WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:11.839 There's two Bible readings for this morning, both not in Genesis, one in Hebrews chapter 11 00:00:11.839 --> 00:00:19.039 ! verses 8 to 16, and the other will be 1 Peter chapter 2 verses 11 and 12. 00:00:19.039 --> 00:00:23.359 We will start with the reading from Hebrews 11, 8 to 16. 00:00:23.359 --> 00:00:32.920 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive 00:00:32.920 --> 00:00:38.179 as an inheritance, and he went out not knowing where he was going. 00:00:39.100 --> 00:00:46.260 By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with 00:00:46.260 --> 00:00:51.019 Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. 00:00:51.020 --> 00:00:58.800 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder 00:00:58.800 --> 00:00:59.680 is God. 00:01:00.480 --> 00:01:08.820 By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered 00:01:08.820 --> 00:01:11.000 him faithful who had promised. 00:01:11.920 --> 00:01:20.439 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of 00:01:20.439 --> 00:01:25.340 heaven, and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore. 00:01:26.480 --> 00:01:33.480 These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and 00:01:33.480 --> 00:01:40.259 greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 00:01:41.259 --> 00:01:45.640 For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 00:01:45.640 --> 00:01:52.640 If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity 00:01:52.640 --> 00:01:53.599 to return. 00:01:54.460 --> 00:01:59.980 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. 00:02:00.859 --> 00:02:08.139 Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. 00:02:08.139 --> 00:02:12.859 Now the second reading from 1 Peter, verses 11 and 12. 00:02:14.459 --> 00:02:24.259 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which 00:02:24.259 --> 00:02:26.239 wage war against your soul. 00:02:27.319 --> 00:02:33.639 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, 00:02:33.639 --> 00:02:39.259 they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. 00:02:43.199 --> 00:02:44.179 Morning everyone. 00:02:45.479 --> 00:02:46.659 My name is Martin. 00:02:46.859 --> 00:02:48.039 I'm one of the pastors here. 00:02:48.859 --> 00:02:52.839 We're going to be looking this morning at Genesis chapter 23. 00:02:53.219 --> 00:02:57.560 It would be a great help to you if you had your Bibles open at that passage. 00:02:57.560 --> 00:03:01.140 And we'll look at some of the surrounding context as well. 00:03:01.759 --> 00:03:04.879 But let's pray as we come to God's word. 00:03:06.020 --> 00:03:09.460 Heavenly Father, we thank you that we can gather here this morning. 00:03:10.280 --> 00:03:15.219 We thank you that you speak to us in the pages of the scriptures. 00:03:16.460 --> 00:03:21.539 Please help us to turn our minds and hearts to your word this morning. 00:03:21.539 --> 00:03:26.500 Enable me to speak clearly and truly. 00:03:27.340 --> 00:03:32.199 And we pray that you would write your word on each of our hearts. 00:03:32.579 --> 00:03:33.739 In Jesus' name. 00:03:34.319 --> 00:03:34.659 Amen. 00:03:38.659 --> 00:03:43.120 Well, sometimes Christians look different. 00:03:44.259 --> 00:03:46.699 Sometimes we look a bit odd. 00:03:46.699 --> 00:03:54.579 I wonder for anyone who has no background with anything Christian at all, 00:03:55.119 --> 00:04:00.659 if they just came through the doors of church on a Sunday morning and sat amongst us, 00:04:00.699 --> 00:04:04.120 as I hope they do, I wonder how they'd find the experience. 00:04:04.259 --> 00:04:08.339 I remember once when, I think it might have been when I was at Bible College. 00:04:08.439 --> 00:04:10.219 I can't exactly remember who gave this advice. 00:04:10.280 --> 00:04:11.959 But let's say it was a lecturer at Bible College. 00:04:11.960 --> 00:04:17.360 who suggested that, I think I remember who it was now, but it doesn't matter, 00:04:17.699 --> 00:04:25.660 that for Christians, to get an understanding of what it's like for someone who's had no contact with church before 00:04:25.660 --> 00:04:31.040 to walk into church, Christians, why don't you go and walk into a TAB? 00:04:32.939 --> 00:04:36.759 I mean, some of us may have a background with TABs and gambling, 00:04:37.100 --> 00:04:38.579 but I don't personally. 00:04:38.660 --> 00:04:39.579 I think many of us wouldn't. 00:04:39.579 --> 00:04:42.539 And if I walked into one, I would have no idea what to do. 00:04:43.079 --> 00:04:45.099 I mean, there'd be screens, there'd be people around, 00:04:45.219 --> 00:04:48.019 there must be a counter, I wouldn't know even where to start. 00:04:49.659 --> 00:04:52.879 And some people walking through the doors of church will feel like that. 00:04:52.919 --> 00:04:53.639 They can feel very different. 00:04:54.019 --> 00:04:57.039 There's other things Christians are involved in that may not feel that different. 00:04:57.099 --> 00:05:04.919 I was wondering, would a Christian soccer team look different from a non-Christian soccer team? 00:05:05.039 --> 00:05:07.099 Could you tell the difference by looking at two soccer teams? 00:05:07.100 --> 00:05:09.600 I think it might be hard. 00:05:10.379 --> 00:05:16.820 I mean, maybe if you observe the two teams over a period of time, you might notice some differences. 00:05:18.680 --> 00:05:22.220 Maybe you might start to notice that the Christian soccer team, 00:05:22.280 --> 00:05:23.740 the soccer team where everyone's a Christian, 00:05:24.220 --> 00:05:31.900 they don't ever blaspheme or say the name of Jesus in a sort of angry way. 00:05:31.899 --> 00:05:35.179 Maybe they don't swear as much. 00:05:36.060 --> 00:05:43.519 Maybe they're a bit kinder to team members when they make mistakes or fumble the ball or something. 00:05:44.199 --> 00:05:46.739 Maybe over time you'd notice some differences. 00:05:48.159 --> 00:05:48.939 Maybe not. 00:05:49.060 --> 00:05:49.379 I don't know. 00:05:49.439 --> 00:05:50.159 Some of you play soccer. 00:05:50.239 --> 00:05:50.799 You can tell me. 00:05:50.800 --> 00:05:57.540 But I think one of the times when the distinction between believers and non-believers is at its clearest, 00:05:58.160 --> 00:05:59.579 is in the face of death. 00:06:00.660 --> 00:06:01.900 In the face of death. 00:06:02.980 --> 00:06:07.300 I have been to the funerals of those who aren't Christian, 00:06:07.740 --> 00:06:11.340 and I've been to the funerals of those who are Christian, those who believe in Jesus, 00:06:11.339 --> 00:06:15.259 and there is a very, very stark difference. 00:06:17.199 --> 00:06:22.939 At the death of believers, there is hope amidst the grief, 00:06:23.779 --> 00:06:25.959 a hope that is based on what is true. 00:06:27.599 --> 00:06:32.179 Well, the passage before us today, Genesis chapter 23, is about death. 00:06:32.180 --> 00:06:41.300 Death, the word for dying or the dead, or dead, occurs nine times in chapter 23, 00:06:41.439 --> 00:06:43.840 which is more than any other chapter in Genesis. 00:06:43.959 --> 00:06:47.639 Even Genesis chapter 5 doesn't have the word death as many times. 00:06:48.500 --> 00:06:49.519 So it's about death. 00:06:50.399 --> 00:06:54.360 But it's also, in fact, I'd say even more than it is about death, 00:06:54.939 --> 00:06:57.939 it's about the distinctiveness of God's people. 00:06:57.939 --> 00:07:04.939 Just like a Christian funeral today, the death of one of God's people in this chapter, 00:07:05.100 --> 00:07:11.060 Genesis chapter 23, is an occasion for the display of their distinctiveness. 00:07:12.660 --> 00:07:17.139 But I want to start with some context to help us place Genesis chapter 23. 00:07:17.279 --> 00:07:19.720 We will get to the text of chapter 23 soon. 00:07:20.659 --> 00:07:22.500 But I want to play some context, 00:07:22.500 --> 00:07:26.860 and also to help sort of start to bring this series 00:07:26.860 --> 00:07:29.879 that we've been looking at on the life of Abraham to a close. 00:07:29.980 --> 00:07:32.819 We have one more talk next week on Genesis chapter 24, 00:07:33.079 --> 00:07:34.160 but it's a long chapter. 00:07:34.300 --> 00:07:35.939 It'll be school holidays then. 00:07:36.019 --> 00:07:36.920 There's no grace kids. 00:07:37.000 --> 00:07:37.680 The kids will be in. 00:07:37.980 --> 00:07:41.180 So in a sense, I want to start to sort of simplify next week's talk 00:07:41.180 --> 00:07:43.360 by starting to wrap up the series now 00:07:43.360 --> 00:07:47.399 and showing what's happening as these chapters of Genesis, 00:07:47.399 --> 00:07:49.459 this section of Genesis, draws to a close. 00:07:49.459 --> 00:07:54.539 Because we are coming to a major transition point in the book of Genesis. 00:07:55.439 --> 00:07:58.899 You may be aware that the book of Genesis is divided into parts, 00:07:59.019 --> 00:08:02.399 into sections, which have the same kind of heading. 