“Afterward Abraham buried his wife Sarah in the cave in the field of Machpelah near Mamre (which is at Hebron) in the land of Canaan.” Genesis 23:19 NIV
In facing the death of a loved one, we bury our loved ones in faith and love. Facing Sarah’s death and his own grief, Abraham expressed a great act of faith, an act of great princely faith. It involved far more than a mere business transaction. Abraham could have buried Sarah anyplace in the desert, just as any nomad would do. He could have even taken her back to their original home, Ur of the Chaldees, and buried her there. But three things kept him from doing this. Abraham believed the promises of God. God had promised the land of Canaan to Abraham, the land that is referred to as the promised land. Abraham believed that he and his seed, descendants, were to receive the land, that they were to be the permanent residents of the land. But the land was not yet his. Thus, when he sought a permanent burial ground for his family, he was acting in faith. He knew that he and his descendants would someday inherit the land and live there permanently. They would, therefore, need a permanent burial ground. In fact, several generations of Abraham’s family were to be buried at this site: Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Leah. Abraham and the other patriarchs looked for the land of Canaan to be given to them. This was their great hope. But behind this earthly hope was a heavenly hope that was far greater, the hope for a better land, a heavenly land that was eternal and perfect. (Hebrews 11:10) We too look forward to the same!
PRAYER THOUGHT
Lord, in our grief let us express faith and hope for our loved ones.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
Lord, as we process our grief through Your love for us, let us express great faith and love for our loved ones, as we surrender them to You. AMEN
INTERNATIONAL BIBLE READING ASSOCIATION (IBRA)
Esther 7:1-10
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