01-67 The Death of Sarah

Genesis 23:1-20

I was thinking about the tagline on our church logo this week: “Teaching the Truth That Transforms Lives.” It is a powerful reminder that what brings about the transformation of your life (conformed into Christ’s image) is the word of truth. That’s what the Scriptures do—they transform you—your mind/thinking/behavior. This was happening in the early church and the world was noticing something different about Xns.

Aristides (Gk philosopher and believer) gave his apology before king Hadrian in A.D. 125. He was speaking about the lifestyles of the Barbarians, Gks, and Egyptians and then started to contrast them with the Xns:

But the Christians, O King, while they went about and made search, have found the truth; and as we learned from their writings, they have come nearer to truth and genuine knowledge than the rest of the nations. For they know and trust in God, the Creator of heaven and of earth, in whom and from whom are all things, to whom there is no other god as companion, from whom they received commandments which they engraved upon their minds and observe in hope and expectation of the world which is to come. Wherefore they do not commit adultery nor fornication, nor bear false witness, nor embezzle what is held in pledge, nor covet what is not theirs. They honour father and mother, and show kindness to those near to them; and whenever they are judges, they judge uprightly. They do not worship idols (made) in the image of man; and whatsoever they would not that others should do unto them, they do not to others; and of the food which is consecrated to idols they do not eat, for they are pure. And their oppressors they appease (lit: comfort) and make them their friends; they do good to their enemies; and their women, O King, are pure as virgins, and their daughters are modest; and their men keep themselves from every unlawful union and from all uncleanness, in the hope of a recompense to come in the other world. Further, if one or other of them have bondmen and bondwomen or children, through love towards them they persuade them to become Christians, and when they have done so, they call them brethren without distinction. They do not worship strange gods, and they go their way in all modesty and cheerfulness. Falsehood is not found among them; and they love one another, and from widows they do not turn away their esteem; and they deliver the orphan from him who treats him harshly. And he, who has, gives to him who has not, without boasting. And when they see a stranger, they take him in to their homes and rejoice over him as a very brother; for they do not call them brethren after the flesh, but brethren after the spirit and in God. And whenever one of their poor passes from the world, each one of them according to his ability gives heed to him and carefully sees to his burial. And if they hear that one of their number is imprisoned or afflicted on account of the name of their Messiah, all of them anxiously minister to his necessity, and if it is possible to redeem him they set him free. And if there is among them any that is poor and needy, and if they have no spare food, they fast two or three days in order to supply to the needy their lack of food. They observe the precepts of their Messiah with much care, living justly and soberly as the Lord their God commanded them. Every morning and every hour they give thanks and praise to God for His loving-kindnesses toward them; and for their food and their drink they offer thanksgiving to Him. And if any righteous man among them passes from the world, they rejoice and offer thanks to God; and they escort his body as if he were setting out from one place to another near.

Isn’t that a remarkable description? It is the truth that brings about this sanctification. This is why I don’t stand up here and tell you stories about myself or anything else. Your greatest need is to be instructed in the truth, to be fed these words of life. There are many who neglect this in favor of giving the audience what they want—tickling of the ears. So we come back to the Scriptures this morning…the heading in my Bible in ch 23 “The death and burial of Sarah” (pretty much how every Bible introduces Gen 23).

Ch 23 is really not about Sarah (only mentioned 5x: 4x in 1-2; 1x 19). We are told that she lives to be 127 years old. Sarah is the only woman whose age is recorded at her death. This happens 37 years after the birth of Isaac and around 30 years after Abraham’s readiness to offer Isaac up to the Lord. So the passage really is not about Sarah but much more about Abraham. Nonetheless, Sarah’s death is a very important detail and just a importantly we’ll see a saint’s response to the death of a spouse.

Sarah was an extraordinary woman of the faith. We are never instructed to act like Mary—the mother of Jesus. But in 2 places we are instructed to be like Sarah.

Isaiah 51:1–2 NASB95

1 “Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness, Who seek the Lord: Look to the rock from which you were hewn And to the quarry from which you were dug. 2 “Look to Abraham your father And to Sarah who gave birth to you in pain; When he was but one I called him, Then I blessed him and multiplied him.”

