01-69 The Death of God's Friend

Genesis 25:1-11

What does it mean to “walk by faith?” That question is at the heart of xty—what it means to live the Xn life. Every Xn is called to live by faith—even though you’ve never seen God the Father, JC the Son, HS, Heaven or Hell. Yet the human-inspired writers of Scripture (whom you’ve never met) advance thru the writings of God’s Word that followers of God base their present lives on invisible realities.

To walk by faith is what it means to have fellowship with the invisible God and to serve Him in this life. And the best definition of that faith is given by writer of Hebrews:

Hebrews 11:1 NASB95

1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

He then goes on to highlight the lives of men and women who demonstrate such faith—the faith...

Hebrews 11:6 NASB95

6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

What they did has become an encouraging example to Xns today—to step out into the unknown, even in the midst of threatening circumstances and having only God’s Word to depend on. This faith requires us to accept God’s Word at face value—even when it seems impossible that His promises will come true. This is the faith that justifies the sinner. This is the faith by which the most holy God accepts the sinner and grants forgiveness of his sin.

Thomas Schreiner (Faith Alone):

“It is a faith that stakes its life on God’s promises, a faith that puts its hope in God when everything seems to oppose what he has pledged. This is why Christians are those who believe their sins are forgiven (4:25), even though the evidence and proof of that forgiveness isn’t evident to anyone in the world. Nothing in life points to Christians as those who are specially favored by God, for they face suffering and the same kinds of difficulties that strike unbelievers. Still, believers trust that Jesus’ death and resurrection secure their forgiveness and justification (4:24 – 25).”

Romans 4:24–25 NASB95

24 but for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.

Abraham has been given the remarkable distinction of being called “the father of all who believe” (Rom 4:11). He is also called the “friend of God” (3x: 2 Chron 20:7; Is 41:8; James 2:23) b/c by faith he was reckoned to be righteous and on the basis of faith alone—he was accepted by God. This is what it means to be a friend of God—Accepted/approved.

Now, Abraham was not a “Christian” (that term is reserved for those who believe on LJC during the church age of the NT). But his faith in the promise of God’s Word is identical to those who call upon the name of the Lord for salvation today. It is belief that God’s Word means what it says…that the sinner is accepted by God, justified, forgiven of sins on the basis of the finished/completely sufficient work of JC at the cross.

Romans 4:21 NASB95

21 and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform.

That belief/trust/faith in the promise of God is why Abraham is the father of all who believe and that faith is the exemplar for anyone who wishes to be a friend of God today.

In Gen 25 (mid-way thru the book) we come to the end of the earthly existence of Abraham. His life, faith, deeds are recorded in Gen 12-25…what a remarkable journey this man embraced. In our passage today, we see the end of his life—and its something we’ve expected: sinners will die.

Ezekiel 18:4 (NASB95)

The soul who sins will die.

Romans 6:23 (NASB95)

23 For the wages of sin is death

Hebrews 9:27 NASB95

27 And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment,

But it is the sinner who believes on the LJC who will “live even if he dies” (Jn 11:25). Let’s walk thru these vv together I have 2 divisions for you in vv 1-11.

1. Life After Sarah

vv 1-6

vs 1… “another” calls to mind Abraham’s 1st wife… “the wife of his youth” (Sarah—died at 127). Her death would have brought many changes to Abraham’s family/household. One of the changes was another marriage/wife. We don’t have a strict chronology of the later years of Abraham’s life. Whether his marriage to Keturah was before or after Isaac’s marriage we can’t be certain. Nor can we be certain that Abraham waited for Sarah’s death before he married Keturah.

She is called his “wife” in vs 1 but referred to as a “concubine” in vs 6. This is also how she is mentioned in:

1 Chronicles 1:32 NASB95

32 The sons of Keturah, Abraham’s concubine, whom she bore, were Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak and Shuah. And the sons of Jokshan were Sheba and Dedan.

Hagar also bore that distinction of being Abraham’s wife (16:3) but the term “concubine” is plural—most likely referring to Hagar and Keturah. A concubine was a true wife but held secondary rank. Sarah would always have the distinction of being Abraham’s first wife but unwise/sinful choices would bring trauma into the home.

Here, Keturah became Abraham’s wife and she bore him 6 additional children (Isaac, Ishmael). Her name means “spices or incense” and b/c several of her sons are associated with the Arabian Peninsula, many Bible scholars believe that her children took very important roles in the international spice trade (import/export of frankincense, myrrh and other aromatic spices).