00:08:02.560 --> 00:08:03.939 You know you're entering a new section 00:08:03.939 --> 00:08:06.299 because you get this heading in the book of Genesis. 00:08:06.959 --> 00:08:09.779 And some commentators call it the Toledot formula, 00:08:10.000 --> 00:08:12.339 from the Hebrew word, Hebrew word Toledot, 00:08:12.399 --> 00:08:13.539 which means generations. 00:08:14.740 --> 00:08:15.959 The heading looks like this. 00:08:15.959 --> 00:08:17.180 It's usually in this form. 00:08:17.539 --> 00:08:21.259 These are the generations of, and then a name. 00:08:23.019 --> 00:08:26.779 So the last time we've seen that heading in the book of Genesis, 00:08:27.019 --> 00:08:28.560 and I think this passage will come up on the screen, 00:08:28.779 --> 00:08:30.959 is way back in Genesis chapter 11, verse 27. 00:08:31.899 --> 00:08:34.559 Now these are the generations of Terah. 00:08:35.699 --> 00:08:38.559 Terah fathered Abram, Nahor, and Haran, 00:08:38.639 --> 00:08:40.779 and Haran fathered Lot. 00:08:40.779 --> 00:08:45.959 And what followed that heading have been 14 chapters 00:08:45.959 --> 00:08:49.360 focused on the life of Abram, Abraham, 00:08:50.019 --> 00:08:51.860 one of Terah's sons. 00:08:54.500 --> 00:08:56.720 Well, we're approaching, just keep that passage up there, 00:08:56.759 --> 00:08:57.799 we'll talk about that a bit more in a moment, 00:08:57.939 --> 00:09:01.679 but we're approaching the next headings in the book of Genesis. 00:09:01.679 --> 00:09:06.759 So if you look ahead to Genesis chapter 25, verse 12, 00:09:07.199 --> 00:09:09.719 these are the generations of Ishmael, 00:09:10.519 --> 00:09:12.079 followed by seven verses. 00:09:12.839 --> 00:09:15.000 And then chapter 25, verse 19, 00:09:15.159 --> 00:09:17.500 these are the generations of Isaac, 00:09:18.679 --> 00:09:21.919 followed by ten and a half chapters under that heading. 00:09:23.500 --> 00:09:25.219 Now this is also typical of Genesis, 00:09:25.919 --> 00:09:28.159 where when we get to these different sections, 00:09:28.159 --> 00:09:32.779 Genesis will deal briefly with the less important branch 00:09:32.779 --> 00:09:36.120 of the family tree, family line, in this case Ishmael's, 00:09:36.339 --> 00:09:40.219 and then at greater length on the more important branch, Isaac's. 00:09:40.339 --> 00:09:44.059 You see the same pattern in Genesis chapters 36 and 37. 00:09:44.259 --> 00:09:48.419 First Esau, one chapter, then Jacob, 14 chapters, 00:09:48.539 --> 00:09:50.079 the rest of the book of Genesis from that point. 00:09:51.480 --> 00:09:52.699 Now if you've been paying attention, 00:09:52.919 --> 00:09:54.600 you might notice a couple of things. 00:09:54.600 --> 00:09:58.680 So chapter 11, verse 27, 00:09:58.820 --> 00:10:00.639 these are the generations of Terah. 00:10:00.779 --> 00:10:03.879 The section of Genesis that follows isn't really about Terah, 00:10:04.040 --> 00:10:05.420 it's about Terah's sons, 00:10:05.620 --> 00:10:07.100 and in particular one of them, Abraham. 00:10:10.399 --> 00:10:11.960 When we get to chapter 25, 00:10:12.200 --> 00:10:14.420 we have these are the generations of Ishmael, 00:10:14.500 --> 00:10:16.259 and these are the generations of Isaac. 00:10:18.500 --> 00:10:19.300 Something's missing. 00:10:20.580 --> 00:10:22.120 There's no heading in Genesis, 00:10:22.399 --> 00:10:24.000 these are the generations of Abraham. 00:10:24.600 --> 00:10:27.920 It's like, in a sense, 00:10:28.720 --> 00:10:32.340 Isaac doesn't star in the book of Genesis 00:10:32.340 --> 00:10:35.279 in the way that Abraham and Jacob and Joseph do. 00:10:38.000 --> 00:10:40.420 But we're approaching this major transition. 00:10:41.879 --> 00:10:44.659 What's going on in these two and a half chapters 00:10:44.659 --> 00:10:46.399 before we reach it? 00:10:47.080 --> 00:10:50.420 Well, in chapters 21 and chapter 22 of Genesis, 00:10:50.419 --> 00:10:54.079 the story of Abraham has reached its climax. 00:10:55.120 --> 00:10:57.159 Chapter 21, the birth of Isaac. 00:10:57.319 --> 00:10:59.639 Chapter 22, the binding of Isaac. 00:11:00.179 --> 00:11:02.139 The testing of Abraham's faith. 00:11:02.819 --> 00:11:06.159 He's offering his beloved only son as a sacrifice, 00:11:06.539 --> 00:11:08.179 and then God providing a substitute. 00:11:08.539 --> 00:11:10.179 Those chapters, the birth of Isaac, 00:11:10.439 --> 00:11:12.399 the offering of Isaac as a sacrifice, 00:11:12.399 --> 00:11:14.819 and then God providing the sacrifice. 00:11:14.819 --> 00:11:20.220 Through those, God sealed his covenant with Abraham 00:11:20.220 --> 00:11:27.939 to bless all nations through Abraham's singular seed. 00:11:27.940 --> 00:11:34.640 Those two events are really what the whole story of Abraham 00:11:34.640 --> 00:11:36.760 had been building toward. 00:11:36.759 --> 00:11:44.059 And what we have in chapter 22, verse 20, 00:11:44.159 --> 00:11:45.679 to chapter 25, verse 11, 00:11:45.679 --> 00:11:48.240 is a kind of coda to the story of Abraham. 00:11:48.460 --> 00:11:50.960 In narrative terms, you could call it the denouement. 00:11:52.240 --> 00:11:54.419 The main events have taken place. 00:11:54.980 --> 00:11:57.639 This is just kind of tying up a few loose ends 00:11:57.639 --> 00:12:00.659 and bringing some threads together. 00:12:02.100 --> 00:12:04.799 Back in chapter 11, verse 27, we said, 00:12:04.939 --> 00:12:06.699 now these are the generations of Terah. 00:12:06.879 --> 00:12:08.919 Terah fathered Abram, Nahor, and Haran, 00:12:08.980 --> 00:12:10.240 and Haran fathered Lot. 00:12:10.860 --> 00:12:13.340 Now in chapter 11, verse 28, Haran died. 00:12:15.919 --> 00:12:18.100 And Lot, Haran's son, 00:12:18.199 --> 00:12:21.720 has featured at various points in Abraham's story. 00:12:21.720 --> 00:12:27.259 So it's, you know, it's while Abraham is featured, 00:12:28.220 --> 00:12:29.180 Lot's been there too. 00:12:29.440 --> 00:12:31.180 Haran's heir has been there too. 00:12:31.879 --> 00:12:34.759 But what about that third brother, Nahor? 00:12:35.720 --> 00:12:37.399 In chapter 11, verse 29, 00:12:37.660 --> 00:12:39.480 we're told he had a wife named Milca, 00:12:39.560 --> 00:12:40.279 and then nothing more. 00:12:40.340 --> 00:12:41.420 We hear nothing more about him, 00:12:42.540 --> 00:12:43.519 Abraham's other brother. 00:12:44.899 --> 00:12:46.379 But at the end of chapter 22, 00:12:46.779 --> 00:12:49.080 he finally makes a reappearance. 00:12:49.080 --> 00:12:51.720 Chapter 22, verse 20, 00:12:51.780 --> 00:12:53.540 now after these things, 00:12:53.600 --> 00:12:54.639 it was told to Abraham, 00:12:54.820 --> 00:12:57.320 behold, Milca has also born children 00:12:57.320 --> 00:12:58.560 to your brother Nahor. 00:12:59.300 --> 00:13:00.360 Who was his firstborn? 00:13:00.480 --> 00:13:00.960 Who was his brother? 00:13:01.020 --> 00:13:01.400 And so on. 00:13:01.480 --> 00:13:03.660 Eight sons by Milca, 00:13:03.740 --> 00:13:06.320 and then four more by a concubine named Rumah. 00:13:08.120 --> 00:13:09.920 So Abraham's brother, Nahor, 00:13:09.960 --> 00:13:11.400 has been remarkably fruitful, 00:13:11.520 --> 00:13:12.500 had all these sons. 00:13:13.740 --> 00:13:18.240 In contrast to Abraham's single son by Sarah, 00:13:18.240 --> 00:13:19.320 Isaac. 00:13:20.659 --> 00:13:22.539 Well, let me try and show you 00:13:22.539 --> 00:13:24.500 in a bit of an overview 00:13:24.500 --> 00:13:27.539 how this coda to the story of Abraham works. 00:13:27.600 --> 00:13:29.919 I've got a diagram that will come up on the screen. 00:13:30.840 --> 00:13:31.820 Because I want you to see 00:13:31.820 --> 00:13:34.659 how these chapters of Genesis are woven together. 00:13:35.180 --> 00:13:36.120 The main events, 00:13:36.799 --> 00:13:39.919 and can we just have that diagram up on the screen? 00:13:41.200 --> 00:13:42.159 Yeah, thanks James. 00:13:42.159 --> 00:13:47.019 The main events are chapters 23 and chapter 24. 00:13:47.139 --> 00:13:48.019 In chapter 23, 00:13:48.579 --> 00:13:52.039 Abraham seeks to acquire a tomb for Sarah. 00:13:52.199 --> 00:13:53.259 In chapter 24, 00:13:53.699 --> 00:13:56.939 Abraham seeks to acquire a wife for his son Isaac. 00:13:57.939 --> 00:14:00.019 Isaac is not mentioned in chapter 23. 00:14:00.259 --> 00:14:02.459 Sarah is not mentioned in chapter 24 00:14:02.459 --> 00:14:06.100 until we get to the final verse of chapter 24, 00:14:06.220 --> 00:14:06.779 which you can look at, 00:14:06.819 --> 00:14:08.299 chapter 24, verse 67, 00:14:08.299 --> 00:14:10.039 where we read, 00:14:12.039 --> 00:14:14.079 then Isaac brought her, 00:14:14.199 --> 00:14:15.319 her being Rebecca, 00:14:15.419 --> 00:14:16.059 his new wife, 00:14:16.339 --> 00:14:17.359 then Isaac brought her 00:14:17.359 --> 00:14:18.599 into the tent of Sarah, 00:14:18.699 --> 00:14:19.099 his mother, 00:14:19.159 --> 00:14:20.000 and took Rebecca, 00:14:20.159 --> 00:14:21.639 and she became his wife, 00:14:22.079 --> 00:14:22.939 and he loved her. 00:14:23.019 --> 00:14:24.659 So Isaac was comforted 00:14:24.659 --> 00:14:26.000 after his mother's death. 