1 Peter 3:3–6 NASB95

3 Your adornment must not be merely external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; 4 but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. 5 For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands; 6 just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear.

Sarah was not perfect. In fact she had staggering failures after she and Abraham left Ur of the Chaldeans. On 2 occasions she was complicit in the lie that Abraham told Pharaoh and Abimelech. She was unwise in giving Hagar (handmaiden) to Abraham that he would father a child thru her. She then became very harsh in her treatment of Hagar. When the Angel of the Lord announced that she would have a child in her old age she laughed in disbelief. When asked why she laughed she compounded her sin by lying.

Robert Candlish (19th C Scottish pastor) offers this perspective about Sarah:

“For she too walked by faith, having favour with God, and waiting for his salvation. In faith, being like-minded with Abraham, she left her early home and her father's house. In faith, she bore him company through the long years of his exile, cheering him amid many troubles, and upholding him under many disappointments. Through faith she received strength to conceive seed; and afterwards, when even Abraham himself was perhaps too much divided between the child after the flesh and the child by promise—  between his own righteousness and that of God—between the covenant of legal bondage and the covenant of grace and liberty,— she seems to have had a more spiritual discernment than he had. She  believed salvation to be in the line of Isaac alone; and her counsel, to "cast out the bondwoman and her son," obtained the sanction of God himself. Finally, she stands enrolled among those "of whom the world was not worthy;" and it is in immediate connection with her, and with "the strength she received to bear seed because she judged him faithful who had promised," that the apostle introduces his comprehensive testimony to the humble walk and high hope of all the patriarchs;—"These all died in faith, not having received the  promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare  plainly that they seek a country" (Heb. xi. 11-14).

Sarah was a beautiful woman (not only physically Gen 12:14)—but a spiritual beauty for which she is commended and women who follow her example of faith and she has become the mother of the obedient.

Let me begin with our first heading:

1. Abraham’s Grief

vv 1-2

It is possible that Abraham and Sarah had been married more than 100 years at the time of her death. We have no record of the age when they were married but they were when they left Ur and settled in Haran. Moses tells us that Sarah died in Kiriath-arba (“city of four” Aner, Eschol, Mamre, Hebron (the most notable)). She dies in the heart of the promised land—in the land of Canaan—yet without receiving the promised land.

Upon her death, Abraham “went in” to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her. Mourning is customary when a loved one dies. In Abraham’s culture, the mourning rite would have included loud wailing (lit Heb term) and grief could be demonstrated in many ways: going barefoot, stripping off one’s clothes, cutting one’s beard, fasting, scattering ashes, or beating some part of the body.

The term “weep” has to do with the voice—this was an audible cry that underscores the nature of his grief over the death of his bride. This is what we would expect of one who was devoted to his wife. He is completely devastated over her death. Abraham is 10 yeas older and will go on to live another 38 years. This really puts the emphasis on our marriage vows today— “till death do us part.” If you’re intent on making your marriage last (maybe not 100 years-but 30,40,50,60 or more)…look to Abraham and Sarah (again not perfect—but a stick-tuitiveness).

Abraham is grieving. This is natural. This is what those who are made in God’s image do—they express emotion. Expressing grief is a common emotion—one that is appropriate.

Ecclesiastes 3:4 NASB95

4 A time to weep and a time to laugh; A time to mourn and a time to dance.

Psalm 3:4 NASB95

4 I was crying to the Lord with my voice, And He answered me from His holy mountain. Selah.

Jeremiah 9:1 NASB95

1 Oh that my head were waters And my eyes a fountain of tears, That I might weep day and night For the slain of the daughter of my people!

Luke 19:41 NASB95

41 When He approached Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it,

John 11:35 NASB95

35 Jesus wept.

Believers are instructed:

Romans 12:15 NASB95

15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

Weeping is good, it is designed within us by the Creator and yet the world is intent on taking away tears and trying to stop weeping. We have been raised in the culture that says when you go to church make sure everything appears pleasant, happy, peaceful, joyful—but that’s not life in a sin-cursed world. We all experience loss and the place where there ought to be real emotions is the gathering of the saints.