These 6 sons along with Ishmael’s 12 sons would eventually occupy parts of the Arabian Peninsula and even further to the east of the Gulf of Aqaba (Midianites) and north into modern day Iran. Other than this, there is a vagueness in identifying the history of the children/grandchildren.

Genesis does not record any interaction between Isaac (son of promise and heir) and his half-brothers thru Keturah. I don’t think we can surmise that there was any conflict b/t the siblings but Abraham believed that God’s promise was thru his son Isaac alone—that meant all the land would belong to him and his descendants not Abraham’s other children. This is why he sent Eliezer to search out a wife for Isaac.

So Moses tells us—vs 5 “all he had” He was the son of promise after all. But Abraham would not leave his other children (not doubt whom he loved) without some parting gifts to help them establish their new homes. He then “sent them away” (vs 6) to the land of the east (very broad description). This is all done to guarantee Issac’s future position and we should understand it to be a permanent dismissal.

You might be wondering about the spiritual conditions of Abraham’s other children and their descendants. What sort of spiritual heritage did they take with them as they set out from Abraham’s presence? Was there any hope for these? Of course...

Derek Kidner

Genesis: An Introduction and Commentary The Peoples Arising from Abraham (25:1–34)

In God’s plan, these sons were sent away that there might be a true home, in the end, to return to: see Isaiah 60:6ff.

Isaiah 60:6–8 (NASB95)

6 “A multitude of camels will cover you, The young camels of Midian and Ephah; All those from Sheba will come; They will bring gold and frankincense, And will bear good news of the praises of the Lord. 7 “All the flocks of Kedar [son of Ishmael] will be gathered together to you, The rams of Nebaioth [oldest son of Ishmael] will minister to you; They will go up with acceptance on My altar, And I shall glorify My glorious house. 8 “Who are these who fly like a cloud And like the doves to their lattices?

On the Day of the Lord which ushers in the Millennial Kingdom these groups will be participants and bring their praises to the house of the Lord. Even now, today, they may come as anyone—believing on LJC.

2. Death of a Saint

vv 7-11

Psalm 116:15 NASB95

15 Precious in the sight of the Lord Is the death of His godly ones.

The death of a saint is a good thing—tough for us who remain.

Biblical sainthood relates to anyone who has been justified by faith alone. There are NT saints, OT saints, church-age saints today. If you trust in JC you are saints. That’s not to say that we always act like saints—for we are progressing in sanctification. Abraham was a saint…didn’t always act like one but God justified him b/c he believed Him—that made him a saint.

Moses tells us vv 7-8b. 175—I think we would consider that to be a “ripe old age.” That’s nothing compared to the ages of people before the flood—700-900. At this point, some 500 years after the flood Abraham dies at the age of 175. Ages of people will continue to decline: Isaac—180; Jacob—147; Joseph—110.

Genesis makes no record of Abraham meeting his grandchildren, Jacob and Esau—he is still living when they are born (20 years after Isaac & Rebekah’s marriage). 15 years after that, he “breathed his last and died...” (ripe=good). For 100 years he lived as a sojourner and pilgrim/alien—a long experience that is explained as “satisfied with life” (lit full of days/years). This is the “good old age” God hd promised in 15:15.

Warren Wiersbe says “old age is good if you have the blessing of the Lord on your life.” Whatever your span of life is (and we know life on earth is limited)—we each have one—a span. Your days have been ordained...

Psalm 139:16 NASB95

16 Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them.

Job 14:5 NASB95

5 “Since his days are determined, The number of his months is with You; And his limits You have set so that he cannot pass.

Jesus adds that by worrying you cannot add a single cubit to your lifespan (Lk 12:25). Will that life bring you satisfaction and joy or frustration and regret? Being saved by faith means that you have peace with God. That frees you to live a life of service to Him who saved you by His own self-sacrifice. That accords nicely with Abraham who continued to walk by faith, and the same will be said about you as you too live by faith.

Moses tells us next “he was gathered to his people.” This is a euphemism for death. This expression is found 10x in OT. It doesn’t mean to be buried…b/c Abraham breathed his last, died, gathered…then buried (vs 9).

Moses writes this to affirm that there is an existence after death. In the OT—their understanding was that Sheol or Hades (in NT) was a temporary home for the spirits of the dead awaiting the resurrection (Rev 20:11-15).

Jesus explains that Hades has 2 sections to it: Luke 16:19-31. B/t the 2 sections is a great gulf that cannot be traversed (either way) and those 2 sections correspond to great joy/rest (in Abraham’s bosom) and unquenchable fire and pain. (Eph 4:8-10 might explain Christ receiving those in the paradise portion of Hades as He returned to heaven in glory).