00:14:26.299 --> 00:14:27.259 Can you see how that verse 00:14:27.259 --> 00:14:28.759 kind of binds together, 00:14:28.879 --> 00:14:29.699 sort of links together, 00:14:29.799 --> 00:14:31.539 chapters 23 and chapter 24? 00:14:31.699 --> 00:14:32.979 They seem completely separate, 00:14:33.339 --> 00:14:34.419 but then this final verse 00:14:34.419 --> 00:14:35.319 just brings them together. 00:14:35.320 --> 00:14:41.560 In chapter, 00:14:41.840 --> 00:14:42.820 the end of chapter 22, 00:14:43.020 --> 00:14:43.600 as you just saw, 00:14:43.720 --> 00:14:46.940 we have that list of Nahor's children 00:14:46.940 --> 00:14:48.360 by his wife Milcah 00:14:48.360 --> 00:14:49.760 and his concubine Ruma. 00:14:51.100 --> 00:14:52.160 Now on the one hand, 00:14:52.260 --> 00:14:53.480 that's providing background 00:14:53.480 --> 00:14:54.700 for chapter 24 00:14:54.700 --> 00:14:57.160 because Nahor's family 00:14:57.160 --> 00:15:00.100 are going to feature in chapter 24. 00:15:00.300 --> 00:15:02.780 That's where Abraham sends a servant 00:15:02.779 --> 00:15:06.139 to go and find a wife for Isaac. 00:15:08.860 --> 00:15:09.939 But they also, 00:15:10.179 --> 00:15:13.959 they also kind of are balanced 00:15:13.959 --> 00:15:16.419 by the beginning of chapter 25, 00:15:17.059 --> 00:15:19.059 we read that Abraham took another wife 00:15:19.059 --> 00:15:20.199 whose name was Gerturah, 00:15:20.459 --> 00:15:21.419 and she bore him, 00:15:21.539 --> 00:15:21.860 Zimran, 00:15:21.919 --> 00:15:22.980 and a list of six sons. 00:15:26.559 --> 00:15:28.919 Chapter 25, verse 6, 00:15:28.919 --> 00:15:30.219 5 and 6, 00:15:30.279 --> 00:15:31.899 Abraham gave all he had to Isaac 00:15:31.899 --> 00:15:33.860 but to the sons of his concubines, 00:15:34.039 --> 00:15:35.179 Gerturah and Hagar, 00:15:35.519 --> 00:15:36.599 Abraham gave gifts 00:15:36.599 --> 00:15:38.139 and while he was still living, 00:15:38.240 --> 00:15:39.139 he sent them away 00:15:39.139 --> 00:15:40.979 from his son Isaac. 00:15:43.339 --> 00:15:46.099 So we've seen all these sons 00:15:46.099 --> 00:15:48.479 born to Nahor 00:15:48.479 --> 00:15:49.879 and now all these sons, 00:15:50.000 --> 00:15:50.659 other sons, 00:15:50.799 --> 00:15:51.559 born to Abraham. 00:15:51.860 --> 00:15:52.819 Now when did this happen? 00:15:53.059 --> 00:15:54.159 Now it's possible that Abraham 00:15:54.159 --> 00:15:55.279 took this second wife, 00:15:55.379 --> 00:15:56.059 who's also Gerturah, 00:15:56.120 --> 00:15:57.120 she's also called a concubine, 00:15:57.120 --> 00:15:59.220 after the death of Sarah. 00:15:59.740 --> 00:16:00.759 If that's the case, 00:16:01.039 --> 00:16:03.379 then Abraham took her 00:16:03.379 --> 00:16:07.139 when he was 137 years old. 00:16:10.120 --> 00:16:11.259 Which is possible, 00:16:12.419 --> 00:16:14.299 but I think it's also possible 00:16:14.299 --> 00:16:16.500 that actually she's been there 00:16:16.500 --> 00:16:17.299 in the background 00:16:17.299 --> 00:16:19.019 at a much earlier stage, 00:16:19.460 --> 00:16:20.379 it's just that Genesis 00:16:20.379 --> 00:16:21.840 deliberately hasn't mentioned her. 00:16:23.120 --> 00:16:24.700 It's sort of left it until now 00:16:24.700 --> 00:16:27.520 to even mention this other woman 00:16:27.520 --> 00:16:28.520 and these other sons. 00:16:29.840 --> 00:16:30.700 Whatever the case, 00:16:30.740 --> 00:16:32.440 we're seeing this remarkable fruitfulness 00:16:32.440 --> 00:16:34.080 but it's set against 00:16:34.080 --> 00:16:34.940 this remarkable fruitfulness. 00:16:34.980 --> 00:16:35.980 All these sons 00:16:35.980 --> 00:16:39.980 is in contrast to the one son 00:16:39.980 --> 00:16:41.379 who will be the heir 00:16:41.379 --> 00:16:42.800 of Abraham's legacy 00:16:42.800 --> 00:16:43.360 and the blessing 00:16:43.360 --> 00:16:44.440 that's been given to him. 00:16:44.440 --> 00:16:46.980 And so, 00:16:47.760 --> 00:16:49.020 in chapter 25, 00:16:49.140 --> 00:16:53.820 from verse 7 00:16:53.820 --> 00:16:55.680 to 11, 00:16:55.860 --> 00:16:56.640 when we read 00:16:56.640 --> 00:16:58.440 at last of Abraham's death 00:16:58.440 --> 00:17:00.160 at 175 years, 00:17:01.840 --> 00:17:02.940 this section of, 00:17:03.620 --> 00:17:05.140 this whole section, 00:17:05.200 --> 00:17:06.279 this whole section of Genesis 00:17:06.279 --> 00:17:07.960 finishes in verse 11, 00:17:08.059 --> 00:17:09.340 after the death of Abraham, 00:17:10.220 --> 00:17:12.620 God blessed Isaac, 00:17:12.619 --> 00:17:14.179 his son 00:17:14.179 --> 00:17:16.319 and Isaac settled 00:17:16.319 --> 00:17:17.539 at Beelahairoi. 00:17:19.419 --> 00:17:22.799 It's this masterfully woven narrative 00:17:22.799 --> 00:17:27.939 that draws together 00:17:27.939 --> 00:17:29.879 all these bits and pieces, 00:17:31.119 --> 00:17:32.379 these threads, 00:17:32.539 --> 00:17:33.659 showing the passing 00:17:33.659 --> 00:17:34.719 of God's blessing 00:17:34.719 --> 00:17:36.479 to the next generation, 00:17:36.699 --> 00:17:37.319 from Abraham 00:17:37.319 --> 00:17:38.839 to Isaac. 00:17:38.839 --> 00:17:41.480 But we're going to focus 00:17:41.480 --> 00:17:42.459 our attention today 00:17:42.459 --> 00:17:44.000 on verse 23 00:17:44.000 --> 00:17:45.679 and next week 00:17:45.679 --> 00:17:46.619 on verse 24 00:17:46.619 --> 00:17:47.859 and today we're going 00:17:47.859 --> 00:17:48.699 to focus on 00:17:48.699 --> 00:17:50.240 another idea 00:17:50.240 --> 00:17:51.139 that links together 00:17:51.139 --> 00:17:52.240 these two chapters 00:17:52.240 --> 00:17:53.139 which is that 00:17:53.139 --> 00:17:53.679 which I mentioned 00:17:53.679 --> 00:17:54.079 at the beginning 00:17:54.079 --> 00:17:54.599 of the talk 00:17:54.599 --> 00:17:55.119 and that is 00:17:55.119 --> 00:17:56.599 the distinctiveness 00:17:56.599 --> 00:17:57.480 of God's people. 00:17:58.379 --> 00:17:58.839 Let's go back 00:17:58.839 --> 00:17:59.579 to chapter 23, 00:17:59.699 --> 00:18:00.079 verse 1. 00:18:00.179 --> 00:18:00.939 We'll step through it now 00:18:00.939 --> 00:18:01.899 from chapter 23, 00:18:02.740 --> 00:18:03.379 verse 1. 00:18:04.159 --> 00:18:04.379 Ah, 00:18:04.379 --> 00:18:04.939 we can get rid 00:18:04.939 --> 00:18:05.439 of that diagram. 00:18:05.839 --> 00:18:06.779 We won't need that again. 00:18:06.779 --> 00:18:08.579 We can get 23, 00:18:08.759 --> 00:18:09.180 verse 1 00:18:09.180 --> 00:18:10.259 and we will step 00:18:10.259 --> 00:18:10.920 through it from there. 00:18:12.899 --> 00:18:15.500 Sarah lived 127 years. 00:18:16.720 --> 00:18:18.019 These were the years 00:18:18.019 --> 00:18:19.259 of the life of Sarah. 00:18:19.940 --> 00:18:21.220 Now Sarah's the only woman 00:18:21.220 --> 00:18:21.779 named, 00:18:22.220 --> 00:18:23.319 the only woman in the Bible 00:18:23.319 --> 00:18:24.779 whose age we are told 00:18:24.779 --> 00:18:26.079 at the time of her death. 00:18:28.099 --> 00:18:29.139 Verse 1 doesn't use 00:18:29.139 --> 00:18:29.839 the word death, 00:18:29.899 --> 00:18:30.700 rather it uses 00:18:30.700 --> 00:18:32.240 the word life twice 00:18:32.240 --> 00:18:33.819 but it's structured 00:18:33.819 --> 00:18:34.500 in such a way 00:18:34.500 --> 00:18:35.019 that verse 00:18:35.019 --> 00:18:35.799 to show that 00:18:35.799 --> 00:18:37.039 Sarah's life 00:18:37.039 --> 00:18:37.819 was finite. 00:18:38.579 --> 00:18:39.119 The words 00:18:39.119 --> 00:18:40.200 the life of Sarah 00:18:40.200 --> 00:18:41.839 start and end 00:18:41.839 --> 00:18:42.400 the verse 00:18:42.400 --> 00:18:43.839 and kind of wrap around 00:18:43.839 --> 00:18:45.420 the 127 years 00:18:45.420 --> 00:18:46.519 that was its span 00:18:46.519 --> 00:18:48.059 as beginning and end. 00:18:50.660 --> 00:18:51.619 127 years, 00:18:51.700 --> 00:18:52.139 verse 2, 00:18:52.220 --> 00:18:53.980 and Sarah died 00:18:53.980 --> 00:18:56.039 at Kiriath Arba, 00:18:56.119 --> 00:18:56.960 that is Hebron, 00:18:57.559 --> 00:18:58.819 in the land of Canaan 00:18:58.819 --> 00:19:00.700 and Abraham went in 00:19:00.700 --> 00:19:01.720 to mourn for Sarah 00:19:01.720 --> 00:19:02.799 and to weep for her. 00:19:02.799 --> 00:19:06.879 Sarah isn't by any stretch 00:19:06.879 --> 00:19:07.919 the first person 00:19:07.919 --> 00:19:09.019 to die in the Bible 00:19:09.019 --> 00:19:11.960 but she is the first person 00:19:11.960 --> 00:19:12.500 in the Bible 00:19:12.500 --> 00:19:14.039 whose death is mourned. 