The Deaths of Sarah and Abraham
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The Death of Sarah and Abraham
The Death of Sarah and Abraham
Read
Note the age of Sarah and if you desire, write it in the margin of your Bible. Isaac would be about 37 years old at this time. Discuss.
What was Sarah’s legacy? Look at the following and list what you learn.
By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised.
In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior. Your adornment must not be merely external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; 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. 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; 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.
Tell me, you who want to be under law, do you not listen to the law? For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the bondwoman and one by the free woman. But the son by the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and the son by the free woman through the promise. This is allegorically speaking, for these women are two covenants: one proceeding from Mount Sinai bearing children who are to be slaves; she is Hagar. Now this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free; she is our mother. For it is written, “Rejoice, barren woman who does not bear; Break forth and shout, you who are not in labor; For more numerous are the children of the desolate Than of the one who has a husband.” And you brethren, like Isaac, are children of promise. But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now also. But what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the bondwoman and her son, For the son of the bondwoman shall not be an heir with the son of the free woman.” So then, brethren, we are not children of a bondwoman, but of the free woman.
Note: Kiriath-arba is just an earlier name for Hebron. Find it on your map. Also locate Mamre. What is the distance?
Look at Abraham’s response (v 2). What does this tell you about him and Sarah? (Note: This is the first time in scripture that someone is noted has weeping.)
Read Genesis 23:3-18
What we see here is a business transaction. Business was usually conducted within a the gate or near the gate of a town. Everyone sat together and various people would speak to the business they needed to conduct as they had an opportunity. The sons of Heth are obviously the leaders in charge of leading the business dealings. You could say they are the chairmen of the gathering leading the proceedings. Things sound very polite, but this does not mean that they were as polite as they sounded. We will see this shortly. Abraham addresses the sons of Heth regarding the property of Ephron, not because he did not know that Ephron was there, but because this formal manner was the business etiquette of the day. We will briefly look at some of the important aspects of this deal. Keep in mind that this is most likely the same day of Sarah’s death as bodies did not keep in that climate. They required quick preparation and burial due to the hot, arid climate.
How does Abraham refer to himself in v 4? God has promised Abraham all this land, so why does Abraham refer to himself as such?
What does their remarks in v 6 signify to you regarding their opinion of Abraham?
Why do you think Abraham insisted on paying for the land when it was offered to him for free? Are you ever suspicious when something is offered to you for free? Why or why not? Is Abraham’s situation the same or different from today?
Much like today, there is something usually hidden behind an offer of free merchandise. If Abraham had accepted the land from Ephron, he would have held a certain obligation to Ephron at a later date for service. Abraham wants to own the cave outright with no future obligation.
However, as polite as Ephron was, he was a shrewd (and greedy) businessman. If Abraham were to purchase only the cave, based on the laws of the land, Abraham would own it outright and not owe anything further. However, by law, if Abraham purchased the entire field, there were certain continuing services the buyer had to render to the seller. These laws were found when excavations were done in present-day Turkey clarifying this passage of scripture.
Ephron is not willing to sell just the cave. He is wanting to sell the land around it with it due to the reasons mentioned above. However, he is not done taking advantage of Abraham. Remember, Abraham is in a bind. He owns no land of his own and he needs to get Sarah buried quickly. So Ephron lists a price of 400 shekels of silver knowing Abraham needs to conduct his business quickly and has already stated he would buy this piece of property. Lets look at some other business dealings in scripture to see if this is a fair price or not.
However, the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price, for I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God which cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.
2 Samuel
“I bought the field which was at Anathoth from Hanamel my uncle’s son, and I weighed out the silver for him, seventeen shekels of silver.
Micah then said to him, “Dwell with me and be a father and a priest to me, and I will give you ten pieces of silver a year, a suit of clothes, and your maintenance.” So the Levite went in.
Was 400 shekels fair market value?
Why do you think Abraham paid it without trying to bargain?
Abraham was rich. He was also grieving and needed to get Sarah taken care of. When a person is in grief, they do not feel like fighting or bargaining. There brain literally is in shut down. Abraham just wanted to complete the business and get his beloved wife buried.
For a final note, read “The Cave of Machpelah” from the Archaeological Bible and “Buried in the Cave of Machpelah” from Chronological Bible.
Read Genesis 23:19-20
Are there any clues in this passage of why Abraham chose that piece of land?
It appears to be within view of his normal residence (Mamre). Perhaps it was a way of feeling like she was nearby. Imagine the grief Abraham must have felt. He and Sarah had been together for a lot of years.
Read
Why do you think Abraham married again?
He probably really missed Sarah for one thing. For another, a wife served a really good purpose in those days in taking care of his needs such as sewing, cooking, etc… As he got older, he probably needed someone to take care of him more. (There were no nursing homes or home care services in those days.)
Concubines were not paramours. They were wives taken more out of convenience. That is to produce children or take care of other needs.
God is still blessing Abraham. How many more sons does God provide him in his old age?
Six sons. This does not mean that no daughters were born as daughters were not often listed.
Who got what when Abraham died?
Read article from Chronological Bible, “The Close of Abraham’s Life.”
Why do you think Abraham sent the other children away from Isaac?
Read
How old did Abraham live to be? How old was he when Sarah died? How many years after Sarah did Abraham live?
175 years old when he died. Was 137 years old when Sarah died. He outlived Sarah by 38 years. Long enough to desire to have another wife.
Abraham was 140 years old when Isaac married. He was 160 years old when Jacob and Esau were born. How many years did Abraham have to appreciate his grandchildren?
15 years.
How did Abraham feel about his life? (see v 8) What do you think attributed to this feeling? (also see below)
The righteous man will flourish like the palm tree, He will grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Planted in the house of the Lord, They will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still yield fruit in old age; They shall be full of sap and very green, To declare that the Lord is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.
Who buried him? Does this surprise you? Why or why not? What kind of reception do you think there was?
What is Abraham’s legacy? You may wish to read through the following verses: ; ; Hebrews 11:8-19
See list on page 95 of Wiersbe commentary.
Read Here Is Love final statement about Abraham.
What does v 11 tell you about Isaac?
What does v 11 tell you about Isaac?
He must live a life in dedication to God.
Read
How many tribes came from Ishmael? What does that remind you of?
How old was Ishmael when he died?
What happened to Abraham when he was 137 years old?
Locate on your map the places stated in verse 18. What do you think it meant by stating “he settled in defiance of all his relatives?
Read
How old was Isaac when he married Rebekah? How old was he when he lost his mother?
I wish we could finish out Isaac’s life as it is only a couple chapters, however it is too intertwined with Jacob’s and I would prefer to not start there until we are ready to proceed. This is the best place to rest in this series. Not much is told about Isaac. We know he made the same mistake his father did in calling his wife his sister and jeopardizing her. That is a generational sin, that is sins of the father being carried down to younger generations. We do know that Isaac lived a blessed life and a long life, though we do not know his exact age when he died. However, his life was not perfect. It was blessed, but it had its heartaches also. A son who married Canaanite women, another son who cheats his brother out of his birthright, and finally he has to send his youngest son off to another land and never sees him again before he dies. Life is not perfect, all due to the consequences of sin. However, God gives blessings and strength and most of all promises that we will see a better day. (If time, read Ganz, pgs 269-271 for a recap of Isaac’s life).
Concluding thoughts: Read Bible Study Magazine Week 7 and 8.
God bless you in your journey! May God’s promises keep you focused on the right course. May His blessings continue to give you strength and endurance along the way.
