“Genesis 25:7-11”

Friday, January 10, 2020

“These are all the years of Abraham’s life that he lived, one hundred and seventy-five years. Abraham breathed his last and died in a ripe old age, an old man and satisfied with life; and he was gathered to his people. Then his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, facing Mamre, the field which Abraham purchased from the sons of Heth; there Abraham was buried with Sarah his wife. It came about after the death of Abraham, that God blessed his son Isaac; and Isaac lived by Beer-lahai-roi.”

---End of Scripture verses---

“These are all the years of Abraham’s life that he lived, one hundred and seventy-five years.” (verse 7) “As Abraham was seventy-five years of age when he left Haran (Genesis 12:4), his sojourn in Canaan lasted just a century, one quarter of which was spent in the long trial of his faith before Isaac was granted to him. As, however, Esau and Jacob were born when Isaac was sixty years of age (Genesus 25:26), they would be fifteen at Abraham’s death, and probably had often seen their grandfather, and received his blessing.” (Ellicott’s Commentary for English readers)

“Abraham breathed his last...” (verse 8) Like all people eventually will and must do—rich or poor, young our old, male or female, wise or foolish. It has been estimated that the average person breathes about 8,400,000 breaths per year. This means that Abraham inhaled an astonishing 147,000,0000 times in his life, but he eventually exhaled for the final, fatal time and he expired. The King James Version says that he “gave up the ghost.” When Abraham breathed his last, his spirit (ghost) departed from his body and went back to the Father who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:7) The most important thing that Abraham did, or anyone could ever hope to do, was have his life right with God before the time of that great partition.

“And died in a ripe old age…” (verse 8) Abraham’s life was “full” of days and years, but more importantly than that, his days and years were filled with life and as he lived life to the “fullest”. He worked hard, loved intensely, touched lives deeply and served God ardently, and the Lord blessed him with, among other things, a good, long life. This was in fulfillment of God’s promise: “As for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you will be buried at a good old age” (Genesis 15:15). Abraham died “an old man and satisfied with life.” He had nothing left to accomplish, nothing more to prove, and only a few truly regrettable incidents in his 175 years on planet Earth.

“And he was gathered to his people.” (verse 8) “This phrase is constantly distinguished from departing this life and being buried. It denotes the reunion in Sheol with friends who have gone before, and therefore presupposes faith in the personal continuance of a man after death. Unger pointed out this expression is used of only six persons: Abraham (Genesis 25:8); Ishmael (Genesis 25:18); Isaac (Genesis 35:29); Jacob (Genesis 49:29-33); Aaron (Numbers 20:24); and Moses (Deuteronomy 32:50).” (C.F. Keil, Commentary on the Old Testament Volume 1)

“Then his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah…” (verse 9) Brothers are still brothers, even if they are half-brothers and even if they have had a history of hostility. Isaac and Ishmael reunited amicably, at the very least, out of love and respect for their venerated father. “Isaac was now seventy-five years of age, and Ishmael eighty-nine, and the two old men, with their enmity long over, met as friends at their father’s burial. While Keturah’s sons were apparently sent far away into Arabia, Ishmael at Paran (Genesis 21:21) would be at no very great distance from the well Lahai-roi, which was Isaac’s favourite residence.” (Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers) The burial place at the cave of Machpelah became a family tomb as the body of Abraham was reunited with the body of Rebekah.

Please read Genesis 25:12-18 for tomorrow.

Have a great day!

- Louie Taylor

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