00:19:16.740 --> 00:19:18.039 And so we see here 00:19:18.039 --> 00:19:19.440 the story of Abraham 00:19:19.440 --> 00:19:20.279 and Sarah 00:19:20.279 --> 00:19:21.839 intersect in this 00:19:21.839 --> 00:19:24.240 personal and visceral way 00:19:24.240 --> 00:19:26.059 with the story 00:19:26.059 --> 00:19:26.899 of Adam and Eve. 00:19:26.900 --> 00:19:31.940 Abraham and Sarah 00:19:31.940 --> 00:19:32.960 are in Canaan, 00:19:33.480 --> 00:19:35.120 not Eden. 00:19:37.800 --> 00:19:39.180 But humans were not 00:19:39.180 --> 00:19:40.259 created for death 00:19:40.259 --> 00:19:42.980 and so the fitting response 00:19:42.980 --> 00:19:43.640 to death 00:19:43.640 --> 00:19:45.420 is to mourn 00:19:45.420 --> 00:19:46.680 and to weep 00:19:46.680 --> 00:19:49.000 as Abraham does here. 00:19:50.680 --> 00:19:51.900 We mourn 00:19:51.900 --> 00:19:53.220 when people die 00:19:53.220 --> 00:19:54.799 because any death 00:19:54.799 --> 00:19:55.680 is a loss. 00:19:57.079 --> 00:19:57.779 Any death, 00:19:58.039 --> 00:19:59.180 the death of any person, 00:19:59.299 --> 00:20:00.279 any human being 00:20:00.279 --> 00:20:01.420 made in God's image 00:20:01.420 --> 00:20:02.920 is the unravelling 00:20:02.920 --> 00:20:04.120 of something good. 00:20:06.339 --> 00:20:07.440 The unravelling 00:20:07.440 --> 00:20:09.539 both of the individual person 00:20:09.539 --> 00:20:10.440 but also 00:20:10.440 --> 00:20:12.620 of all the relationships 00:20:12.620 --> 00:20:14.400 that they're part of. 00:20:14.400 --> 00:20:18.460 When someone dies 00:20:18.460 --> 00:20:19.400 there is a void, 00:20:20.519 --> 00:20:21.220 an empty, 00:20:21.740 --> 00:20:22.880 frayed space 00:20:22.880 --> 00:20:24.360 in human community. 00:20:26.400 --> 00:20:27.460 We mourn 00:20:27.460 --> 00:20:28.540 when someone dies 00:20:28.540 --> 00:20:29.940 and our mourning says 00:20:29.940 --> 00:20:31.560 this is not the way 00:20:31.560 --> 00:20:32.820 it is supposed to be. 00:20:35.980 --> 00:20:37.860 But most of chapter 23 00:20:37.860 --> 00:20:38.640 is not about 00:20:38.640 --> 00:20:40.480 mourning Sarah, 00:20:40.680 --> 00:20:41.280 it is about 00:20:41.280 --> 00:20:42.820 burying Sarah 00:20:42.819 --> 00:20:43.980 or rather about 00:20:43.980 --> 00:20:45.859 Abraham's attempts 00:20:45.859 --> 00:20:46.759 to acquire 00:20:46.759 --> 00:20:47.879 a burial site. 00:20:49.200 --> 00:20:50.559 And the negotiations 00:20:50.559 --> 00:20:51.799 Abraham enters into 00:20:51.799 --> 00:20:53.220 go through a series 00:20:53.220 --> 00:20:55.240 of three exchanges. 00:20:56.179 --> 00:20:56.799 You can see that 00:20:56.799 --> 00:20:57.359 on your outlines, 00:20:57.460 --> 00:20:58.159 three exchanges 00:20:58.159 --> 00:20:58.899 in each of which 00:20:58.899 --> 00:21:00.419 Abraham makes a request 00:21:00.419 --> 00:21:02.299 and receives 00:21:02.299 --> 00:21:03.240 an offer. 00:21:03.960 --> 00:21:05.240 So first exchange, 00:21:05.419 --> 00:21:06.159 the request comes 00:21:06.159 --> 00:21:07.259 in verses 3 and 4. 00:21:07.339 --> 00:21:07.799 And Abraham 00:21:07.799 --> 00:21:08.859 rose up 00:21:08.859 --> 00:21:10.059 from before his dead 00:21:10.059 --> 00:21:12.339 and said to the Hittites, 00:21:12.819 --> 00:21:14.379 I am a sojourner 00:21:14.379 --> 00:21:15.220 and foreigner 00:21:15.220 --> 00:21:16.000 among you. 00:21:16.919 --> 00:21:18.559 Give me property 00:21:18.559 --> 00:21:19.960 among you 00:21:19.960 --> 00:21:21.399 for a burying place 00:21:21.399 --> 00:21:22.700 that I may bury 00:21:22.700 --> 00:21:23.279 my dead 00:21:23.279 --> 00:21:24.279 out of my sight. 00:21:24.799 --> 00:21:25.679 Now let's think 00:21:25.679 --> 00:21:26.339 carefully about 00:21:26.339 --> 00:21:27.419 Abraham's request here 00:21:27.419 --> 00:21:29.259 because as we've seen 00:21:29.259 --> 00:21:30.240 in previous chapters, 00:21:30.399 --> 00:21:31.139 the art of biblical 00:21:31.139 --> 00:21:32.399 narrative is to convey 00:21:32.399 --> 00:21:33.759 much 00:21:33.759 --> 00:21:35.039 in a few words. 00:21:36.319 --> 00:21:36.980 Abraham says, 00:21:37.099 --> 00:21:38.039 I am a sojourner 00:21:38.039 --> 00:21:38.899 and a foreigner 00:21:38.899 --> 00:21:39.659 among you. 00:21:40.340 --> 00:21:41.140 When Jen and I 00:21:41.140 --> 00:21:42.060 moved to Newcastle 00:21:42.060 --> 00:21:43.000 20 years ago, 00:21:44.900 --> 00:21:46.360 we were told 00:21:46.360 --> 00:21:47.620 when we moved here 00:21:47.620 --> 00:21:48.820 it would be 00:21:48.820 --> 00:21:50.220 20 years 00:21:50.220 --> 00:21:51.259 before we became 00:21:51.259 --> 00:21:51.980 Novocastrians, 00:21:52.779 --> 00:21:53.519 like before we were 00:21:53.519 --> 00:21:54.180 accepted as 00:21:54.180 --> 00:21:54.800 Novocastrians. 00:21:54.960 --> 00:21:56.220 It was 20 years now. 00:21:57.279 --> 00:21:58.279 It's our 20th year 00:21:58.279 --> 00:21:59.200 and I've got to say 00:21:59.200 --> 00:22:00.259 Newcastle feels 00:22:00.259 --> 00:22:00.920 like home. 00:22:02.320 --> 00:22:03.600 We've bought a house, 00:22:03.820 --> 00:22:04.920 we've at different times 00:22:04.920 --> 00:22:06.120 sent kids to school, 00:22:06.300 --> 00:22:06.940 we've played in 00:22:06.940 --> 00:22:07.840 sporting teams, 00:22:08.000 --> 00:22:08.920 joined gyms, 00:22:09.259 --> 00:22:10.480 been part of the community. 00:22:11.759 --> 00:22:13.100 Most of the time, 00:22:13.820 --> 00:22:14.700 if Jen or I 00:22:14.700 --> 00:22:15.600 go somewhere 00:22:15.600 --> 00:22:16.779 around Newcastle, 00:22:17.299 --> 00:22:18.600 we will bump 00:22:18.600 --> 00:22:19.180 into someone 00:22:19.180 --> 00:22:19.680 we know. 00:22:22.259 --> 00:22:22.900 I don't think 00:22:22.900 --> 00:22:23.820 there is actually 00:22:23.820 --> 00:22:24.360 nowhere 00:22:24.360 --> 00:22:25.900 on the planet 00:22:25.900 --> 00:22:27.259 that I could live 00:22:27.259 --> 00:22:28.539 that would feel 00:22:28.539 --> 00:22:29.480 more like home 00:22:29.480 --> 00:22:30.120 to me now 00:22:30.120 --> 00:22:30.940 than Newcastle. 00:22:33.340 --> 00:22:34.080 By the time 00:22:34.080 --> 00:22:35.080 of Sarah's death, 00:22:35.259 --> 00:22:36.220 Abraham had been 00:22:36.220 --> 00:22:37.200 living in the land 00:22:37.200 --> 00:22:37.740 of Canaan 00:22:37.740 --> 00:22:39.900 for 62 years. 00:22:41.500 --> 00:22:42.799 62 years! 00:22:44.440 --> 00:22:45.519 And here is 00:22:45.519 --> 00:22:46.700 how he saw himself. 00:22:47.819 --> 00:22:49.240 I am a sojourner 00:22:49.240 --> 00:22:50.460 and foreigner 00:22:50.460 --> 00:22:51.400 among you. 00:22:51.880 --> 00:22:52.460 A sojourner, 00:22:52.539 --> 00:22:53.460 I'm passing through. 00:22:54.460 --> 00:22:55.620 This is not my home. 00:22:57.200 --> 00:22:57.779 A foreigner, 00:22:57.920 --> 00:22:58.640 I'm an alien, 00:22:58.799 --> 00:22:59.640 I don't belong. 00:23:01.640 --> 00:23:02.860 He saw himself 00:23:02.860 --> 00:23:03.940 as an outsider 00:23:03.940 --> 00:23:05.000 at the mercy 00:23:05.000 --> 00:23:06.000 of the Hittites, 00:23:06.220 --> 00:23:07.100 and the other people 00:23:07.100 --> 00:23:08.059 living in the land. 00:23:08.720 --> 00:23:09.339 And so he said, 00:23:09.620 --> 00:23:11.100 give me property 00:23:11.100 --> 00:23:12.920 among you 00:23:12.920 --> 00:23:14.059 for a burying place. 00:23:14.140 --> 00:23:14.980 The key words there 00:23:14.980 --> 00:23:16.160 are give and property. 00:23:17.200 --> 00:23:18.240 You think the Australian 00:23:18.240 --> 00:23:19.019 housing market 00:23:19.019 --> 00:23:19.600 is bad? 00:23:20.680 --> 00:23:20.880 Well, 00:23:20.900 --> 00:23:21.460 Abraham's 00:23:21.460 --> 00:23:23.319 137 years old, 00:23:23.380 --> 00:23:24.120 he's lived in Canaan 00:23:24.120 --> 00:23:25.039 62 years 00:23:25.039 --> 00:23:25.579 and he's still 00:23:25.579 --> 00:23:26.559 on the rental treadmill. 00:23:26.559 --> 00:23:29.779 But now he wants 00:23:29.779 --> 00:23:30.539 a piece of land 00:23:30.539 --> 00:23:31.639 he can call his own. 00:23:33.099 --> 00:23:33.500 Property. 00:23:34.279 --> 00:23:35.019 Nothing big, 00:23:35.139 --> 00:23:35.759 nothing flashy, 00:23:35.859 --> 00:23:36.059 in fact, 00:23:36.099 --> 00:23:36.799 not even a house 00:23:36.799 --> 00:23:37.460 to live in. 00:23:38.399 --> 00:23:39.960 He just wants a grave. 00:23:40.919 --> 00:23:41.980 He just wants a tomb. 00:23:42.720 --> 00:23:43.720 Somewhere he can bury 00:23:43.720 --> 00:23:44.759 his dead out of sight, 00:23:44.859 --> 00:23:46.119 but a burial place 00:23:46.119 --> 00:23:47.319 that would be his, 00:23:48.319 --> 00:23:49.500 that would belong 00:23:49.500 --> 00:23:50.039 to him. 00:23:50.039 --> 00:23:53.940 Abraham lived in Canaan 00:23:53.940 --> 00:23:54.859 as a sojourner, 00:23:55.099 --> 00:23:55.720 but he wanted 00:23:55.720 --> 00:23:57.500 to bury Sarah 00:23:57.500 --> 00:23:59.379 on his own land. 00:24:01.379 --> 00:24:02.619 How would the sons 00:24:02.619 --> 00:24:03.940 of Heth respond, 00:24:04.099 --> 00:24:04.599 the Hittites? 