Show Your Love

Genesis 23

What will you do for your loved one even when they are dead? Abraham demonstrated his love for Sarah in that when she was even dead, he went at great length to secure a burial place for a fee. The people of the land would have given it to Abraham for free but he insisted on paying for the burial place. Love is demonstrated in our actions.

There are 4 important lessons from this chapter:

#1. The mercies of God keep us. (Genesis 23:1-2)

Sarah lived and died at a ripe age of 127 years. Obviously, the Lord granted her a long life and prosperity. She could have died earlier but the mercies of God kept her from even Abimelech who nearly took her from Abraham. The Bible says in the book of Psalm 91:16 that with long life, God will satisfy us and show us His mercies. God is gracious to grant the righteous long life, bear children and keep a family. It’s a gift of God. It is not our might but by the power of the Most High God.

#2. Love is demonstrated in our expenses. (Genesis 23:2)

After the death of Sarah, Abraham mourned and wept for his wife. Abraham loved his wife of many years to show his love for her. Even though he was the father of the faith, he was human too. He showed his emotional feelings for his deceased wife. There is nothing wrong with expressing our emotions when death strikes. Emotion is a gift from God. It shows that we are human. David wept when he came and saw the Armalekites had ransacked his homebase and taken his wives away. Great men and women in the Bible were human as we are. Do not fake that you don’t have feelings.

#3. Love is demonstrated in our expenses. (Genesis 23:3-20)

The next thing we notice is that Abraham sought for a place to bury the wife. He went to the people of the land to seek and buy a place to bury Sarah. He wanted a well befitting place for her. They wanted to give it for free but he paid for it. Love costs even in death. Abraham sacrificed his best for his wife even in death. He didn’t take it for free but paid for the burial place. We must give our best to our loved ones. What he paid for will be of immense benefit to him and his descendants tomorrow. We must be futuristic in our thinking like Abraham.

#4. Love is demonstrated in our respect. (Genesis 23:19)

Finally, Sarah was buried in the land bought by Abraham. She was given a final respect to rest well. He buried her in the land given by God to show that his descendants will possess it in future. In almost all cultures, the dead are given a befitting burial. We show respect to the dead because the Bible teaches that we shall meet them again when they resurrect.

We learn in Genesis 23 that we must be ready to go a great length to sacrifice for our loved ones. Abraham bought a good land to bury his wife of many years. He rejected the idea of taking it for free. It cost him a fortune to buy the land and bury his wife and keep it forever. What Abraham did in the present and future benefits.

Take Action: What are you willing to sacrifice for your loved ones?