January 7, 2022 - Genesis 23-26

Ah! A wedding! The marriage of Isaac and Rebekah but, first, a bit more about this man Abraham. When Sarah died, so revered and respected was Abraham among the Hittites that, though he wished to pay for a burial spot, they would not allow it: “Ephron answered Abraham, ‘My lord, listen to me: a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver, what is that between you and me? Bury your dead’” (23:14-15).

Not only was Abraham blessed by the Hittites but, even more importantly, by the Lord: “Now Abraham was old, well advanced in years. And the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things” (24:1). And Abraham’s servants were loyal to him and trustworthy, surely out of appreciation and respect toward him, so that, when Abraham gave instructions for finding Isaac’s wife, “the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master and swore to him concerning this matter” (24:9). Even in death was Abraham blessed: “After the death of Abraham, God blessed Isaac his son (25:11). I remember the plaque, which reads, “Live so they don’t have to lie at your funeral.” Oh, my! Here is a life well lived, as should be ours. And to hear the welcoming words in heaven . . .

Welcome, thou well belov’d of God,

Thou heir of grace, redeem’d by blood;

Welcome with us thy hand to join,

As partner of our lot divine. –“Welcome, thou well belove’d of God,” Edward Godwin