00:24:05.039 --> 00:24:05.779 Verse 5. 00:24:05.779 --> 00:24:08.660 The Hittites answered 00:24:08.660 --> 00:24:09.279 Abraham, 00:24:10.220 --> 00:24:10.859 Hear us, 00:24:10.980 --> 00:24:11.539 my Lord. 00:24:12.339 --> 00:24:13.799 You are a prince 00:24:13.799 --> 00:24:14.720 of God 00:24:14.720 --> 00:24:15.559 among us. 00:24:16.460 --> 00:24:17.180 Bury your dead 00:24:17.180 --> 00:24:18.019 in the choicest 00:24:18.019 --> 00:24:19.039 of our tombs. 00:24:20.119 --> 00:24:20.740 None of us 00:24:20.740 --> 00:24:21.359 will withhold 00:24:21.359 --> 00:24:21.839 from you 00:24:21.839 --> 00:24:22.599 his tomb 00:24:22.599 --> 00:24:23.779 to hinder you 00:24:23.779 --> 00:24:24.359 from burying 00:24:24.359 --> 00:24:25.039 your dead. 00:24:26.680 --> 00:24:27.480 First notice 00:24:27.480 --> 00:24:28.059 the contrast 00:24:28.059 --> 00:24:29.019 in what they call 00:24:29.019 --> 00:24:29.399 Abraham 00:24:29.399 --> 00:24:30.240 and what he called 00:24:30.240 --> 00:24:30.559 himself. 00:24:30.680 --> 00:24:31.160 They call him 00:24:31.160 --> 00:24:31.619 Lord. 00:24:33.019 --> 00:24:33.720 They say, 00:24:33.839 --> 00:24:34.399 you're a prince 00:24:34.399 --> 00:24:34.879 of God 00:24:34.879 --> 00:24:35.420 among us. 00:24:35.420 --> 00:24:36.060 The word prince 00:24:36.060 --> 00:24:36.740 there is a title 00:24:36.740 --> 00:24:37.620 for a chieftain 00:24:37.620 --> 00:24:38.279 or a ruler. 00:24:40.300 --> 00:24:41.200 Abraham may not 00:24:41.200 --> 00:24:42.120 have owned land, 00:24:42.539 --> 00:24:43.600 but he was wealthy. 00:24:44.740 --> 00:24:45.759 Perhaps the Hittites 00:24:45.759 --> 00:24:46.580 even recognised 00:24:46.580 --> 00:24:47.240 that God 00:24:47.240 --> 00:24:47.900 was with him. 00:24:47.980 --> 00:24:48.340 They call him 00:24:48.340 --> 00:24:49.460 a prince of God. 00:24:51.120 --> 00:24:51.600 Abraham 00:24:51.600 --> 00:24:52.480 described himself 00:24:52.480 --> 00:24:53.720 as someone lowly. 00:24:53.940 --> 00:24:54.400 The Hittites 00:24:54.400 --> 00:24:55.060 described him 00:24:55.060 --> 00:24:56.039 as someone mighty, 00:24:56.259 --> 00:24:57.220 someone honoured. 00:24:58.560 --> 00:24:59.420 But what did 00:24:59.420 --> 00:25:00.340 they actually offer? 00:25:01.440 --> 00:25:02.220 Bury your dead 00:25:02.220 --> 00:25:03.180 in the choicest 00:25:03.180 --> 00:25:04.460 of our tombs. 00:25:04.460 --> 00:25:05.559 None of us 00:25:05.559 --> 00:25:06.120 will withhold 00:25:06.120 --> 00:25:06.600 from you 00:25:06.600 --> 00:25:07.759 his tomb 00:25:07.759 --> 00:25:08.640 to hinder you 00:25:08.640 --> 00:25:09.180 from burying 00:25:09.180 --> 00:25:09.700 your dead. 00:25:09.880 --> 00:25:10.539 Now on the face 00:25:10.539 --> 00:25:10.720 of it, 00:25:10.759 --> 00:25:11.380 this is a generous 00:25:11.380 --> 00:25:11.779 offer. 00:25:12.380 --> 00:25:13.000 The choicest 00:25:13.000 --> 00:25:13.660 of tombs, 00:25:13.819 --> 00:25:14.700 none will withhold 00:25:14.700 --> 00:25:15.319 from you. 00:25:15.900 --> 00:25:16.480 It's an open 00:25:16.480 --> 00:25:16.980 invitation. 00:25:17.180 --> 00:25:17.740 Bury Sarah 00:25:17.740 --> 00:25:18.519 wherever you like, 00:25:19.019 --> 00:25:19.559 whichever tomb 00:25:19.559 --> 00:25:20.000 you want. 00:25:20.799 --> 00:25:21.920 The best of tombs. 00:25:22.059 --> 00:25:23.120 You have complete 00:25:23.120 --> 00:25:23.960 freedom of choice, 00:25:24.059 --> 00:25:24.340 Abraham. 00:25:26.240 --> 00:25:27.059 But as often 00:25:27.059 --> 00:25:27.519 in business 00:25:27.519 --> 00:25:28.140 negotiations, 00:25:28.360 --> 00:25:28.960 what is not 00:25:28.960 --> 00:25:29.860 said can be 00:25:29.859 --> 00:25:30.659 even more important 00:25:30.659 --> 00:25:31.319 than what is 00:25:31.319 --> 00:25:31.740 said. 00:25:34.319 --> 00:25:35.039 For example, 00:25:35.139 --> 00:25:35.819 here the Hittites 00:25:35.819 --> 00:25:36.539 do not use 00:25:36.539 --> 00:25:36.899 the word 00:25:36.899 --> 00:25:37.359 give, 00:25:37.979 --> 00:25:38.479 nor do they 00:25:38.479 --> 00:25:38.979 use the word 00:25:38.979 --> 00:25:39.479 property. 00:25:41.419 --> 00:25:41.879 And notice 00:25:41.879 --> 00:25:42.539 the possessive 00:25:42.539 --> 00:25:43.079 pronouns, 00:25:43.259 --> 00:25:43.799 the choicest 00:25:43.799 --> 00:25:45.119 of our tombs. 00:25:46.259 --> 00:25:46.979 None of us 00:25:46.979 --> 00:25:47.519 will withhold 00:25:47.519 --> 00:25:48.039 from you 00:25:48.039 --> 00:25:49.639 his tomb. 00:25:50.839 --> 00:25:51.579 What they're 00:25:51.579 --> 00:25:52.039 offering, 00:25:52.339 --> 00:25:52.699 Abraham, 00:25:52.699 --> 00:25:54.019 is not a piece 00:25:54.019 --> 00:25:54.599 of property 00:25:54.599 --> 00:25:55.059 which would 00:25:55.059 --> 00:25:55.940 become his, 00:25:57.059 --> 00:25:58.160 but a place 00:25:58.160 --> 00:25:59.420 in their 00:25:59.420 --> 00:26:00.059 tombs. 00:26:01.299 --> 00:26:02.139 That Sarah 00:26:02.139 --> 00:26:02.779 would be 00:26:02.779 --> 00:26:03.720 interred 00:26:03.720 --> 00:26:04.420 in one of 00:26:04.420 --> 00:26:05.500 their burial 00:26:05.500 --> 00:26:06.000 places. 00:26:08.359 --> 00:26:08.660 Now, 00:26:09.619 --> 00:26:09.879 I mean, 00:26:09.920 --> 00:26:10.839 it's possible 00:26:10.839 --> 00:26:11.819 that the 00:26:11.819 --> 00:26:12.200 Hittites 00:26:12.200 --> 00:26:12.559 are being 00:26:12.559 --> 00:26:13.200 insincere, 00:26:13.299 --> 00:26:13.559 that they're 00:26:13.559 --> 00:26:14.000 sort of making 00:26:14.000 --> 00:26:14.559 a show of 00:26:14.559 --> 00:26:15.359 being courteous 00:26:15.359 --> 00:26:15.900 and generous 00:26:15.900 --> 00:26:16.319 and so on, 00:26:16.539 --> 00:26:17.059 but actually 00:26:17.059 --> 00:26:17.839 they're withholding. 00:26:18.019 --> 00:26:19.039 They want 00:26:19.039 --> 00:26:20.279 to maintain 00:26:20.279 --> 00:26:21.119 their monopoly 00:26:21.119 --> 00:26:22.259 on the land 00:26:22.259 --> 00:26:23.680 and deny 00:26:23.680 --> 00:26:24.720 Abraham any 00:26:24.720 --> 00:26:25.559 opportunity to 00:26:25.559 --> 00:26:26.359 get even his 00:26:26.359 --> 00:26:27.379 tiny share, 00:26:27.519 --> 00:26:28.180 portion of it. 00:26:29.180 --> 00:26:29.920 You could 00:26:29.920 --> 00:26:30.960 read chapter 23 00:26:30.960 --> 00:26:31.460 and that would 00:26:31.460 --> 00:26:32.059 make sense, 00:26:32.259 --> 00:26:32.940 but on balance 00:26:32.940 --> 00:26:33.720 I don't think 00:26:33.720 --> 00:26:34.559 that's the case. 00:26:35.839 --> 00:26:36.640 I think, 00:26:36.740 --> 00:26:37.379 at least at this 00:26:37.379 --> 00:26:37.599 point, 00:26:37.680 --> 00:26:38.140 their words 00:26:38.140 --> 00:26:38.960 are sincere. 00:26:40.359 --> 00:26:41.079 What they're 00:26:41.079 --> 00:26:41.900 proposing is 00:26:41.900 --> 00:26:42.680 in essence 00:26:42.680 --> 00:26:44.220 that they 00:26:44.220 --> 00:26:44.859 would treat 00:26:44.859 --> 00:26:45.980 Abraham as 00:26:45.980 --> 00:26:46.579 one of their 00:26:46.579 --> 00:26:47.019 own. 00:26:49.000 --> 00:26:49.740 They know 00:26:49.740 --> 00:26:50.559 Abraham's a man 00:26:50.559 --> 00:26:51.279 of substance, 00:26:51.279 --> 00:26:52.859 they want 00:26:52.859 --> 00:26:53.660 closer ties 00:26:53.660 --> 00:26:54.160 with him. 00:26:55.680 --> 00:26:56.019 Abraham 00:26:56.019 --> 00:26:56.799 sees himself 00:26:56.799 --> 00:26:57.420 as a foreigner 00:26:57.420 --> 00:26:58.079 and a sojourner, 00:26:58.379 --> 00:26:59.059 they see him 00:26:59.059 --> 00:26:59.619 as a prince 00:26:59.619 --> 00:27:00.059 of God 00:27:00.059 --> 00:27:00.940 in our midst. 00:27:02.319 --> 00:27:02.960 They want 00:27:02.960 --> 00:27:03.559 Abraham to 00:27:03.559 --> 00:27:04.039 be one of 00:27:04.039 --> 00:27:05.660 them and 00:27:05.660 --> 00:27:05.980 whichever 00:27:05.980 --> 00:27:06.720 Hittite got 00:27:06.720 --> 00:27:07.180 to share 00:27:07.180 --> 00:27:07.920 his tomb 00:27:07.920 --> 00:27:08.279 with the 00:27:08.279 --> 00:27:09.059 great Abraham 00:27:09.059 --> 00:27:09.839 would be 00:27:09.839 --> 00:27:10.420 honoured by 00:27:10.420 --> 00:27:11.220 the association. 00:27:13.980 --> 00:27:14.420 Well, 00:27:14.460 --> 00:27:14.740 let's look 00:27:14.740 --> 00:27:15.099 at the next 00:27:15.099 --> 00:27:15.680 request and 00:27:15.680 --> 00:27:16.099 see if that 00:27:16.099 --> 00:27:16.500 fits, 00:27:17.079 --> 00:27:17.440 the second 00:27:17.440 --> 00:27:18.099 exchange 00:27:18.099 --> 00:27:18.680 in verse 00:27:18.680 --> 00:27:20.579 7. 