2) Abraham’s Integrity

vv 3-18 (bulk of the chapter)—this has to do with the negotiations for the purchase of a cave in which to bury Sarah’s body. The flesh will always take advantage (in every situation) to the benefit of one’s self. The way that often manifests itself is thru compromise. I’m not talking about the agreement that 2 people make in order to walk in peace…but compromising in a moral or ethical manner. That is something our world is very good (and examples are all around us). Integrity is just the opposite of compromise. It refers to the quality or condition of being whole or complete—being true to one’s moral standard (in this case—the standard is God’s). In negotiating for a place of burial, Abraham demonstrates great integrity in the matter. Let me highlight 5 traits of a person with integrity.

A. Humility

vs 3-6

Sons of Heth are to occupants of Hebron. They are the Hittites who had already established themselves as a great empire in Asia Minor (Anatolia). They were leaders in metropolitan cluster of towns. We know they were leaders b/c in that culture, leaders (major landowners, judges) would sit at the city gates and conduct business, and just watch all the happenings of life in the city. The Hittites were influential people—had great power and many resources. Notice Abraham’s humility “I am a stranger...” (he had been sojourning here for over 60 years). Abraham was a humble man…He didn’t assert his own prominence or importance. We saw that earlier on in giving Lot the choice of where to settle. Lowliness is Abraham’s way. What he had of a low opinion of himself is the exact opposite of how the Hittites saw him.

Genesis 23:6 (NASB95)

6 “Hear us, my lord, you are a mighty prince among us;

Abraham recognized that he was not like the others—just a sojourner—a resident alien—not a landowner. Now, of course the irony here is that God had promised him the whole land for both himself and his descendants—but he doesn’t assert that—humbly, patiently waiting for the Lord to work.

He says “give me...” he’s not asking for a free burial place but this is the language of negotiation for Abraham is ready to pay full market price for the plot of land (vs 9) so he could bury Sarah’s body out of sight.

Now, the Hittites respond “mighty prince” (prince of God/elect of God). They’ve heard of Abraham and they assured him that no one would take advantage of his grief by selling a grave to bury his dead. They would give it to him instead (choicest of graves—vs 6). They esteemed Abraham and they were right to do so.

Integrity begins with humility—seeing yourself as you really are—Abraham represents himself in true lowliness.

B. Respect For Others

vs 7 “rose” (sitting at the city gate with the leaders) and notice Abraham’s response: “he bowed before the people.” It was a common practice and sign of respect to bow before those of higher positions. A subject would bow before his king. Abraham has no claim of superiority—recognizing he is a sojourner and that he is in the land of the Hittites, so he shows them a due respect.

Our society seems to have lost a mutual respect of one another—especially those with whom you disagree. The Hittites were unbelievers—polytheistic and had temples set up to worship Hatti (Storm god) and other gods as well. Abraham was monotheistic—worshiping the One Creator God. He was justified by faith and yet offers a respect that is not really found today among peoples of differing persuasions. I’m not saying to compromise, but integrity is remaining true to the the moral standard God has revealed and while Abraham did this, he gave due respect/regard to the Hittites.

C. Gives Preference

vs 8 “if it is your wish” (lit soul—like “soul’s desire). If this is what you really desire…remember, he’s just lost his wife of perhaps 100 years. He’s in shambles. Though I’ve not lost a spouse, I can understand what my life would be like to lose my companion/helper suitable. Abraham in all of this has no sense of entitlement. He doesn’t think the world owes him something. This is an uncommon attitude in our society. People have been trained to depend so heavily on our government that there is a sense of entitlement that people have— “they owe it to me.”

So Abraham asks that city’s leaders to approach Ephron (son of Zohar). Abraham’s done his homework. He knows who owns the field with the cave which would be suitable for burying Sarah’s body “out of sight.” By asking the leaders to be a buffer, he’s giving Ephron a chance to say “no” to the transaction. This is the way to give preference.

Romans 12:10 NASB95

10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;

Abraham doesn’t want the entire field and is not asking for that. He only wants the cave portion which is at the end. And so he is being so careful not to intrude, not to demand, not to expect anything. Again, by saying “give it” (vs 9) it is understood that he would pay the “full price” for the burial site.

