Genesis 23

Abraham lives out his faith. Facts – V1-16
Sarah died at age 127. (she is the only woman who’s age is recorded upon her death).
She is also the only woman whose name God changed in the Bible.
Abraham’s choice of burying Sarah in Canaan demonstrated that he saw Canaan as him homeland, not Mesopotamia (his original homeland).

Hittite law specified that when a landowner sold only part of his property
to someone else the original owner had to continue to pay all taxes on the
land. However if he sold the entire tract the new owner was responsible to
pay the taxes (cf. 1 Chron. 21:24)

The piece of property was not cheap for Abraham; 400 shekels would be more than a hundred pounds of silver. At $36.70/oz = $58,720.00. David paid only one-eighth that amount—50 shekels of silver—for the temple site from Araunah. 2 Sam. 24:24

V 17-20.
How can we tell that this purchase was official?
The purchase was official.
There were witnesses, paperwork, and it was done at the gate.

Application
Abraham demonstrated his faith in God with this action. He showed that he believed that Canaan was the long term homeland for him and his descendants. He went to great lengths to buy the land and document that it was his indeed.

Abraham demonstrated his faith at one of the most difficult times in his life, just after Sarah’s death.

Similarly Jeremiah purchased property in the Promised Land on the eve of the Babylonian captivity to
express his belief that God would bring the Israelites back there eventually (Jer. 32:6-15).

Abraham lived like he believed God’s promise. Genesis 17:8 “I will give to you and to your descendants after you, the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.”

Here are some promises that God has given us in scripture.

How can we demonstrate our faith in God, given these promises?

Matthew 11:28-29
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Isaiah 40:29-31
He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.
Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion.
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

Philippians 4:19
And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.


Romans 8:37-39
No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

John 14:27
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.

Romans 10:9
If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.