GENESIS 23
“I am an alien and a stranger among you. Sell me some property for a burial site here so I can bury my dead.”
<23:4 NIV>
A “sojourner” (KJV) or a stranger is a temporary resident. This was how Abraham considered himself in a land that was deeded to him. “By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.“ <Heb.11:9-10 NIV>
Likewise we must consider ourselves as strangers and pilgrims in this world, for so did all the faithful followers of God: “We are aliens and strangers in your sight, as were all our forefathers. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope.“ <1 Chr.29:15 NIV> “For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.“ <Heb.13:14 NIV>
Like Abraham, we too will be enticed by this world’s system to become complacent and give up from following God and settle down to a life of ease and sinful pleasure. “Sir, listen to us. You are a mighty prince among us. Bury your dead in the choicest of our tombs. None of us will refuse you his tomb for burying your dead.” <Gen.23:6 NIV>
The only purchase of property Abraham ever made in Canaan was for a grave. Although he was rich and had many possessions, he had no certain dwelling-place. Even though the land was his by promise, he graciously offered to purchase the plot needed for Sarah’s grave.
As believers, we must not become too involved with our earthly possessions, otherwise we will lose the vision of our soon coming Lord.
“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. 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.“ <Gen.25:5-6, 8 NIV>