Abraham;'s Death and Burial (1)

The beginning of Genesis 25 is very likely not the chronological continuation of chapter 24, the chapter which ended with the marriage of Isaac and Rebecca. Often, those who explain this chapter say that after Isaac was married, Abraham needed help. He then married Keturah, whose name means “perfume.” The Lord gave him new vitality, according to the promise of chapter 17, and so he received another six sons from this marriage.

Although nothing is too wonderful for the Lord, other commentaries contain several objections against this thought. It is true, Isaac was a child of old age, but many authors do not believe that this is true of these children of Keturah. The first objection against it is that, if we accept the chronological order of the chapters, Abraham by now had become 137 years old. In the remaining thirtyeight years of his life he would yet beget six sons, whom he sent away before his death (verse 6).

Here it also speaks of the sons of the concubines, in the plural. Therefore the thought of many commentators is that besides Sarah, his real wife, Abraham also had the concubines Keturah and Hagar. In Romans 4:18-21 it is written that he was persuaded that the Lord would fulfill His promise through Sarah. His marriage with the concubines was according to the provisions in the Law of Hammurabi, according to Rev. J. C. Sikkel. Abraham did according to the customs of his days (Exodus 21:7-11; Deuteronomy 21:10-17).

So we conclude that it is possible that what is written in verses 1-6 had taken place before chapter 24. From these children have come forth the Arabic tribes. Although Israel was separated from all other nations of the world, here we see that Israel had bonds of blood with many nations. It is the same with the church. They are not of the world, but still they are in the world. They have also natural bonds with the children of the world, in which they have the task to speak well of the Lord and to be an example. At the same time there is the great danger that we mix with the world, as we see in the history of Israel. We see the same also in our days: so many young individuals and families who are raised under the truth have broken with their religious tradition.

Isaac received all Abraham's possessions, but the children of the concubines received a gift and were sent away to the east country, that is, the land east and southeast of the land of Canaan. This shows that Isaac was privileged above the others. These children were mature; they were not sent away with their mother, as had been done to Ishmael. So they must have been old enough to take care of themselves.

Abraham had put all these things in order before his death. We would say he had made his will, or testament, so that later there would be no disorder. So often in our days there is disorder regarding an inheritance. It should not be so among us. Parents should take care of these matters, not because we think we are able to rule after our death, for that we have to leave in the hands of the Lord, but we must take steps for the welfare of the widow or children who remain. Of course, we may also remember church and school, especially when there are great needs, as there are in some congregations and school societies.

The patriarch acted according to divine revelation, because Isaac had to be the heir. By this action the separation ordered by the Lord was further extended. First, Abraham was called and separated from his country and family. Then Lot left him and lived in Sodom. Now the separation came between Abraham's descendants. This shows divine election. The Lord chooses whom He will, and He rejects whom He will. This does not mean that divine mercy is taken away from all nations except Israel, because the Lord had promised him, “In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.” A remnant will be saved from all nations.

Abraham's age is also mentioned; he became 175 years old. He died in a good old age. He had become an old man and was full of years. This is, according to Scripture, a great privilege. When we read of the life given to Abraham, then we should not think first about all the tribulations and difficulties, but of the blessings which the Lord had bestowed upon him. They were manifold.

Moses mentions Abraham's age. Soon after the fall man reached the age of more than 900 years. Enoch became 365 years old, while Moses was “only” 120 years old; but then the Lord set the life span of man between 70 and 80 years. This is still the average time of grace we receive, although in centuries past it has been much less. It was a blessed age which the Lord gave to the father of the faithful. Solomon says, “The hoary head is a crown of glory” (Proverbs 31:16).

When we look back on the life of Abraham, then we must say that he walked in the way of righteousness. This is not to praise man; this was only possible by the grace of God. By faith he left the land of his nativity and went with Sarah to an unknown country. Truly, he was a stranger on earth, who did not really feel at home in any place. He was a stranger among men also, because he was so different, since he served the living God.

He walked in the ways of righteousness, in the righteousness of Christ, whose day he saw from afar. He saw Him with the eye of faith and rejoiced in Him. This faith gave direction to his life and was visible in his conduct, in word, and in deed. In Hebrews 11 time and again he is mentioned as a hero of faith. After a life spent in the service of the Lord, he gave up the ghost, as it is written of Stephen, but also of the Lord Jesus.

— to be continued —

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