January 3, 2021 – Genesis 23-28

Abraham and Sarah’s long lives were coming to an end. Chapter 23 tells about Sarah’s death and burial. Both were flawed individuals but by the grace of God (our only hope, also) they saw the mighty hand of God at work and the fulfillment of the promises he made to them. At the end of their lives, they could say, “We have known God, and we have seen his faithfulness.” With our own sin and with all that the world can throw at us, what a blessing, at the end of life, to be able to give such a testimony!

The son of promise, Isaac, was married to Rebekah, and “after the death of Abraham, God blessed Isaac his son” (25:11). “And Isaac prayed to the Lord for his wife, because she was barren. And the Lord granted his prayer, and Rebekah his wife conceived” (25:21), and twins were born: Esau and Jacob. Through much trouble –deceit, jealousy, famine, lack of faith on the part of Isaac, etc. – God reiterated the covenant promises to Isaac and promised, “I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you” (28:15). More would God do for Isaac but, surely, when he came to the end of his life, he could say with his parents, “I have known God, and I have seen his faithfulness.” We who rest in God and his promises that are found in Jesus Christ, we do not fear the end of earthly life because we know God and his faithfulness.