Chapter Summary 23 - 24
Sarah died and was buried (Gen. 23). The story is immediately followed by the report of finding a bride for her son, Isaac (Gen. 24). Placed side by side, these stories remind us of the continuity of sacred history. One generation dies; another takes its place. Each generation has its role in carrying out God’s grand plan of redemption. Particularly notable in Genesis 24 is the quiet faith of the unnamed servant, and clear evidence that God actively arranges circumstances so that His purposes are fulfilled.
KEY VERSE:
Genesis 24:27(KJV) “And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master’s brethren.”
NOTE: Be aware of the kindnesses of God in the circumstances of your own life.
PERSONAL APPLICATION:
Prayer and providence operate in harmony. Ask God for guidance, and expect Him to supervise the circumstances of your life.
THE HITTITES
The great Hittite Empire lay far to the north of Canaan. These ethnic Hittites were the descendants of pioneers from the north who had settled in Canaan long before, and had established small city-states.
“AN ALIEN AND A STRANGER”
(Genesis 23:4). A resident alien had limited rights, but not the right to own land. This in part explains the exorbitant price (equivalent to perhaps $50,000!) charged Abraham for a burial plot.
“I GIVE YOU THE FIELD”
(Genesis 23:11). The offer was not sincere, but part of a well-established negotiating ritual followed in the patriarchal era. The reference to “the trees within the borders of the field” adds another authentic touch. Hittite land contracts characteristically specify trees. However, one Rabbi Scholar has suggested that the offer to give Abraham the land was an attempt to get him to identify with the people of the land, rather than maintain his identity as an alien and stranger. Abraham’s purchase meant Sarah would be buried in Jewish soil, and thus identified forever with the promises God made to Abraham and his descendants.
A WIFE FOR ISAAC
(Genesis 24:1-4). The O.T. consistently calls for God’s people to marry within the family of faith (Deut. 7:3-4; 1 Kings 11:4; Ezra 9). Paul emphasizes the same thought when he says a person one marries “must belong to the Lord” (1 Cor. 7:39). Both partners in marriage must be committed to the Lord if they are to experience the blessings God intends to bring through marriage—and if each is to be responsive to God’s known will.
THE SERVANT
The servant of Gen. 24 has drawn much attention. Some, noting he is never named, consider him a type of the Holy Spirit. Others assume he is Eliezer, Abraham’s chief steward. If so, he is one of Scripture’s most admirable men. His own hope of inheriting Abraham’s wealth was dashed by the birth of Isaac (15:2). Yet here he faithfully carries out a mission that calls for selfless service to the one who succeeded him! To set self aside to serve others is a singular spiritual achievement.
ANSWERED PRAYER
Genesis 24 tells us the servant prayed three times: to request a sign (vv. 12-13), to praise God for leading (vv. 26-27), and to give thanks for the fulfillment of his mission (v. 52). Note the change of posture. He stands to make his request, bows his head at evidence of God’s leading, but bows “down to the ground” when it is clear God enabled him to complete his assignment. Answers to prayer deepens our awe of God too. As we see God work in our lives, we are moved to praise and to worship.
HISTORY AND OVERVIEW OF CHAPTERS 23-24
TERAH’S DESCENDANTS
The following chapters focus on the specific family from which Israel comes, the immediate family of Terah, paying special attention to Abram. “Abram” will later have his name changed to “Abraham” (look back at 17:5).
Genesis 23:1–20 Upon the death of Sarah, Abraham buys a cave in Hebron as a burial place. By acquiring this land, Abraham confirms that his descendants are to be associated with the land of Canaan, as God had already promised.
Genesis 23:2 Kiriath-arba means “town of four”. It was later known as Hebron.
Genesis 23:4 “I am a stranger and a sojourner with you” Despite God’s repeated promises that Abraham’s descendants will possess all the land of Canaan, after 62 years in the land Abraham has no permanent location to call his own. The NT explains that Abraham chose to go on living in tents because he was looking for a city “whose builder and maker is God” (Heb. 11:9–10).