00:27:21.279 --> 00:27:22.720 Abraham 00:27:22.720 --> 00:27:23.720 rose 00:27:23.720 --> 00:27:25.539 and bowed 00:27:25.539 --> 00:27:26.220 to the 00:27:26.220 --> 00:27:26.819 Hittites, 00:27:27.180 --> 00:27:28.539 the people 00:27:28.539 --> 00:27:29.099 of the 00:27:29.099 --> 00:27:29.519 land. 00:27:29.779 --> 00:27:30.000 Now, 00:27:30.079 --> 00:27:30.779 notice in 00:27:30.779 --> 00:27:31.160 verse 3, 00:27:31.220 --> 00:27:31.460 Abraham 00:27:31.460 --> 00:27:32.379 rose and 00:27:32.379 --> 00:27:32.819 spoke to 00:27:32.819 --> 00:27:33.240 the Hittites, 00:27:33.319 --> 00:27:33.680 now he 00:27:33.680 --> 00:27:34.500 rose and 00:27:34.500 --> 00:27:35.259 bowed. 00:27:36.240 --> 00:27:36.779 A physical 00:27:36.779 --> 00:27:37.519 gesture of 00:27:37.519 --> 00:27:38.160 respect, 00:27:38.379 --> 00:27:38.779 deference, 00:27:39.619 --> 00:27:40.339 abasance, 00:27:41.079 --> 00:27:41.619 a word that 00:27:41.619 --> 00:27:42.039 can even be 00:27:42.039 --> 00:27:42.379 used of 00:27:42.379 --> 00:27:42.720 worship. 00:27:44.079 --> 00:27:44.879 He bowed 00:27:44.879 --> 00:27:45.139 to the 00:27:45.139 --> 00:27:45.799 Hittites, 00:27:46.399 --> 00:27:47.039 now further 00:27:47.039 --> 00:27:47.879 described as 00:27:47.879 --> 00:27:48.899 the people 00:27:48.900 --> 00:27:49.320 of the 00:27:49.320 --> 00:27:49.840 land. 00:27:50.840 --> 00:27:51.420 We 00:27:51.420 --> 00:27:51.800 remember 00:27:51.800 --> 00:27:52.759 that this 00:27:52.759 --> 00:27:53.560 land, 00:27:53.900 --> 00:27:54.680 which 00:27:54.680 --> 00:27:55.140 currently 00:27:55.140 --> 00:27:55.800 belonged to 00:27:55.800 --> 00:27:56.160 the 00:27:56.160 --> 00:27:56.660 Hittites 00:27:56.660 --> 00:27:57.280 and others, 00:27:58.000 --> 00:27:58.440 is the 00:27:58.440 --> 00:27:58.940 land that 00:27:58.940 --> 00:27:59.440 God had 00:27:59.440 --> 00:28:00.019 promised 00:28:00.019 --> 00:28:00.480 Abraham 00:28:00.480 --> 00:28:00.980 and his 00:28:00.980 --> 00:28:01.460 descendants. 00:28:02.500 --> 00:28:03.200 God would 00:28:03.200 --> 00:28:03.620 give it to 00:28:03.620 --> 00:28:04.820 them in 00:28:04.820 --> 00:28:05.160 time. 00:28:08.160 --> 00:28:08.680 And 00:28:08.680 --> 00:28:09.180 verse 8, 00:28:09.180 --> 00:28:09.539 and he 00:28:09.539 --> 00:28:10.060 said to 00:28:10.060 --> 00:28:10.360 them, 00:28:10.779 --> 00:28:11.220 if you 00:28:11.220 --> 00:28:11.960 are willing 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:12.640 that I 00:28:12.640 --> 00:28:13.200 should bury 00:28:13.200 --> 00:28:13.759 my dead 00:28:13.759 --> 00:28:14.160 out of 00:28:14.160 --> 00:28:14.799 my sight, 00:28:15.200 --> 00:28:16.000 hear me 00:28:16.000 --> 00:28:17.019 and entreat 00:28:17.019 --> 00:28:17.380 for me 00:28:17.380 --> 00:28:18.019 Ephron the 00:28:18.019 --> 00:28:18.340 son of 00:28:18.340 --> 00:28:18.840 Zohar, 00:28:19.019 --> 00:28:19.519 that he 00:28:19.519 --> 00:28:20.180 may give 00:28:20.180 --> 00:28:20.740 me the 00:28:20.740 --> 00:28:21.779 cave of 00:28:21.779 --> 00:28:22.660 Machpelah, 00:28:22.960 --> 00:28:23.620 which he 00:28:23.620 --> 00:28:24.360 owns, 00:28:25.480 --> 00:28:25.960 it is at 00:28:25.960 --> 00:28:26.259 the end 00:28:26.259 --> 00:28:26.580 of his 00:28:26.580 --> 00:28:27.060 field, 00:28:28.440 --> 00:28:29.160 for the 00:28:29.160 --> 00:28:30.360 full price, 00:28:31.220 --> 00:28:31.680 let him 00:28:31.680 --> 00:28:32.180 give it to 00:28:32.180 --> 00:28:32.880 me in 00:28:32.880 --> 00:28:33.779 your presence 00:28:33.779 --> 00:28:35.440 as property 00:28:35.440 --> 00:28:36.539 for a 00:28:36.539 --> 00:28:36.860 burying 00:28:36.860 --> 00:28:37.400 place. 00:28:37.400 --> 00:28:39.360 Abraham 00:28:39.360 --> 00:28:40.120 names the 00:28:40.120 --> 00:28:40.740 burial place 00:28:40.740 --> 00:28:41.100 he wants, 00:28:41.180 --> 00:28:41.540 the cave 00:28:41.540 --> 00:28:41.680 of 00:28:41.680 --> 00:28:42.280 Machpelah, 00:28:43.040 --> 00:28:43.420 currently 00:28:43.420 --> 00:28:44.040 belongs to 00:28:44.040 --> 00:28:44.500 Ephron, 00:28:45.259 --> 00:28:45.620 the son 00:28:45.620 --> 00:28:46.300 of Zohar, 00:28:47.340 --> 00:28:48.460 but Abraham 00:28:48.460 --> 00:28:49.240 doesn't merely 00:28:49.240 --> 00:28:49.940 ask that he 00:28:49.940 --> 00:28:50.560 can bury 00:28:50.560 --> 00:28:51.440 Sarah there, 00:28:51.560 --> 00:28:51.860 which had 00:28:51.860 --> 00:28:52.080 already 00:28:52.080 --> 00:28:52.740 effectively been 00:28:52.740 --> 00:28:53.160 offered in 00:28:53.160 --> 00:28:53.620 verse 6, 00:28:53.680 --> 00:28:53.980 to bury 00:28:53.980 --> 00:28:54.380 her wherever 00:28:54.380 --> 00:28:54.940 he liked, 00:28:55.940 --> 00:28:56.420 Abraham 00:28:56.420 --> 00:28:57.400 emphatically 00:28:57.400 --> 00:28:58.280 wants to 00:28:58.280 --> 00:28:59.140 purchase it 00:28:59.140 --> 00:29:00.540 for the 00:29:00.540 --> 00:29:01.180 full price, 00:29:01.280 --> 00:29:01.620 not a 00:29:01.620 --> 00:29:01.920 gift, 00:29:02.759 --> 00:29:03.440 but fairly 00:29:03.440 --> 00:29:04.140 purchased, 00:29:04.420 --> 00:29:04.800 let him 00:29:04.800 --> 00:29:05.300 give it to 00:29:05.300 --> 00:29:05.519 me, 00:29:05.620 --> 00:29:06.320 not share 00:29:06.320 --> 00:29:06.740 it with 00:29:06.740 --> 00:29:07.180 me, 00:29:07.400 --> 00:29:08.380 but transfer 00:29:08.380 --> 00:29:09.060 it to 00:29:09.060 --> 00:29:09.460 me, 00:29:10.040 --> 00:29:10.519 in your 00:29:10.519 --> 00:29:10.940 presence, 00:29:11.060 --> 00:29:11.560 a legally 00:29:11.560 --> 00:29:12.060 binding 00:29:12.060 --> 00:29:12.800 contract, 00:29:13.680 --> 00:29:14.400 taking place 00:29:14.400 --> 00:29:14.680 at the 00:29:14.680 --> 00:29:15.060 gate of 00:29:15.060 --> 00:29:15.460 the city 00:29:15.460 --> 00:29:15.759 where 00:29:15.759 --> 00:29:16.420 business 00:29:16.420 --> 00:29:17.040 transactions 00:29:17.040 --> 00:29:17.600 occurred, 00:29:17.860 --> 00:29:18.980 as property, 00:29:19.940 --> 00:29:20.259 Abraham 00:29:20.259 --> 00:29:20.880 would own 00:29:20.880 --> 00:29:21.160 it. 00:29:23.000 --> 00:29:23.680 How would 00:29:23.680 --> 00:29:23.920 Ephron 00:29:23.920 --> 00:29:24.519 respond? 00:29:25.340 --> 00:29:25.920 Verse 10, 00:29:26.920 --> 00:29:27.420 now Ephron 00:29:27.420 --> 00:29:27.920 was sitting 00:29:27.920 --> 00:29:28.340 among the 00:29:28.340 --> 00:29:28.820 Hittites, 00:29:28.940 --> 00:29:29.280 and Ephron 00:29:29.280 --> 00:29:29.920 the Hittite 00:29:29.920 --> 00:29:31.040 answered Abraham 00:29:31.040 --> 00:29:31.860 in the hearing 00:29:31.860 --> 00:29:32.280 of the 00:29:32.280 --> 00:29:32.840 Hittites, 00:29:33.080 --> 00:29:33.780 of all 00:29:33.780 --> 00:29:34.340 who went 00:29:34.340 --> 00:29:35.080 in at 00:29:35.080 --> 00:29:35.400 the gate 00:29:35.400 --> 00:29:35.600 of the 00:29:35.600 --> 00:29:35.759 city. 00:29:35.759 --> 00:29:36.740 See how 00:29:36.740 --> 00:29:37.099 many times 00:29:37.099 --> 00:29:37.460 we're hearing 00:29:37.460 --> 00:29:37.759 the word 00:29:37.759 --> 00:29:38.259 Hittites 00:29:38.259 --> 00:29:38.559 in that 00:29:38.559 --> 00:29:38.920 verse? 00:29:42.220 --> 00:29:42.599 No, 00:29:42.720 --> 00:29:43.220 my Lord, 00:29:43.299 --> 00:29:43.839 hear me, 00:29:44.599 --> 00:29:45.160 I give 00:29:45.160 --> 00:29:45.779 you the 00:29:45.779 --> 00:29:46.240 field, 00:29:46.900 --> 00:29:47.319 and I 00:29:47.319 --> 00:29:48.200 give you 00:29:48.200 --> 00:29:48.779 the cave 00:29:48.779 --> 00:29:49.279 that's in 00:29:49.279 --> 00:29:49.480 it. 00:29:50.019 --> 00:29:50.400 In the 00:29:50.400 --> 00:29:50.740 sight of 00:29:50.740 --> 00:29:51.180 the sons 00:29:51.180 --> 00:29:51.559 of my 00:29:51.559 --> 00:29:51.900 people, 00:29:52.019 --> 00:29:52.740 I give 00:29:52.740 --> 00:29:53.099 it to 00:29:53.099 --> 00:29:53.440 you, 00:29:54.039 --> 00:29:54.240 bury 00:29:54.240 --> 00:29:54.859 your dead. 00:29:56.640 --> 00:29:57.119 Three 00:29:57.119 --> 00:29:57.700 times 00:29:57.700 --> 00:29:59.000 Ephron 00:29:59.000 --> 00:29:59.480 now says 00:29:59.480 --> 00:30:00.099 I give, 00:30:01.000 --> 00:30:01.259 and in 00:30:01.259 --> 00:30:01.379 fact, 00:30:01.420 --> 00:30:01.779 not just 00:30:01.779 --> 00:30:02.400 the cave, 00:30:02.400 --> 00:30:03.720 but the 00:30:03.720 --> 00:30:04.259 field as 00:30:04.259 --> 00:30:04.600 well. 00:30:05.560 --> 00:30:06.100 In the 00:30:06.100 --> 00:30:06.400 sight of 00:30:06.400 --> 00:30:06.560 my 00:30:06.560 --> 00:30:06.840 people, 00:30:06.940 --> 00:30:07.140 there are 00:30:07.140 --> 00:30:07.580 witnesses, 00:30:09.440 --> 00:30:09.900 implied 00:30:09.900 --> 00:30:10.200 there's 00:30:10.200 --> 00:30:10.620 no need 00:30:10.620 --> 00:30:10.759 for 00:30:10.759 --> 00:30:11.080 payment, 00:30:11.200 --> 00:30:11.460 this is 00:30:11.460 --> 00:30:11.660 my 00:30:11.660 --> 00:30:11.920 gift 00:30:11.920 --> 00:30:12.120 for 00:30:12.120 --> 00:30:12.220 you, 00:30:12.280 --> 00:30:12.360 you 00:30:12.360 --> 00:30:12.519 don't 00:30:12.519 --> 00:30:12.660 need 00:30:12.660 --> 00:30:12.800 to 00:30:12.800 --> 00:30:13.040 pay 00:30:13.040 --> 00:30:13.460 Abraham. 