We see in the opening that life went on for Abraham after the death of Sarah. He remarried and had another family. How interesting in the genealogy listing that we are told that Abraham left all he owned to Issac. He did give a share to the sons of his new wife but Issac was basically the sole heir to Abraham fortune.
Then we see the line of Ishmael. He did not get bad deal. He had 12 sons who became the founder of 12 tribes. Remember God promised Hagar and Abraham that He Ishmael would be the father of nation and have many descendants. I found this commentary from Matthew Henry interesting.
The posterity of Ishmael had not only tents in the fields, wherein they grew rich in times of peace; but they had towns and castles (v. 16), wherein they fortified themselves in time of war. Now the number and strength of this family were the fruit of the promise made to Hagar concerning Ishmael (ch. 16:10), and to Abraham, ch. 17:20 and 21:13. Note, Many that are strangers to the covenants of promise are yet blessed with outward prosperity for the sake of their godly ancestors.
What these tells me is my prosperity (not by the world's standards) and my commitments will make a difference to my future descendants. I need to live the life that I want for future family. They may not know they the had an ancestor who desired to live for Jesus but they can enjoy the bounty of their inheritance.
Abraham's death: I knew he died but my heart was still sad. God told Noah earlier in Genesis (6:3) that no human would live past 120 years old. Yet, he allowed Abraham to live to be 175. I thought this was such a blessing for him. He also lived out one of God's promises to him. In Genesis 15 when God made His covenant with Abraham him told him he would live to be a ripe old age. (v15) Abraham lived out this part of the covenant yet he never saw the full extent of what God promised. Like many in the Faith Hall of Fame (Read Hebrews 11):
All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us. Hebrews 11:39-40
We are part of God's covenant with Abraham. We are the stars in sky. One day we will get to meet Abraham. Isn't that so cool?
Nothing bring a family together like a funeral. I don't know if Abraham ever had any family reunions in the grove at Hebron. (Its sounds like a great place for large tables covered with lots of food.) A few family reunions may have helped restore the relationships between father and sons and sons and sons. Whether he did anything to repair any animosity between Issac and Ishmael is not known but they came together for the funeral of the first of the three Patriarchs. How sweet that they remembered to bury him beside his precious Sarah. Between you and me, this nosy girl would like to have been a fly in the tent at this funeral.
16 Comments:
Just like you, I was impressed in this reading by the fact that what we do in our lifetime, effects future generations--for the good, and also for the bad.
Isaac and Rebecca repeated his parents deceptions--she is really just my sister.
Also, Isaac chose a controlling wife, much like his mom.
Today, I want to choose the Godly things that will leave a blessing for my children, grandchildren, great grandbabies, etc.
Wendy
It is so amazing how blessed we can be just by being obedient to God's word.
Here it is, Noah was blessed by God for 'being the only blameless person living on the earth at the time, and he walked in close fellowship with God'-Gen 6:9 - so naturally his immediate family would have also been blessed.
But here it is, nine generations later Abraham, a descendant of Noah has blessings bestowed upon him and his future generations for his own obedience and for the obedience of Noah to God - Double for his trouble!!!
The blessings doesnt stop there, now Isaac, a descendant of Abraham, who's a descendant of Noah is now blessed three fold because of his own obedience and forefathers and the only thing required of him for the blessings to keep flowing is to be obedient to God. What a small price to
pay!!
Thank you Lord for the lesson that I have learnt today!
Chanan
Freeport, Bahamas.
I had never noticed before that Abraham married again and also that Ishmael returned to help bury his father. It is sad that we wait until death or trials in our families to rally together....I desire to have a close knit family and leave a godly heritage to them and to my friends and aquaintances..like Nicole Nordeman's song Legacy.
Neither had I noticed that Ishmael and Isaac buried their father together. Interesting too the number 12 - 12 sons and tribes for Ishmael too.
Is it true that Ishmael is the father of the Muslim people? I had read that once and wondered if it were true.
I always thought it was interesting that Isaac and Ishmael came together after all these years to bury their father. After all, Isaac is the reason that Ishmael was sent away in the first place... because of Sarah's complaining. Of course, it doesn't say that they got along at the funeral just that they buried their father. But I wonder what their conversation was like? Were they cordial? Were they respectful of the situation and leave the hurt and hard feelings at the door? Or did they challenge one another's right to be in attendance? I suppose it doesn't really matter or God would have told us more, but I always find myself wondering about these things.....
