Title [Genesis 23:1-9] Sarah's Death
Title: Sarah's Death
Hebrews 9:27 says, “It is appointed for man to die once.” It means that not everyone can escape physical death. Sarah also died at the age of 127, and the text of her burial is recorded in the text. Today, I would like to introduce some lessons from events related to Sarah's death.
1. Let's become believers who are preparing to die.
2. Abraham was recognized and respected by the local people. We, too, must become such saints.
Abram, mourning the death of his wife, went out to find a burial place. They asked the locals for a place to be buried. The response of the residents was very kind and you can see that they were willing to comply with Abraham's request. In particular, verse 6 of the main text is an important lesson. “Listen, my lord, for you are a prince of God among us; choose the best of our tombs and bury your dead, for none of us will forbid you to bury your dead in his own tombs. This verse shows that Abraham lived as God's people. Paul calls us “the fragrance of Christ” (2 Corinthians 2:15). The scent is loved by everyone. However, we need to examine ourselves to see if we are really being recognized by our neighbors. It may be because the perception of the church is wrong, but it is frustrating that neither the church nor the members are welcomed by the residents. I hope you will reflect on where you went wrong and live a life that is recognized even now.
As he said to Abraham, if you can hear the words, “You are truly a man of God,” then all your problems will be solved. Evangelism can have a good influence on others only if we receive recognition first. The Lord's words, "Let them see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven" is an important word that also applies to evangelism (Matthew 5:16). Abraham was recognized and respected as a prince of God by the natives, and we hope to become such people as well.
3. We must become believers who imitate the virtues of Abraham.
Being recognized and respected is never easy. Moreover, it can be said that Abraham's position as a migrant (4) represents what his life was like to rise to such a position.
① Abraham was very humble. There were numerous possessions and servants, and hundreds of trained warriors (Genesis 14:14). Nevertheless, Abraham was very humble. When seeking a burial place, he “bows down” before the Hittites (7.12). Humility is the supreme virtue. Leaders need humility to bow down. The more horns on the ugly calf's buttocks, the stiffer the neck. There is no shame in bending over. They can become more recognized and respected. I often think that it would be good for those in charge of the country to be more humble. How can he be recognized and respected when he is right and the people express it as if he is foolish? I'm really sorry. Church members need not say more. Humility is the virtue of a believer. The Bible as a whole teaches humility. Jesus, whom we believe in, said, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart” (Matthew 11:29). I hope that we will be saints who always bow down in humility both inside and outside the church.
②Abraham was not greedy. Being greedy does not mean owning a lot. Rather, they are often destroyed because of greed. Abraham lived without greed enough to make concessions to his nephew, but the image of indifference is also revealed in the text. Ephron, the owner of the fields and caves in Machpelah, tried to give it to Abraham without payment. Nevertheless, Abraham paid the fair price, 400 shekels of silver, to own the fields and caves. Koreans love balls. But believers should never do that. Knowing how to pay a fair price is an important virtue. Such a person is respected wherever he goes. Just as we can be respected when we act with a willingness to pay the price without being greedy with each other, we must also have an attitude to repay God. This is another very important virtue. From the above we have learned an important lesson. We earnestly hope that we will all be recognized as people of God through a life of humility and indifference even though we prepare for death every day.