The End of Faith’s Journey

Text: Genesis 25:1-10

Introduction

In this passage, we come to the last chapter of recorded history for Abraham’s life. In verse one, Abraham is approximately 140 years old. When we first met Abraham, in chapter 12, he was only 75 years old. Through the power of Scripture, we have traveled with Abraham for 65 years. What a wonderful journey of faith it has been!

We have seen the call of faith, the crisis of faith, the courage of faith, the commitment of faith, and the completion of faith.

Faith’s earthly journey is almost over, and the Holy Spirit does not simply state, “and he died,” as with some many other biblical epithets.

No, the Holy Spirit announces the departure of the “Father of Faith” (Rom. 4:11, “…that he might be the father of all them that believe…”) in grand style. After all, does not Scripture record that the only way to please God is to exercise faith (Heb. 11:6)?

Hebrews 11:6 KJV 1900

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

For the child of God, death is not a time of sorrow. While we may stand at the grave side of this mighty man of God and weep, the Scriptures record, “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints” (Psa. 116:15).

Psalm 116:15 KJV 1900

15 Precious in the sight of the Lord Is the death of his saints.

There is not a funeral dirge in this chapter, but rather, a victory shout!

As chapter 25 opens, you can almost hear Abraham singing, “I’m looking now across the river, to where my faith will end in sight. There’s just a few more days to labor, and I will take my heavenly flight” (words from 2nd verse of, Beulah Land, Squire Parsons).

We have seen the…

Call of Abraham (75 years old—Genesis 12:4).

Covenant of circumcision (Abraham is 99 and Sarah is 90—Genesis 17:24).

Birth of Isaac (Abraham is 100—Genesis 21:5).

Death of Sarah (Sarah is 127, which would make Abraham 137—Genesis 23:1).

Marriage of Isaac and Rebekah (Isaac is 40, which would make Abraham 140—Genesis 25:20).

Birth of Jacob and Esau (Isaac is 60, which would make Abraham 160—Genesis 25:26).

Death of Abraham (Abraham is 175—Genesis 25:7).[1}

John Phillips offers a moving epitaph for Abraham here. He writes the following:

It is a great thing to see a man stepping out boldly for God at the age of seventy-five, to see him cutting family ties, pulling up his roots already sunk deep into Mesopotamian culture, starting out on the pilgrim way. It is even more impressive to see him, a full century later, going on as strong for God as on the day when he first pulled out of Ur. It is a great thing to start well; it is even better to finish well. That is what Abraham did. [2]

Transition

As this chapter marks the end of Abraham’s earthly life, we find a life that ends well.

As Phillips stated, “It is a great thing to start well; it is even better to finish well.”

And that is what Abraham did. He could say with the apostle Paul, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (II Tim. 4:7-8).

Notice, by Abraham’s example, that the testimony in life will follow to a testimony in death. Notice…

I. Abraham’s Decision (v.1)

Abraham decided, at the age of 140, to marry again. What a blessing! He took a wife by the name of Keturah.

It is important to notice the usage of the word “took” (v.1). The Hebrew word used here, means “to take, get, seize.”

Verse 6 reveals that Abraham had concubines. A concubine was a part of the family, but did not have the privileges of the wife. For instance, to leave a wife, there must be a bill of divorcement. Concubines could simply be dismissed. Concubines were mostly kept for conjugal reasons.

Keturah was a one of Abraham’s concubines (I Chr. 1:32).

1 Chronicles 1:32 KJV 1900

32 Now the sons of Keturah, Abraham’s concubine: she bare Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah. And the sons of Jokshan; Sheba, and Dedan.

She was “promoted” to the position of wife and gained all its privileges. However, W.H. Griffith Thomas reminds us:

“Abraham in his solitude took to himself another wife, Keturah. At the same time the narrative makes it quite evident that she did not occupy the same rank of equality as Sarah did (ver. 6; 1 Chron. 1:32).” [3]

As his new wife, Keturah was…

A. A wife of marital blessing.

1. Her name.

Her name, Keturah, meant “incense.”

Because of his faithfulness, God blessed Abraham with another good wife at the end of his life. She probably had a sweet disposition about her that brought a fresh fragrance to Abraham’s life. This would be a stark contrast to Sarai, before she became Sarah.

NOTE: It has been said that one of the greatest testimonies of a great marriage is that a surviving spouse wants to marry again. Abraham knew that truth where God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone…” (Gen. 2:18a).

2. Her age.

While we are not told her age, we do know that she was still young enough to bear children.

God had done a special work for Sarah and Abraham to bear a child in their old age. They both were beyond their reproductive years and ability (cf. Gen. 17:17). We also know that, when God rejuvenated Abraham’s reproductive powers, Abraham kept them because, in this text, he fathered more children.

Therefore, since he was 140 at the time of taking her, at that time she was at least 50-60 years younger than Abraham.

B. A wife of spiritual blessing.

The title.

–The Holy Spirit called her Abraham’s “wife” (v.1). This is important, because God’s plan is for a man to be wholly committed to his wife. Although Sarah called Hagar a wife (Gen. 16:3), God never did. God still called Hagar, “Sarai’s maid” (Gen. 16:8).

2. The type.

In this marriage, we find another great prophetic “type” concerning the nation of Israel.

