The death of a significant family member is always a huge thing for a family to deal with. The funeral or burial is a very sobering ordeal for those closest. There is however a sense in which family who are left, continue on for the one who departed, carrying the legacy for the next generation. Whether we live a long or short life, acquire great wealth or not, the thing that matters is our testimony of the goodness and faithfulness of the Lord.
With the death of Abraham, the legacy of God's blessing and promises would carry on through Isaac, the son Sarah bore him and of course through many generations all the way to Christ! It's interesting to see that Abraham remarried after Sarah's death and his second wife Keturah was actually referred to as a concubine or a woman of lower status than his first wife. She bore him six more sons:
"Abraham had taken another wife, whose name was Keturah. She bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak and Shuah. Jokshan was the father of Sheba and Dedan; the descendants of Dedan were the Ashurites, the Letushites and the Leummites. The sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanok, Abida and Eldaah. All these were descendants of Keturah. Abraham left everything he owned to Isaac. But while he was still living, he gave gifts to the sons of his concubines and sent them away from his son Isaac to the land of the east. Abraham lived a hundred and seventy-five years. Then Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age, an old man and full of years; and he was gathered to his people. His sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah near Mamre, in the field of Ephron son of Zohar the Hittite, the field Abraham had bought from the Hittites. There Abraham was buried with his wife Sarah. After Abraham's death, God blessed his son Isaac, who then lived near Beer Lahai Roi."
Genesis 25:1-11 NIV
Abraham blessed the sons of Keturah with gifts before he died and sent them away from Isaac to the East. Perhaps this was so Isaac's family could entirely possess the promised land. It was very wise for Abraham to distribute his wealth while he was still living, avoiding conflict in the family after his death. God's covenant promise would come through Isaac and as the heir, he received the bulk of Abraham's wealth too.
Abraham died at 175 years of age, having lived a life of faith and obedience. One hundred of his years were spent as a foreigner in the land of Canaan that God had given him. God had been gracious toward him in so many ways but would now carry on the covenant with Isaac.
It is lovely to see that Ishmael and Isaac came together to bury their father. Perhaps Abraham instigated this before he died. We will hear more about Ishmael and his family tomorrow.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
We are so blessed by the account we have of Abraham's life. He surely lived by faith and brought You glory as he became the father of many nations. Thank You that His legacy has even reached me today:
"Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: "All nations will be blessed through you.""
Galatians 3:8 NIV
Thank You for the blessing that I have through Abraham and for the incredible testimony of his faithfulness. Lord I am challenged today to consider the legacy and testimony I am leaving behind to my family and friends. I ask that You help me to live in such a way that I will bless those close to me, not just with material things but with a clear picture of Your faithfulness, through the difference You make in my life.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen.
"For you are the fountain of life, the light by which we see."
Psalms 36:9 NLT
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Light and Life for Today
SpiritualeA daily devotional for your time alone with God. In an increasingly dark world, more than ever, we need to look beyond what we can see, past our present circumstances. In order to see the light and experience life as our Heavenly Father intended, I...