Today, there is a permanent home for the saved in heaven and a permanent home for the unsaved in hell. One day, you too will be gathered to your people and if they were believers and you are a believer you will join them after death in the living fellowship of the redeemed. However, if you do not believe, you will be gathered to all those who have rejected the grace of God awaiting the Great White Throne judgment (Rev 20) and from which there will be everlasting punishment for rejecting LJC.

The difference b/t the 2—is faith in JC, God’s promises. Let me highlight 7 realities that we can trust in—which were demonstrated in Abraham’s 175 year life:

A. God works all things together for good to those who trust Him

Abraham realized that God’s promises focused more on his descendants than they did on him personally. He never did see the fulfillment of the land promise.

Hebrews 11:13 NASB95

13 All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.

But God’s promise to Abraham was so much greater than land to his descendants—to enter into a personal, saving relationship with the Creator God. Abraham endured much as he set out by faith and God indeed worked everything together for good for Abraham. Rom 8:28 promises believers today the same truth. Life is challenging, has difficulties of every sort—this is what it is like to live in a sin-cursed world. Paul assures the believer that God is at work in the circumstance of your life to bring you the truest good, ultimately being conformed to the image ofJC.

B. The comforts of the world can ensnare

Remember the account of Lot and Abraham? Lot choose to leave and head toward Sodom—eventually making that his home. This is how it is with the comforts and entanglements of the world—they come to us in degrees—a little at a time. Abraham shows us that we are called to be in the world but not of the world. you cannot escape living in the world (until death) but you must avoid the entrapments of the world.

1 John 2:15–17 NASB95

15 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.

C. God might call you to costly obedience

Abraham was severely tested by God in the account of his readiness to offer up Isaac. God’s command was not a random test but was designed to prove the strength of Abraham’s faith. This is what tests do…intended to strengthen our faith and all the more—that we would learn to trust God’s purposes. Even today, God might ask His people to obey Him in ways that would cost us severely.

Jesus explains:

Luke 14:26–27 NASB95

26 “If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. 27 “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.

Matthew 16:24–25 NASB95

24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. 25 “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

D. God never gives a test that we cannot endure

Psalm 103:14 NASB95

14 For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust.

The purpose of tests are not to find fault, to cause us to fail or to punish us. They are designed to grow us in Christlikeness. When God called Abraham to obey by offering up his only son, Abraham’s response was not to complain, argue, or bargain but a simple trust that God knows what He is doing and to fulfill HIs purpose He would even have to raise the dead (which had never been done before). But what God required of Abraham, He Himself also supplied in the ram caught in the thicket. So Abraham would learn that God wouldn’t given something beyond which he was able to endure.

E. God calls us to be His friends

Abraham was God’s friend. It is the most treasured relationship that you can ever have. That relationship stems from faith—trusting Him. He is eager to enter into fellowship with you and draws you into a deeper relationship as your faith grows.

Jesus affirms this in Jn 15;

John 15:14 NASB95

14 “You are My friends if you do what I command you.

This intimacy is a great and profound privilege that you are called to enter by faith.

F. God knows your doubts and rewards your faith

To say that Abraham walked by faith without ever doubting would be an injustice. Both he and Sarah expressed doubt when God promised that a child wold be born to Sarah in her old age (and Abrahams). They even tried to take matters into their own hands with Hagar—producing Ishmael. But God was gracious to them and indeed blessed them in spite of their doubts.

God knows there will be moments of doubt—a great tactic our enemy uses against us. God’s Word is given to us to bring us to greater sanctification—a stronger faith in His character

Hebrews 11:6 NASB95

6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

G. This world is not your home

The Xn faith stands in absolute contradiction to everything that the pagan world knows/understands. Values, pursuits, goals, aims of the world are not those of the believer.

Colossians 3:1–4 NASB95

1 Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.

Keep seeking the things above… why? B/c that where your Savior is. Set your minds on things above not on the earth…why? b/c this earth is not your home.

Philippians 3:20 NASB95

20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;

So keep seeking things above…why?

We will all have our lives and ministries evaluated by Christ (when Christ is revealed)

The enemy fiercely opposes God’s program

—Distorting the truth

—Discrediting the testimony of God’s people

—Destroying believers’ zeal to accomplish God’s work

—Diluting the effectiveness of Christ’s church—filling is with ungodly people who cause division and promote heresy.

What we’ve studied of Abraham’s life comes into brilliant focus when we see the death of God’s friend. May it be said of of us that each one will die at a good old age—being satisfied with life having accomplished the work God has set before us to do---for then we will be gathered to our people to enjoy the presence of the Lord always.