarah’s age is mentioned attests to her importance in the male dominated period of primeval history. Isaac is at the time 37 years of age and Abraham lives for another 38 years after her death. Sarah’s life is far from easy: she is exposed to the rigours of life as a sojourner in a foreign land with her husband and in several occasions has to resort to the greener pastures of Negev and Egypt. She suffers the shame of barrenness till the age of 90 having to bear the pressure of producing an heir for her husband. Twice she is endangered by her husband’s folly being trapped in the harem of kings. Twice she is provoked to breaking point by the slave girl and her son. She has to see her own son Isaac being taken away from her to the mountains of Moriah to be sacrificed. Through it all, one cannot help but wonder if Abraham truly cares for her as a responsible husband ought to.

I am a stranger and a sojourner among you; give me a burial site among you that I may bury my dead out of my sight.

The death of Sarah only reveals the stark reality that Abraham despite his stature is still landless. With no place to bury his wife, he goes to the sons of Heth, an indigenous Canaanite tribe seeking a burial site. He establishes his legal status among them as one who is a stranger and sojourner (alien resident or immigrant) looking for permanent settlement. Here, Abraham admits to the vulnerability of his situation. And in seeking a burial site, he is also indirectly seeking acceptance into the commmunity as one having equal rights with the indigenous people. The response from the people: you are a mighty prince, connotes reverence towards Abraham who is not just an immigrant but a chief among them and favoured by God. However, hidden in their courteous and respectful reply is a hint of reluctance in granting Abraham what he wants. As opposed to a burial site which involves the transfer of actual land, they offer him instead the choicest of our graves. The offer of burial in their graves still does not accord Abraham with permanent use of land as burial ground for his descendants and he will still be a landless sojourner.

If it is your wish for me to bury my dead out of my sight, hear me…

Encouraged by the people’s warm reception of his request to bury his wife (none of us will refuse you his grave for burying your dead), he looks pass their initial reluctance and presses to purchase the cave of Machpelah owned by Zephron, son of Zohar. It is clear at this point that Abraham is openly seeking land ownership, not just a grave: for the full price let him give it to me in your presence for a burial site. Zephron’s reply (I give you the field, and I give you the cave that is in it) is ambiguous; a land given may imply a lease instead of perpetual ownership. Even if Zephron meant an outright gift, it may leave Abraham beholdened to him in other ways. Upon Abraham’s insistence of paying the full price, Zephron concedes with a price tag of 400 shekels of silver. Zephron’s reply, “What is that between me and you?” in the light of oriental courtesy could mean “What is 400 shekels between us? Friend, take it for nothing! But don’t feel constrained by my offer.”

After this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field at Machpelah facing Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan.

Abraham makes no attempt to quibble for a better price and accepts Ephron’s offer of 400 shekels. The deal is concluded with the land deeded to Abraham to possess perpetually. Sarah is buried in the land of promise, the burial site that is to be the resting place for Abraham and his offsprings.

Truth

Every tragedy carries an opportunity, and every loss, a new beginning.

Biblical history shows us that whenever something unfavourable happens, it carries hidden avenues to something much better. And when things seem to come to a head, it often signals the beginning of something new. Therefore, we must endeavour to see the good and not be drowned by the loss of the moment. You may be suffering the loss of a loved one, the end of a relationship or a job. Be comforted, for God has plans not for calamity but for blessing, to give you a future and a hope (see Jeremiah 29:11). When God closes a door, He opens another so that you may enter into a new chapter.

The death of Sarah no doubt brings an end to a endearing relationship that spans decades. However, Abraham does not allow sorrow to blind him from the opportunity to acquire a legitimate foothold in the promised land. He capitalises on the seeming tragedy and raises a request to purchase land for his wife’s burial. For Abraham is ever looking to the fulfilment of God’s promises in the land.

The inevitable besiege of Judah does not stop the prophet Jeremiah from capitalising on the falling prices of land. He purchases land from his uncle who visits him in prison and declares: For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, “Houses and fields and vineyards will again be bought in this land.” Jeremiah 32:15. 

How then should our attitude be in the face of unprecedented challenges and tragedies? We must get out of our despair believing the opportunities are there for the taking. We must endeavour to keep moving forward in embracing new relationships and experiences that may come our way. Helen Keller, an American educator who is born blind and deaf says, “When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us.”

God’s gifts must be acquired by man’s faith and righteousness.

The greater the promises, the greater the faith and character needed to acquire them. If Abraham does not possess profound wisdom and righteousness, he will not have enjoyed such trust among the local community. And without this favour among the indigenous people, he will not have gotten the sons of Heth to part with their land. The successful acquisition of land is the result of years of goodwill and countless acts of righteousness.

Having said, if fulfilment of God’s promises is dependent on the believer’s faith and righteousness, what then is the role of God? Is God’s providence still indispensable? I will say Yes! In fact, man’s faith and righteousness is fully dependent on God’s grace. And without God’s grace, no man given his human weaknesses and limitations can achieve great exploits. God’s providence towards Abraham for instance is shown by his victories in various military confrontations against armies much bigger than his. God’s unseen hand provides divine protection over Sarah deep in the king’s harem. God’s power is seen revitalising Abraham and his wife’s body at a critical moment producing an heir for him.

What should our attitude be in the light of God’s promises? Believers must live one day at a time without being concerned as to when the promises will be fulfilled. He must not look at his current difficulties and becoming impatient grumble against God. He must see difficulties and testing as instrumental in moulding him towards the stature that is necessary to acquire the promises. Many churchgoers focus on God’s promises without giving due attention to their personal growth towards Christ-likeness. They celebrate God’s faithfulness and yet complain of God being slack in meeting His promissory obligations. Their continual rashness in their life’s decisions, shoddy approach to work and fleshly inclinations bring them further, not nearer to the promises.

Application

Are you still wallowing in the loss of a loved one, a relationship or a precious possession? Make a decision to move on by praising God for the many blessings that are in stored for you. God is starting a new chapter in your life and opening your eyes to hidden opportunities. God has allowed the old to pass so that the new may come. As your attitude changes, so will your circumstances.

Do you read the word selectively choosing the parts that makes you feel good? You may be neglecting the hard truths that are able to make you wise towards acquiring the promises. And many are left wondering why they are not experiencing the basic things that God has promised. As the Spirit leads, make a list of virtues that you find lacking in yourself. The below are some considerations that could help you make that list.

a. Do you pursue your dreams while giving cursory regard for the needs and calling of your loved ones?

b. Do you allow for God’s purview to extend to most but not all areas of your life?

c. Continual joy is absent and you cannot stop worrying about finances and things in general?

d. Do you find it hard to submit to God’s instructions especially when you don’t fully understand it?

Dear Lord, I release my emotional attachment to the things that I treasure. In anticipation of the new opportunities and relationships that you have prepared for me, I praise you. I will endeavour to walk in your ways one day at a time. I believe in your time, the promises concerning me will be fulfilled. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.