Remember: Sarah was a “type” of the Old Covenant of the law, and she had to die (chapter 23). Rebekah was a “type” of the church age and the New Covenant of grace (chapter 24). But it must be remembered that God still has a future plan for His people, Israel (cf. Rom. 11:1-2, 23-27). The church age is only a “parenthesis” in the timeline of history. “Keturah typifies Israel in a future day when the nation will once more become a channel of blessing to all mankind.” [4]

II. Abraham’s Descendants (vv. 2-4)

In these verses we find recorded that by Keturah, Abraham had six sons, seven grandsons, and three great-grandsons.

It is not by chance that the Holy Spirit records the names of these descendants. We are reminded again that all Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable (II Tim. 3:16).

It has been suggested that not only do their names reveal their character, but they also reveal Israel’s relationship to Messiah in the Millennium.

A. Zimram —means “song,” or “singer.” The Millennial reign will begin with songs of joy.

As John Phillips points out, Isaac Watts song, Joy to the World will become a reality.

B. Jokshan, Medan, and Midian — all three names mean “hard, difficult,” and indicate coming judgment. This indicates that they may have been rebellious sons.

This will occur even in the Millennium. During that time, there will still be human babies being conceived and born. As with all humans, they will be conceived in sin.

There will, however, be a difference in God’s judgment on sin now and then. Today, there is ample opportunity to repent and get right. Then, sin will be dealt with immediately and justly (cf. Isa. 65:20). For to sin in that day will be an open and rebellious act. They will not only rebel against the Gospel of Christ, but also against the glory of Christ.

Median is the father of the Midianites, who became the avowed enemies of God’s people. In Genesis 37:28, the term Midianite and Ishmaelite is used interchangeably. Ultimately, all of Keturah’s sons became aligned with the descendants of Ismael, rather than Isaac.

NOTE: John Phillips points out that even Godly Abraham had rebellious sons. He comments, “Just because a man is godly does not guarantee that his children will be godly. Abraham undoubtedly insisted on obedience in his household, but there was no way he could legislate holiness (emphasis added)” [4]

C. Ishbak —means “forsaken, empty, or abandoned.” Toward the end of the Millennial age, there will be even a great defection from the truth of the Glory of God (cf. Rev. 20:1-3, 7-10).

D. Shuah —means “pit, crying, humiliation.” This is precisely how the Millennial reign will end. Satan and his followers will be cast into the pit of hell. The humiliation and crying of their defeat will be heard.

III. Abraham’s Disbursements (vv. 5-6)

A. Disposal of his fortune (v.5).

Again, Abraham is demonstrating his faith in God’s promise that “in Isaac shall thy seed be called” (Gen. 21:12).

He was leaving nothing to chance or happenstance.

B. Dispersal of his family (v.6).

He was following the biblical admonition to be separate (cf. 2 Cor. 6:14-17).

He wanted nothing of temptation to be in Isaac’s way.

As already seen, Keturah’s sons had no spiritual insight. Thus, permitting continued worldly influence would provide potential harm to Isaac’s descendants.

Donald Barnhouse wrote…

“Abraham bore clear witness to the fact that the spiritual and the carnal or worldly cannot and must not be mixed…They could have no portion with Isaac, nor could they live where they might influence Isaac.”

NOTE: Parents should heed Abraham’s practice here and insulate their children from the pagan influences of the world.

This is the reason that it is, not only unwise, but dangerous to place one’s children in the governmental educational system. They are, by biblical definition, ungodly and God’s people should not go to them for training.

IV. Abraham’s Departure (vv. 7-10)

These verses give us a description of the event of Abraham passing from this mortal life. He is 175 years old. We met him when he was 75 years old. Therefore, we have accompanied him in his life for 100 years!

When we met him in chapter 12, he was being called by God to leave his homeland and his family. God promised him that his descendants would become a great nation. He promised him ownership and possession of much land.

Yet, here we are. None of the promised possession has been made sure.

Hebrews reminds us of this fact.

Stephen, in his message stated that Abraham had not received anything yet. He stated…

Acts 7:5 KJV 1900

5 And he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on: yet he promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child.

A. Time of his death. (175 years old)

“How you live determines how you will die. If we want to end life successfully, we must live life successfully.” (John Butler)

B. Place of his burial. (By his sons, in his only earthly possession).

W.H. Griffith Thomas comments, “The two sons, Isaac and Ishmael, met over their father’s dead body to pay the last tokens of respect. Death is the great healer of family differences and personal feuds” (emphasis added).[6]

–The place he had already arranged for. It is good sense to pre-plan your burial.

Conclusion

When we read these stories there is a character about them that is different from much of what we have read before.

They are stories about life as it is—old age, courting, marriage, death.

There is often no explicit mention of God, and sometimes there is not that much explicit theological teaching.

Nevertheless, throughout all the stories, we know God is present.

He is in the background as the one who gives promises and the one who, through such events, works them out. He is present and active.

If you should leave this world today and God were to record your life’s story for all to see, would your final paragraph be one of victory or regret?

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[1] Reid, Andrew. 2000. Genesis: Salvation Begins. Edited by Paul Barnett. Reading the Bible Today Series. Sydney, South NSW: Aquila Press.

[2] Phillips, John. 2009. Exploring Genesis: An Expository Commentary. The John Phillips Commentary Series. Kregel Publications; WORDsearch Corp., 195.

[3] Thomas, W. H. Griffith. 1946. A Devotional Commentary: Genesis. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

[4] John Phillips, Exploring Genesis, 196

[5] Ibid, 197

[6] Thomas, W. H. Griffith. 1946. A Devotional Commentary: Genesis. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.