00:30:14.160 --> 00:30:14.440 Now 00:30:14.440 --> 00:30:14.840 why did 00:30:14.840 --> 00:30:15.120 Ephron 00:30:15.120 --> 00:30:15.400 make 00:30:15.400 --> 00:30:15.700 this 00:30:15.700 --> 00:30:16.019 offer? 00:30:16.500 --> 00:30:16.660 Well, 00:30:16.680 --> 00:30:16.860 I think 00:30:16.860 --> 00:30:17.140 there are 00:30:17.140 --> 00:30:17.380 four 00:30:17.380 --> 00:30:18.040 possibilities. 00:30:19.700 --> 00:30:20.820 Let me 00:30:20.820 --> 00:30:21.140 talk through 00:30:21.140 --> 00:30:21.480 the four 00:30:21.480 --> 00:30:21.759 of them. 00:30:25.660 --> 00:30:26.140 Was 00:30:26.140 --> 00:30:26.519 it about 00:30:26.519 --> 00:30:26.980 tax 00:30:26.980 --> 00:30:27.360 levies 00:30:27.360 --> 00:30:27.660 on the 00:30:27.660 --> 00:30:27.920 land? 00:30:28.040 --> 00:30:28.140 Now 00:30:28.140 --> 00:30:28.500 some 00:30:28.500 --> 00:30:29.200 commentators 00:30:29.200 --> 00:30:29.740 suggest 00:30:29.740 --> 00:30:30.300 that 00:30:30.300 --> 00:30:30.880 according to 00:30:30.880 --> 00:30:32.700 later 00:30:32.700 --> 00:30:33.260 Hittite 00:30:33.260 --> 00:30:33.740 law, 00:30:34.660 --> 00:30:35.020 if you 00:30:35.020 --> 00:30:35.700 gave away 00:30:35.700 --> 00:30:36.540 a small 00:30:36.540 --> 00:30:37.240 part of 00:30:37.240 --> 00:30:37.900 your land, 00:30:38.000 --> 00:30:38.380 the person 00:30:38.380 --> 00:30:38.800 who received 00:30:38.800 --> 00:30:39.240 the small 00:30:39.240 --> 00:30:39.860 part wouldn't 00:30:39.860 --> 00:30:40.340 have to pay 00:30:40.340 --> 00:30:40.820 the taxes 00:30:40.820 --> 00:30:41.140 on the 00:30:41.140 --> 00:30:41.380 land, 00:30:41.600 --> 00:30:41.900 but if 00:30:41.900 --> 00:30:42.260 you gave 00:30:42.260 --> 00:30:42.800 away a 00:30:42.800 --> 00:30:43.180 large 00:30:43.180 --> 00:30:43.600 part or 00:30:43.600 --> 00:30:43.900 the whole 00:30:43.900 --> 00:30:44.140 thing, 00:30:44.440 --> 00:30:44.760 the person 00:30:44.760 --> 00:30:45.160 who received 00:30:45.160 --> 00:30:45.460 the land 00:30:45.460 --> 00:30:45.720 would have 00:30:45.720 --> 00:30:46.200 to pay 00:30:46.200 --> 00:30:46.660 the taxes. 00:30:46.780 --> 00:30:46.920 Just 00:30:46.920 --> 00:30:47.360 acquiring 00:30:47.360 --> 00:30:47.780 a small 00:30:47.780 --> 00:30:48.380 part didn't 00:30:48.380 --> 00:30:48.960 bring any 00:30:48.960 --> 00:30:50.340 tax obligation 00:30:50.340 --> 00:30:50.840 with it. 00:30:51.620 --> 00:30:52.080 So maybe 00:30:52.080 --> 00:30:52.800 Ephron doesn't 00:30:52.800 --> 00:30:53.220 want to just 00:30:53.220 --> 00:30:53.760 give a small 00:30:53.760 --> 00:30:54.060 part, he 00:30:54.060 --> 00:30:54.340 wants to 00:30:54.340 --> 00:30:54.860 give the 00:30:54.860 --> 00:30:56.000 field as 00:30:56.000 --> 00:30:56.280 well, 00:30:56.580 --> 00:30:57.000 so that 00:30:57.000 --> 00:30:57.560 Ephron is 00:30:57.560 --> 00:30:58.220 relieved of 00:30:58.220 --> 00:30:58.640 the tax 00:30:58.640 --> 00:30:59.360 obligations of 00:30:59.360 --> 00:30:59.760 the land. 00:30:59.759 --> 00:31:00.660 I mean, 00:31:00.759 --> 00:31:01.240 that's 00:31:01.240 --> 00:31:02.079 possible, 00:31:02.259 --> 00:31:02.359 right? 00:31:02.579 --> 00:31:03.119 I don't 00:31:03.119 --> 00:31:03.539 think that 00:31:03.539 --> 00:31:04.379 is likely 00:31:04.379 --> 00:31:05.019 the explanation 00:31:05.019 --> 00:31:06.000 because that 00:31:06.000 --> 00:31:07.119 law is 00:31:07.119 --> 00:31:07.559 later, 00:31:08.700 --> 00:31:09.099 it's not 00:31:09.099 --> 00:31:09.920 exactly clear 00:31:09.920 --> 00:31:10.259 how it 00:31:10.259 --> 00:31:10.440 would have 00:31:10.440 --> 00:31:10.980 applied at 00:31:10.980 --> 00:31:11.680 this time, 00:31:12.500 --> 00:31:15.160 and the 00:31:15.160 --> 00:31:16.779 earning potential 00:31:16.779 --> 00:31:17.440 of the land 00:31:17.440 --> 00:31:18.180 would primarily 00:31:18.180 --> 00:31:18.779 be with the 00:31:18.779 --> 00:31:19.480 field, not 00:31:19.480 --> 00:31:20.299 the cave, 00:31:21.319 --> 00:31:22.879 so Ephron is 00:31:22.879 --> 00:31:23.379 offering to 00:31:23.379 --> 00:31:23.799 give away 00:31:23.799 --> 00:31:24.700 something valuable, 00:31:24.700 --> 00:31:26.500 people, and 00:31:26.500 --> 00:31:26.900 I don't 00:31:26.900 --> 00:31:27.460 think Israelites 00:31:27.460 --> 00:31:28.539 reading Genesis 00:31:28.539 --> 00:31:29.400 would have 00:31:29.400 --> 00:31:29.819 that sort 00:31:29.819 --> 00:31:30.799 of later 00:31:30.799 --> 00:31:31.680 Hittite law 00:31:31.680 --> 00:31:32.160 in their 00:31:32.160 --> 00:31:32.740 minds as 00:31:32.740 --> 00:31:33.160 they read 00:31:33.160 --> 00:31:33.640 this text 00:31:33.640 --> 00:31:34.200 anyway, so 00:31:34.200 --> 00:31:34.700 I don't 00:31:34.700 --> 00:31:35.080 think that's 00:31:35.080 --> 00:31:35.620 the explanation 00:31:35.620 --> 00:31:35.940 here. 00:31:37.140 --> 00:31:37.680 Okay, second 00:31:37.680 --> 00:31:38.080 possible 00:31:38.080 --> 00:31:38.600 explanation, 00:31:39.180 --> 00:31:39.799 possibly if 00:31:39.799 --> 00:31:40.240 there's no 00:31:40.240 --> 00:31:41.319 purchase price, 00:31:41.680 --> 00:31:42.380 could Ephron 00:31:42.380 --> 00:31:43.460 or his sons 00:31:43.460 --> 00:31:44.519 contest the 00:31:44.519 --> 00:31:45.220 legality of 00:31:45.220 --> 00:31:45.759 the exchange 00:31:45.759 --> 00:31:46.160 later? 00:31:46.440 --> 00:31:46.700 I mean, 00:31:46.720 --> 00:31:47.120 maybe they 00:31:47.120 --> 00:31:47.440 want to 00:31:47.440 --> 00:31:48.180 leave open 00:31:48.180 --> 00:31:48.700 to the idea 00:31:48.700 --> 00:31:49.340 that they 00:31:49.340 --> 00:31:49.920 could come 00:31:49.920 --> 00:31:50.640 back at a 00:31:50.640 --> 00:31:51.200 later stage 00:31:51.200 --> 00:31:51.420 and say, 00:31:51.480 --> 00:31:51.580 well, 00:31:51.580 --> 00:31:52.039 Abraham didn't 00:31:52.039 --> 00:31:52.600 pay for it, 00:31:53.200 --> 00:31:54.039 now we want 00:31:54.039 --> 00:31:54.460 it back. 00:31:56.779 --> 00:31:57.519 I guess 00:31:57.519 --> 00:31:57.879 that's 00:31:57.879 --> 00:31:58.319 possible, 00:31:58.539 --> 00:31:58.759 I think 00:31:58.759 --> 00:31:59.039 that is 00:31:59.039 --> 00:31:59.460 possible, 00:32:00.079 --> 00:32:01.399 and from 00:32:01.399 --> 00:32:02.019 Abraham's 00:32:02.019 --> 00:32:02.420 perspective, 00:32:02.559 --> 00:32:02.960 maybe it's 00:32:02.960 --> 00:32:03.420 a less 00:32:03.420 --> 00:32:04.139 secure 00:32:04.139 --> 00:32:04.899 exchange 00:32:04.899 --> 00:32:06.159 if he 00:32:06.159 --> 00:32:06.460 doesn't 00:32:06.460 --> 00:32:06.899 pay the 00:32:06.899 --> 00:32:07.639 full price, 00:32:08.220 --> 00:32:08.579 but this 00:32:08.579 --> 00:32:08.879 may be 00:32:08.879 --> 00:32:09.200 part of 00:32:09.200 --> 00:32:09.299 the 00:32:09.299 --> 00:32:09.779 explanation. 00:32:10.339 --> 00:32:10.599 Third 00:32:10.599 --> 00:32:10.899 possible 00:32:10.899 --> 00:32:11.319 explanation, 00:32:11.579 --> 00:32:12.000 maybe what's 00:32:12.000 --> 00:32:12.500 taking place 00:32:12.500 --> 00:32:12.960 here is a 00:32:12.960 --> 00:32:13.279 social 00:32:13.279 --> 00:32:14.039 pantomime. 00:32:15.519 --> 00:32:15.680 I mean, 00:32:15.759 --> 00:32:16.440 Ephron could 00:32:16.440 --> 00:32:17.159 make the 00:32:17.159 --> 00:32:17.579 offer, 00:32:18.240 --> 00:32:18.759 which would 00:32:18.759 --> 00:32:19.500 win 00:32:19.500 --> 00:32:20.159 Ephron's 00:32:20.159 --> 00:32:20.480 social 00:32:20.480 --> 00:32:21.059 credit for 00:32:21.059 --> 00:32:21.480 being so 00:32:21.480 --> 00:32:21.960 generous, 00:32:22.159 --> 00:32:22.559 to give 00:32:22.559 --> 00:32:22.960 away the 00:32:22.960 --> 00:32:23.399 land and 00:32:23.399 --> 00:32:23.899 the cave, 00:32:24.039 --> 00:32:25.920 but it 00:32:25.920 --> 00:32:26.420 would be an 00:32:26.420 --> 00:32:27.079 outrageous 00:32:27.079 --> 00:32:28.159 breach of 00:32:28.159 --> 00:32:28.579 social 00:32:28.579 --> 00:32:29.839 etiquette for 00:32:29.839 --> 00:32:30.480 Abraham to 00:32:30.480 --> 00:32:31.159 accept the 00:32:31.159 --> 00:32:31.460 offer, 00:32:32.440 --> 00:32:33.000 so Ephron 00:32:33.000 --> 00:32:33.619 can make 00:32:33.619 --> 00:32:34.279 the offer 00:32:34.279 --> 00:32:35.960 risk-free, 00:32:36.339 --> 00:32:36.960 knowing that 00:32:36.960 --> 00:32:38.099 Abraham's never 00:32:38.099 --> 00:32:38.420 going to 00:32:38.420 --> 00:32:38.980 accept it. 00:32:40.319 --> 00:32:40.700 Again, 00:32:40.779 --> 00:32:41.379 I think that's 00:32:41.379 --> 00:32:41.700 possible, 00:32:41.819 --> 00:32:42.700 but I don't 00:32:42.700 --> 00:32:43.259 think it's the 00:32:43.259 --> 00:32:44.119 best explanation. 