Genesis

Three times in the opening two verses of this chapter, the circumstance of Isaac's birth is attributed to God - "as (Yahweh) had said," "as He had promised," "at the appointed time of which God had spoken to him." We are not to mistake the divine character, and neither did Abraham or Sarah. "And Sarah said, “God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh with me” (v6). At age 100, Abraham had already lived a full life. He would live another 75 years until his grandsons (Jacob and Esau) were 15 years old. But he had waited 25 years for the fulfillment of the promise God made to him when he first left Haran after his father Terah died at age 205 (Gen 11:32). His faith and patience were rewarded, and when Isaac would have been three years old, and Ishmael 17, the family celebrated his becoming a person. Weaning would have meant separation from his dependency on his mother, and Isaac would have been presented with rice to eat (v8). The contrast is stark in the following verses as Hagar soon considers that her son will die (v16). This is not God's plan, however, as He again (Gen 16:10-12) promises a great future for her son Ishmael (v18). This, too, is part of God's divine plan for His chosen people.

This is considered one of the most controversial and misunderstood passages in the Bible. God tested Abraham and said: "Take now your son, your only one, whom you love, Isaac, and go forth to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.” (v2). How could God command the human sacrifice of Abraham's own son? Even more inconceivable is Abraham's response: "So Abraham rose early in the morning ... and went to the place of which God had told him." (v3). Moreover, Isaac understood what was happening and went along willingly: "Then Isaac spoke to Abraham his father ... And he said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” And Abraham said, “God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” So the two of them walked on together." (vv7,8). In the aftermath, God's response is even more confusing, "By Myself I have sworn, declares Yahweh, because you have done this thing and have not spared your son, your only one, indeed I will greatly bless you" (vv16ff). Abraham is actually credited for having sacrificed Isaac, even though he ultimately wasn't required to. But Abraham demonstrated his willingness to be "that" obedient. How cruel?! And how are we supposed to interpret this?
How wonderful that God gave us the entire Bible. John's gospel makes Abraham's test of sacrificing his only son, whom he loved, perfectly clear. This was always intended to be Abraham's opportunity to know the depth of God's love for him, and our first clear prophesy of the coming Messiah:
"On the next day, John again was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as He walked, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” (Jn 1:35-36 *read 19-34 for even better clarity). “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."(Jn 3:16) "The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand." (Jn 3:35).
"(Know) that you were not redeemed with corruptible things like silver or gold from your futile conduct inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ." (1 Pe 1:18–19).
Don't think God won't test you too. "The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But Yahweh tests hearts." (Proverbs 17:3). "Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction." (Isaiah 48:10).

When Abraham's wife Sarah died, the fact that he possessed no land became a problem. He had nowhere to bury his wife. So, after mourning, Abraham negotiated for the purchase of a burial site. The cave Abraham purchased eventually became the burial site of the Patriarchs. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph would later be buried at the cave of Machpelah (v9), as would three of the Matriarchs (Sarah, Rebecca, and Leah). The sons of Heth (the Hittites) occupied the region and owned all of the local land. A descendant of these people, Uriah the Hittite, later served as an elite soldier in the army of King David (2 Sam 23:39, 1 Chr 11:41). Abraham's negotiation would have been a ceremony in front of the gates of Hebron where the men gathered (vv3,7,10,18,19). After Abraham publicly announced his intention to purchase a burial site (v4), the Hittites feigned humility, offering the best of their burial sites to Abraham for free (v6). Abraham returned the honor by bowing and pleading to let him pay Ephron, the son of Zohar, the full price for the cave that he owned (vv7-9). Ephron would have then made a show of humbly declining to accept payment, just as the ritual demanded (vv10-11). Again, Abraham bowed, declaring he would pay for the land with silver (vv12-13). Finally, Ephron declines payment again, but this time, he establishes the worth of the land, 400 shekels, and tells Abraham to bury his dead (v15). This concluded the public portion of the transaction, satisfying for posterity the legitimate deed transfer between Abraham and Ephron (vv17-18).

Everything in the Bible is intentionally, exactly the way it is. For instance, going consecutively from chapters that have 33 verses, to 38, to 18, to 34, to 24, to 20, to SIXTY-SEVEN verses in Genesis Chapter Twenty-Four. It could easily have become two, or even three smaller chapters. Why therefore, would it be significant that this lengthy chapter stay together? The chapter begins, immediately following the death and burial of Sarah, the mother of the Hebrew people. 67 verses later it ends with Isaac’s comfort after her death. Four thousand years later, it may be easy to dismiss the details of the response to Sarah’s death. But chapter 24 is FAR more than it seems. In ONLY 67 verses, it declares God’s full plan for mankind.

Yes, Genesis Twenty-Four is about Abraham’s response to the death of Sarah, and mourning for the loss of his beloved.

• THE OATH/COVENANT ISSUED (Gen 24:1-4, 9)//(Gen 49:10)
• THE BURDEN LAID ON THE RECEIVER OF THE MESSAGE NOT THE MESSENGER (Gen 24:5-8)//(Jn 1:23)
• THE SERVANT DEVOTES HIMSELF ON BEHALF OF HIS MASTER INTO THE DESERT (v10,56)//(Jn 1:23)
• TRUST PLACED IN YAHWEH FOR THE DELIVERY OF THE BRIDE TO THE SON (Gen 24:12)//(Jn 3:27–29)
• THE SON’S FIRST INTRODUCTION AT THE WELL, AND LIFE-GIVING WATER (Gen 24:17-20)//(Jn 4:10–14)
• PROCLAIMING THE DESIRE OF THE FATHER AND THE SON (Gen 24:35-44)//(Ephesians 5:32)
• THE APPEAL MADE TO THE PEOPLE OF THE MASTER (Gen 24:48-49)//(Mic 6:8)
• DECLARATION THAT YAHWEH HAS DETERMINED THE BRIDE FOR THE SON (Gen 24:50-51)//(Jn 6:37)
• THE TREASURE PRICE PAID TO AND FOR THE BRIDE (Gen 24:53) //(Eze 16:11–14)
• THE URGENCY TO RETURN TO THE MASTER (Gen 24:54,56)//(James 4:13–14)
• THE EFFORTS TO DELAY (Gen 24:55)//(Mt 25:1–5ff)
• HESITATION TO RESPOND, GIVING THE DECISION TO THE BRIDE (Gen 24:57)//(Acts 13:46)
• THE SUBMISSION OF THE BRIDE (Gen 24:58)//(Revelation 19:7)
• THE RETURN (Gen 24:61-65)//(Revelation 19:8-9)
• THE PRESENTATION OF THE BRIDE (Gen 24:66)//(2 Corinthians 11:2)
• THE OATH/COVENANT/PROPHESY FULFILLED (Gen 24:67a)//(Matthew 9:15)
• DIVINE COMFORT (Ge 24:67b)//(1Thes 4:17)

But Genesis Twenty-Four is REALLY about God’s response to the death of man (through sin), His mourning for the loss of His beloved, and His preparation for the coming comfort when the Bridegroom (Christ) takes His bride (the church).

(2 Corinthians 4:3) (Romans 1:19) (1 Corinthians 15:22) (Revelation 22:17)