An Honorable People

Genesis 23:1–4 ESV

1 Sarah lived 127 years; these were the years of the life of Sarah. 2 And Sarah died at Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham went in to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her. 3 And Abraham rose up from before his dead and said to the Hittites, 4 “I am a sojourner and foreigner among you; give me property among you for a burying place, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.”

What is honor?

Horizontal honor (mutual respect): honoring not only your brother, but those who you disagree with. Matt 5:46 “For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?”

Vertical honor (praise & highly esteem): not putting ourselves down, but lifting others up. Ro 12:10 “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”

Summarize Genesis 23:5-14

The Hittites respond to Abraham’s request, “You are a prince of God” As if they expected him to just take what he wanted.

Abraham bows (shows respect) and requests to purchase Ephron’s cave for its full value.

Ephron offers the full field the cave is in for free

Abraham insists on paying the full price of the field

See Ephron’s statement & Abraham’s action here:

Genesis 23:15–16 ESV

15 “My lord, listen to me: a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver, what is that between you and me? Bury your dead.” 16 Abraham listened to Ephron, and Abraham weighed out for Ephron the silver that he had named in the hearing of the Hittites, four hundred shekels of silver, according to the weights current among the merchants.

We are travelers in this world and it is not our home. We must deal fairly with the people we want to share the gospel with.

We must be a fair people.

v8-9. Don’t take advantage of others

We must be a respectful people.

v6-7. Don’t put others down

We must be a generous people.

v16. Always go above and beyond

We must be a loving people.

v2. Always remember that every person you encounter was created by God.