Post by Mark on Nov 14, 2006 5:28:17 GMT -8
It wasn’t necessary for Abraham to buy the land to bury Sarah. Rachel would later be buried along the side of the road near Beitlechem. Yet, there is a sense of need for protection of this one place for future generations. This would also be the resting place for the bodies of Abraham, of Isaac, Rebekah, Israel and Leah. The Hebron valley is a beautiful place. The shrine at Machpelah has been so built upon that it is difficult to imagine what it must have looked like to Abraham. Yet, it is located in the heart of the land which Adonai had promised to His friend and servant. The choosing of this ground for the tomb of His bride was very much driving a stake in the ground- of saying this is my home. The Hethites understood this and were in no way challenged or scandalized by it: thus demonstrating what sense of honor and respect Abraham carried with those around him.
It’s worth our taking the time to consider the process that Abraham and (we presume Eleazer) in finding the wife for Isaac. Why Abraham was not willing for Isaac to take a wife from the Canaanites is somewhat speculative. Was it because they were idolaters? No, that couldn’t be it because Laban was an idolater. Remember that his daughter Rachel stole from his household gods (Genesis 31:32). Yet, we know that there was something particularly disagreeable to the culture because of the damage the Canaanite wives affected on the relationship between Esau and his parents Genesis 28:8-9).
Many of us are often faced with decisions which linger of us. This story may provide some encouragement in how we go through such times, at least from the perspective of Eleazer, the servant. When faced with questions of direction and decision which are too much for us (either by volume or the seriousness) we can take heart that Adonai is infinitely concerned with our state of affairs as well.
Isa 30:20-21 KJV And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers: (21) And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.
The beautiful thing I like about this story is that the workings of Adonai are absolutely invisible to the characters involved. Eleazer prays as is the qualifications for the woman he is looking for was his idea. Yey, Adonai had certainly prepared her before. In fact, Abraham said that an angel of the Lord would be going in advance to prepare things. It is important that we maintain a prayerful outlook upon the decisions that we make; but not think that our tendency to overt-spiritualize things is what makes them to our advantage. Walk in obedience. Walk humbly and quietly before the Lord Your God and allow Him to quietly whisper in your ear.
Are you faced with a decision and feel like God is not speaking? He doesn’t have to tell you in order for His will to be accomplished in your life. He does that sort of thing from time to time, partially, I think, because we might tend to become arrogant (“God told me this... ain’t I holy”). God often directs us without our even realizing that we’re being directed.
Pro 16:1 KJV The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.
It’s worth our taking the time to consider the process that Abraham and (we presume Eleazer) in finding the wife for Isaac. Why Abraham was not willing for Isaac to take a wife from the Canaanites is somewhat speculative. Was it because they were idolaters? No, that couldn’t be it because Laban was an idolater. Remember that his daughter Rachel stole from his household gods (Genesis 31:32). Yet, we know that there was something particularly disagreeable to the culture because of the damage the Canaanite wives affected on the relationship between Esau and his parents Genesis 28:8-9).
Many of us are often faced with decisions which linger of us. This story may provide some encouragement in how we go through such times, at least from the perspective of Eleazer, the servant. When faced with questions of direction and decision which are too much for us (either by volume or the seriousness) we can take heart that Adonai is infinitely concerned with our state of affairs as well.
Isa 30:20-21 KJV And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers: (21) And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.
The beautiful thing I like about this story is that the workings of Adonai are absolutely invisible to the characters involved. Eleazer prays as is the qualifications for the woman he is looking for was his idea. Yey, Adonai had certainly prepared her before. In fact, Abraham said that an angel of the Lord would be going in advance to prepare things. It is important that we maintain a prayerful outlook upon the decisions that we make; but not think that our tendency to overt-spiritualize things is what makes them to our advantage. Walk in obedience. Walk humbly and quietly before the Lord Your God and allow Him to quietly whisper in your ear.
Are you faced with a decision and feel like God is not speaking? He doesn’t have to tell you in order for His will to be accomplished in your life. He does that sort of thing from time to time, partially, I think, because we might tend to become arrogant (“God told me this... ain’t I holy”). God often directs us without our even realizing that we’re being directed.
Pro 16:1 KJV The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.