D. Fairness

Another quality of integrity is being equitable, fair in your dealings with other people. Abraham is ready to pay the full price for the land (just the portion at the end). Abraham is extremely wealthy and could easily pay market price for the land. But just note, Abraham was not willing to bargain for the price of the land. I’m not saying there’s never a place for negotiating, but in that, there may be a temptation to toss aside your integrity for a few dollars.

So Ephron (sitting along with the others—presumably the whole time), offers to give the field to Abraham (“I give” 3x). This could be seen as an act of gratuity or a negotiating tactic. If Ephron only sold the cave, then the rest of the field would still belong to him and under Hittite law, he was obligated to render “service” to the ruler—pay taxes/levies other duties. To get out from under those obligations, Ephron could sell the whole field and transfer that obligation to Abraham.

Abraham was good with that (no bargaining on his part)—vs 13.

vv 14-15: 400 shekels of silver (not coins but by the weight). This was actually not much of a bargain for Abraham. It would have been more than 100 pounds of silver—for a burial site. Just for comparison sake:

The Book of Genesis, Chapters 18–50 2. Abraham and Ephron (23:10–20)

David paid only one-eighth that amount—50 shekels of silver—for the purchase of the temple site from Araunah (2 Sam. 24:24). Jeremiah paid 17 shekels of silver for his cousin’s field in Anathoth (Jer. 32:9). Omri paid fifteen times as much as Abraham—two talents of silver (6,000 shekels)—for the large hill of Samaria (1 K. 16:24).

For the amount of land—it was over-priced. This was a paltry amount “what is it b/t you and me?” but Abraham is a man of integrity and doesn’t try to lower the price.

E. Honors His Commitment

vs 16—Abraham will do what he agreed to do. He weighs out 400 shekels and ensures it is witnessed by the leaders and it was a legal transaction “commercial standard”—the measure used by merchants in the city. Everything at this point was deeded over to Abraham as a possession slo he could bury his beloved wife’s body.

These are just some simple marks of integrity—money and possessions are often the temptation to compromise and destroy integrity—being a root of all kinds of evil (1 Tim 6:10). The world is watching how Xns do business. We need to keep this in mind for the sake of our testimony of God’s grace.

3. Abraham’s Devotion

vs 19-20

After all those years being married, Abraham finally lays Sarah to rest—you can sense a flood of emotions as the husband grieves at the finality of death—in physical terms. Abraham is devoted to his wife, devoted the Lord and I want you to take note that this cave at Machpelah—from Sarah’s time onward—becomes a sort of ossuary, depository for the bones of patriarchs. In God’s provision, this cave is in the heart of the Promised Land—and a testament to Abraham’s devotion and faith in the Lord’s promise.

Genesis—Beginning and Blessing Sarah’s Burial in Hebron (vv. 17–20)

Abraham buried Sarah in the cave at Hebron (23:19, 20).

• By faith Isaac buried Abraham with Sarah at Hebron (Genesis 25:9).

• By faith Jacob buried his father Isaac at Hebron (cf. 49:31).

• By faith, while in Egypt, Jacob charged his sons to bury him in Hebron (cf. 49:29, 30).

• By faith Jacob’s sons had him embalmed and took his remains to Hebron for burial (cf. 50:1, 2, 12–14).

• By faith, as the very last lines in Genesis record, “Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear, saying, ‘God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here.’ So Joseph died, being 110 years old. They embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt” (50:25, 26).

• By faith Moses, 430 years later, at the exodus took Joseph’s bones up out of Egypt (cf. Exodus 13:19) and then for forty years bore his mummified remains throughout Israel’s wanderings.

• By faith when Joshua conquered the promised land, he buried Joseph’s body in fulfillment of the same principle in a plot of land earlier purchased by Joseph’s father Jacob (cf. Joshua 24:32).

It is of abiding spiritual significance that two of the twelve spies sent out to scout the promised land after visiting Hebron (cf. Numbers 13:21, 22) declared it could be taken.

There is hope—even in death (something that touches each one of us—our loved ones then ourselves). When this happens, it is the time to demonstrate our greatest devotion to the Lord—trusting in His promise for what is beyond the grave. We can say confidently as Job

Job 19:25–26 NASB95

25 “As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, And at the last He will take His stand on the earth. 26 “Even after my skin is destroyed, Yet from my flesh I shall see God;