I keep noticing a pattern with God. He openly shares promises with His people, and then gives them the choice to believe them or not.
Today, God gives a promise to Rebekah (after she sought Him for answers) that she would have two sons and that the younger would serve the older. Do you think she believed God? Or did she believe this promise for a little while and then decided to take matters into her own hands later? (Sorry, I read ahead.)
Oh, to be more like Noah and Abraham and less like Rebekah. Oh, to obey and believe without the need to control the situation. I have so much to learn.
In case I haven't said it recently, thank you Wendy and all of you who are sharing this journey with me.
It is both scary and wonderful that what we do will affect our children and grandchildren. That was one of many things that made me want to live the straight and narrow. It was nice to see that Isaac and Ishmael came together for the burial, and that Abraham was/is buried by Sarah.
Also Ishmael and the 12 tribes. HMM I want to look into that part a little more.
Blessings,
Lynn - Oregon
Remeber to write where you are from. :)
It was a short text today but oh what a family story going on here. Not much different than our own messy family lives,,,huh!!!
Thank you God for using all of the flawed people so that we too can feel we can be of service to you.
Sandwich, IL
I'd be right there with you....a fly in the tent! :)
LOVE your sweet reflections on Abraham. This time around I have been overwhelmed with the fact that he is my "Father Abraham" We are part of God's legacy through Abraham. Wow!! Thanks for your encouragement, Wendy!
I dreampt about my family last night. We were all together. My parents, sisters and their families, my nephew and his wife and family all at my parent's home. The rooms were overflowing with love. The children were all playing together and enjoying each other's company. The adults were sharing life stories and encouraging one another. At one moment, my 83 year old Father, our resident "Abraham", commented that he wished all families could get along and be as happy as our family. We truly have been blessed.
This morning God's Word called my attention to the fact that not all families can share this testimony. It is written of Ismael's descendants that "they lived in open hostility toward all their relatives" (Genesis 25:18). A few short verses following we read of the coming birth of Isaac and Rebekah's twins, "The sons in your womb will become two nations. From the very beginning, the two nations will be rivals" (Genesis 25:23). Open hostility. Sibling rivalry. Sadly so many families live with these on-going conflicts, whether openly or behind closed doors.
Today, I rejoice and give tribute to parents who were legacy builders. My mom and dad may not leave much of this worlds richess behind when God calls them to their eternal home, but they leave a heritage of love. As my Pastor shared just a couple of weeks ago, our passing can be a comma, not a period. It can say, "To be continued...". My parent's have learned that the full measure of life is most often based upon it's contribution to the future. It's not so much what they did, but what they've made possible, refusing to allow the blessings to end with them.
The heading that began my reading today in Genesis 25 read, "What follows took place sometime after Sarah's death". It has made me consider the legacy that will follow me. Not just the events that will occur after my passing, but the heritage of future generations. Again the fervency of being intentional is impressed on my heart. Growing a godly family doesn't just happen. It takes work and time.
I want to do all I can to raise a generation who will love and follow hard after the Lord. Let's get on our knees and pray for our families and let them see evidence in our lives of a God they will long to know deeper and love with their whole hearts. May it be said of all our future descendants, "They were living by faith when they died" (Hebrews 11:2).
Legacy builder,
Joy
Hi There! I'm the other girl from the Kingston, Ontario area that's reading along and I'm loving it! It's so much fun being able to discuss the readings with Amy, and now to see these various reflections and viewpoints... almost like being a fly on a blog instead of a tent!
I got such a huge grin when you commented on how cool it is that we'll meet Abraham some day!
Thank you all for sharing your thoughts!
April
Joy's comments remind us all that we need to be intentional in training our children and our family ways. Thank you. It will not just happen, we need to ensure it happens by teaching and being in the Word together.
Sandwich, IL
When I read it made me think of people in my immediate family that may not even realize they to are descendant of Jesus love. It makes me sad when I find situations that they don't if want to discuss. I pray for them and know to leave it Gods hands. Only he knows what is in their heart.I truly believe that our children and grandchildren are watching us even when we are not looking and that is why it is soo important to desire Jesus.
The above comment was made by I must have hit the wrong key.
Since the comment someone made earlier about controlling women...we see it once again with Rebekah butting in and telling Jacob exactly what to do. Why do we do that?
Oh, Lord, You speak to me!!!
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