Devotional Genesis 23
<This is an excerpt from our devotional book for our current series through Genesis. Each book contains daily devotions and questions for reflection. For a free copy of our devotional books please visit our connect desk on Sundays, and to watch the accompanying sermon, click here>
Genesis 23:8-9
And he said to them, “If you are willing that I should bury my dead out of my sight, hear me and entreat for me Ephron the son of Zohar, that he may give me the cave of Machpelah, which he owns; it is at the end of his field. For the full price let him give it to me in your presence as property for a burying place.”
Abraham shows strength to persevere in hard times. His wife just died and he is in mourning but here in Genesis 23:8-9, we see him taking care of business. Funeral arrangements need to be made and Abraham takes on these duties himself. There is a great strength and dignity in standing up and doing what needs to be done through the worst possible circumstances. The contrast is the hysterical mess we could become if we succumb to the tyranny of our unbridled emotions. However, this is not to say that taking time to weep and mourn is not permitted as we see from verse 2.
Likewise, when Jesus met Mary and Martha at Lazarus’ grave he wept with them (John 11:35). Jesus knew he could and would resurrect Lazarus from the grave but instead of telling Mary and Martha to dry their eyes and that he’ll take care of the problem, he acknowledged their grief and joined them in their weeping. This is a tremendous example of compassion and patience for us as we counsel and encourage one another in the trenches of Christianity. We shouldn’t chastise our brothers and sisters for feeling real pain and sorrow. We shouldn’t make people feel foolish for feeling. These are sincere and natural responses to tragic events.
Now, while we may be in a state of natural and necessary dismay, this is not the static identity of a Christian. “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Cor 4:8-9). We do not mourn as those without hope (1 Thess 4.13). We still must honor and glorify God in our dismay. Our hope and sustenance are in him, and that will never run out. We can persevere because he will never let us go. Our prayer should be that it becomes second nature to run to God in hard and tragic times. If we’re abiding in Christ presently, then we will already be there when calamity strikes.
REFLECTION & NOTES
Do you try to fix problems, or do you work with and minister to people through their problems?
How can you be more present with people in need?
How do you respond in times of tragedy or crisis?