Genesis 23:6 The Hittites recognize Abraham’s special relationship with God and said of him “thou art a mighty prince among us.”
Genesis 23:10 Although “Ephron” is present, Abraham seeks permission from the Hittite population as a whole—either because Abraham himself was not a Hittite or because the transfer of property required the involvement of a third party.
Genesis 23:11–16 Although Ephron first offers the field and cave to Abraham for free; this may not have been his true intention. The second time he offers it, he casually mentions what he would consider a fair price (v. 15). It is important that Abraham buy the property because that ensures that he has full legal title to the burial plot. Comparisons with 1 Kings 16:24 and Jeremiah 32:9 suggest that four hundred shekels of silver was a high price, although this cannot be known for sure, since the weight of a shekel could vary according to the weights current among the merchants.
Genesis 23:17–19 According to what we learned in Gen. 13:18 Abram relocated near Hebron (also known as Kiriath-arba, setting up his tent by the “oaks of Mamre.” Since one of Abram’s allies is “Mamre the Amorite” (14:13). The oaks or (the altar) are probably named after him. At this time, Hebron was a major settlement in the Judean hills, covering between six and seven acres.
TWO BIBLICAL FIRSTS.
Genesis 23:19
1. The burial of Sarah is the first biblical record of a burial.
2. A braham’s purchase of the burial plot is also the first biblical record of a business transaction.
Genesis 23:20 Abraham’s purchase of the “field” and “cave” meant that his descendants would always own this land. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Rebekah, and Leah would later be buried in this cave.
DESCENDANTS
Genesis 24:1–67 Abraham sends one of his servants to his homeland in Mesopotamia to find a wife for Isaac. The journey was about 550 miles and would have taken the servant about 21 days.
Genesis 24:2–6 Abraham did not want Isaac to marry a Canaanite, fearing this would draw him away from the Lord. From verse 3 onward, the Canaanites are frequently portrayed as wicked. In spite of having left Haran in northern Mesopotamia almost a hundred years earlier, Abraham refers to it as “my country” (v. 4). He emphasizes, however, that Isaac should not return there (v. 6); Isaac’s future is in Canaan.
Genesis 24:9 “the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham.” Since striking one’s thigh was possibly understood as a sign of remorse and submission, the placing of one’s hand under the thigh of another may have indicated submission to that person’s strength and authority.
Genesis 24:10 “Mesopotamia” (literally means “between the rivers”) was the Greek title for the region between the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers. Here it refers to only northwestern Mesopotamia. The “city of Nahor,” probably identified with “Nakhur,” which was near Haran.
Genesis 24:12–14 The servant (like Abraham) had faith in the Lord and prayed for guidance. The conditions he had set revealed that he sought a wife who was generous and caring. The specific request in v. 14 is not the ordinary way to ask for guidance. Nevertheless, God graciously honored the request.
Genesis 24:16 The description of Rebekah as “the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her” confirmed that she was a virgin, creating the expectation that she may well be the one God intended to be Isaac’s wife.
Genesis 24:27–28 God’s swift answer to the servant’s prayer prompted worship and praise.
FAMILY TIES
Genesis 24:29-51 Laban took responsibility for his sister Rebekah. Apparently their father, who was still alive, was unable to do so.
Genesis 24:50–51 Rebekah’s brother and father acknowledged the providential nature of these events. God clearly intended that Rebekah should become Isaac’s wife.
Genesis 24:53 The gifts confirmed what the servant had earlier said about Abraham’s wealth.
Genesis 24:63 “…Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming.” This is another divinely directed event, allowing Isaac to be the first to meet Rebekah when they arrived.
Gen. 24:65 “she took her veil and covered herself.” It was customary for a woman to cover her face with a veil during the period of betrothal, when she was committed to be married.