00:32:45.720 --> 00:32:46.539 I think the 00:32:46.539 --> 00:32:47.139 most likely 00:32:47.139 --> 00:32:47.899 explanation for 00:32:47.899 --> 00:32:48.759 why Ephron is 00:32:48.759 --> 00:32:49.399 offering to give 00:32:49.399 --> 00:32:49.980 the cave and 00:32:49.980 --> 00:32:50.680 the land is 00:32:50.680 --> 00:32:51.299 that Ephron 00:32:51.299 --> 00:32:52.339 wanted to 00:32:52.339 --> 00:32:53.379 place Abraham 00:32:53.379 --> 00:32:54.339 in his 00:32:54.339 --> 00:32:54.740 debt. 00:32:57.159 --> 00:32:57.759 Legally, 00:32:57.959 --> 00:32:58.319 formally, 00:32:58.459 --> 00:32:58.699 he would 00:32:58.699 --> 00:32:59.139 be giving 00:32:59.139 --> 00:32:59.699 the cave, 00:32:59.859 --> 00:33:00.240 giving the 00:33:00.240 --> 00:33:00.679 field for 00:33:00.679 --> 00:33:01.079 nothing, 00:33:01.539 --> 00:33:02.059 a generous 00:33:02.059 --> 00:33:02.539 gift, 00:33:02.539 --> 00:33:04.500 but in an 00:33:04.500 --> 00:33:05.339 honour culture, 00:33:06.299 --> 00:33:07.939 a gift given 00:33:07.939 --> 00:33:08.579 like that 00:33:08.579 --> 00:33:09.079 wouldn't 00:33:09.079 --> 00:33:10.199 necessarily be 00:33:10.199 --> 00:33:11.959 a no-strings-attached 00:33:11.959 --> 00:33:12.439 gift. 00:33:14.019 --> 00:33:14.779 Financially, 00:33:14.919 --> 00:33:15.639 Abraham would be 00:33:15.639 --> 00:33:16.220 debt-free. 00:33:18.000 --> 00:33:18.599 Socially, 00:33:18.859 --> 00:33:19.759 Abraham would be 00:33:19.759 --> 00:33:20.579 obligated to 00:33:20.579 --> 00:33:21.019 Ephron. 00:33:22.099 --> 00:33:23.099 The gift would 00:33:23.099 --> 00:33:23.960 form a bond 00:33:23.960 --> 00:33:24.660 between the 00:33:24.660 --> 00:33:26.000 two, a 00:33:26.000 --> 00:33:26.480 sense of 00:33:26.480 --> 00:33:26.779 duty, 00:33:26.980 --> 00:33:27.940 less tangible 00:33:27.940 --> 00:33:28.579 than money, 00:33:29.440 --> 00:33:29.980 but actually 00:33:29.980 --> 00:33:31.099 stronger and 00:33:31.099 --> 00:33:31.720 deeper and 00:33:31.720 --> 00:33:32.440 more enduring. 00:33:34.039 --> 00:33:34.859 In other 00:33:34.859 --> 00:33:35.160 words, 00:33:35.279 --> 00:33:35.900 Ephron is 00:33:35.900 --> 00:33:36.859 again offering 00:33:36.859 --> 00:33:37.299 what the 00:33:37.299 --> 00:33:37.859 Hittites had 00:33:37.859 --> 00:33:38.319 offered in 00:33:38.319 --> 00:33:39.059 verse 6, 00:33:39.740 --> 00:33:40.259 a way of 00:33:40.259 --> 00:33:40.799 honouring, 00:33:41.000 --> 00:33:42.000 answering Abraham's 00:33:42.000 --> 00:33:42.920 request that 00:33:42.920 --> 00:33:43.759 would result in 00:33:43.759 --> 00:33:44.720 Abraham and his 00:33:44.720 --> 00:33:45.859 family moving 00:33:45.859 --> 00:33:47.039 a few steps 00:33:47.039 --> 00:33:48.200 closer to 00:33:48.200 --> 00:33:48.859 being one 00:33:48.859 --> 00:33:49.379 with the 00:33:49.379 --> 00:33:49.939 Hittites. 00:33:54.919 --> 00:33:55.699 One clue 00:33:55.699 --> 00:33:56.439 that persuades 00:33:56.439 --> 00:33:57.279 me this is 00:33:57.279 --> 00:33:57.939 how we 00:33:57.939 --> 00:33:58.519 take this 00:33:58.519 --> 00:33:59.539 chapter comes 00:33:59.539 --> 00:34:01.359 actually in 00:34:01.359 --> 00:34:01.619 the beginning 00:34:01.619 --> 00:34:02.079 of the next 00:34:02.079 --> 00:34:02.439 chapter. 00:34:02.779 --> 00:34:03.059 Look at 00:34:03.059 --> 00:34:03.699 chapter 24. 00:34:03.799 --> 00:34:04.339 Remember I 00:34:04.339 --> 00:34:04.659 showed you 00:34:04.659 --> 00:34:04.939 how these 00:34:04.939 --> 00:34:05.459 two chapters 00:34:05.459 --> 00:34:05.819 are linked? 00:34:06.039 --> 00:34:06.279 Look at 00:34:06.279 --> 00:34:06.919 chapter 24 00:34:06.919 --> 00:34:07.519 verses 1 00:34:07.519 --> 00:34:07.779 to 4. 00:34:07.859 --> 00:34:08.079 This is 00:34:08.079 --> 00:34:08.759 where Abraham 00:34:08.759 --> 00:34:09.699 begins to 00:34:09.699 --> 00:34:10.119 look for a 00:34:10.119 --> 00:34:10.579 wife for 00:34:10.579 --> 00:34:11.059 his son. 00:34:12.339 --> 00:34:12.539 Chapter 00:34:12.539 --> 00:34:12.920 24. 00:34:13.039 --> 00:34:13.599 Now Abraham 00:34:13.599 --> 00:34:14.239 was old, 00:34:14.339 --> 00:34:14.940 well advanced 00:34:14.940 --> 00:34:15.599 in years, 00:34:15.699 --> 00:34:15.960 and the 00:34:15.960 --> 00:34:16.359 Lord had 00:34:16.359 --> 00:34:16.599 blessed 00:34:16.599 --> 00:34:17.239 Abraham in 00:34:17.239 --> 00:34:17.839 all things, 00:34:18.179 --> 00:34:18.679 and Abraham 00:34:18.679 --> 00:34:19.259 said to 00:34:19.259 --> 00:34:19.779 his servant, 00:34:19.879 --> 00:34:20.239 the oldest 00:34:20.239 --> 00:34:20.579 of his 00:34:20.579 --> 00:34:21.099 household, 00:34:21.779 --> 00:34:22.159 who had 00:34:22.159 --> 00:34:22.679 charge of 00:34:22.679 --> 00:34:22.939 all that 00:34:22.939 --> 00:34:23.419 he had, 00:34:23.419 --> 00:34:24.039 put your 00:34:24.039 --> 00:34:24.639 hand under 00:34:24.639 --> 00:34:25.219 my thigh 00:34:25.219 --> 00:34:25.599 that I 00:34:25.599 --> 00:34:26.119 may make 00:34:26.119 --> 00:34:26.699 you swear 00:34:26.699 --> 00:34:27.139 by the 00:34:27.139 --> 00:34:27.379 Lord, 00:34:27.479 --> 00:34:27.739 the God 00:34:27.739 --> 00:34:28.119 of heaven 00:34:28.119 --> 00:34:28.439 and the 00:34:28.439 --> 00:34:28.599 God 00:34:28.599 --> 00:34:28.919 of earth, 00:34:29.239 --> 00:34:29.639 that you 00:34:29.639 --> 00:34:30.539 will not 00:34:30.539 --> 00:34:31.279 take a 00:34:31.279 --> 00:34:31.919 wife for 00:34:31.919 --> 00:34:32.599 my son 00:34:32.599 --> 00:34:33.219 from the 00:34:33.219 --> 00:34:33.639 daughters of 00:34:33.639 --> 00:34:34.379 the Canaanites 00:34:34.379 --> 00:34:34.979 among whom 00:34:34.979 --> 00:34:35.539 I dwell, 00:34:36.479 --> 00:34:37.179 but will 00:34:37.179 --> 00:34:37.819 go to my 00:34:37.819 --> 00:34:38.519 country and 00:34:38.519 --> 00:34:38.859 to my 00:34:38.859 --> 00:34:39.419 kindred and 00:34:39.419 --> 00:34:39.839 take a 00:34:39.839 --> 00:34:40.219 wife for 00:34:40.219 --> 00:34:40.739 my son 00:34:40.739 --> 00:34:41.519 Isaac. 00:34:43.879 --> 00:34:44.099 See, 00:34:44.500 --> 00:34:45.279 chapter 23 00:34:45.279 --> 00:34:45.699 is about 00:34:45.699 --> 00:34:46.219 land, 00:34:46.219 --> 00:34:48.219 chapter 24 00:34:48.219 --> 00:34:48.719 is about 00:34:48.719 --> 00:34:49.339 descendants, 00:34:49.719 --> 00:34:50.259 a wife for 00:34:50.259 --> 00:34:50.799 Isaac, 00:34:51.659 --> 00:34:52.279 but in 00:34:52.279 --> 00:34:53.059 both cases 00:34:53.059 --> 00:34:53.500 Abraham 00:34:53.500 --> 00:34:54.379 recognised 00:34:54.379 --> 00:34:55.159 that his 00:34:55.159 --> 00:34:56.699 family must 00:34:56.699 --> 00:34:57.959 remain distinct 00:34:57.959 --> 00:34:59.119 from the 00:34:59.119 --> 00:34:59.599 people of 00:34:59.599 --> 00:35:00.119 the land. 00:35:01.799 --> 00:35:02.559 If he 00:35:02.559 --> 00:35:03.259 accepted the 00:35:03.259 --> 00:35:03.659 Hittites 00:35:03.659 --> 00:35:04.099 offer to 00:35:04.099 --> 00:35:04.659 share a 00:35:04.659 --> 00:35:05.559 tomb or 00:35:05.559 --> 00:35:06.480 to receive 00:35:06.480 --> 00:35:08.039 land free, 00:35:08.719 --> 00:35:09.119 a free 00:35:09.119 --> 00:35:09.579 gift of 00:35:09.579 --> 00:35:09.980 land, 00:35:10.459 --> 00:35:10.819 if he 00:35:10.819 --> 00:35:11.579 took a 00:35:11.579 --> 00:35:12.500 wife for 00:35:12.500 --> 00:35:13.079 Isaac from 00:35:13.079 --> 00:35:13.559 among the 00:35:13.559 --> 00:35:14.159 Canaanites, 00:35:14.480 --> 00:35:15.119 either of those 00:35:15.119 --> 00:35:15.420 things are 00:35:15.420 --> 00:35:15.960 the kind 00:35:15.960 --> 00:35:16.539 of moves 00:35:16.539 --> 00:35:17.239 that step 00:35:17.239 --> 00:35:18.059 by step 00:35:18.059 --> 00:35:18.799 would see 00:35:18.799 --> 00:35:19.539 Abraham's 00:35:19.539 --> 00:35:20.159 family and 00:35:20.159 --> 00:35:20.739 Abraham's 00:35:20.739 --> 00:35:22.279 descendants merge 00:35:22.279 --> 00:35:23.059 in with the 00:35:23.059 --> 00:35:24.980 Canaanites and 00:35:24.980 --> 00:35:25.719 cease to be a 00:35:25.719 --> 00:35:26.559 distinct line. 00:35:28.139 --> 00:35:29.199 So look at how 00:35:29.199 --> 00:35:30.159 Abraham answered 00:35:30.159 --> 00:35:32.980 Ephron with his 00:35:32.980 --> 00:35:33.779 third request, 00:35:33.859 --> 00:35:34.159 the third 00:35:34.159 --> 00:35:34.799 exchange in 00:35:34.799 --> 00:35:35.920 verse 12. 00:35:35.920 --> 00:35:36.820 verse 12. 00:35:38.340 --> 00:35:39.220 Then Abraham 00:35:39.220 --> 00:35:40.059 bowed down 00:35:40.059 --> 00:35:40.579 before the 00:35:40.579 --> 00:35:40.980 people of 00:35:40.980 --> 00:35:41.340 the land. 00:35:41.400 --> 00:35:41.860 Notice he's 00:35:41.860 --> 00:35:42.139 now, 00:35:42.240 --> 00:35:43.940 he's gone from 00:35:43.940 --> 00:35:44.840 rising to 00:35:44.840 --> 00:35:45.480 rising and 00:35:45.480 --> 00:35:45.820 bowing, 00:35:45.860 --> 00:35:46.380 now just to 00:35:46.380 --> 00:35:46.800 bowing. 00:35:47.960 --> 00:35:48.880 Abraham bowed 00:35:48.880 --> 00:35:49.619 down before the 00:35:49.619 --> 00:35:50.139 people of the 00:35:50.139 --> 00:35:52.039 land and he 00:35:52.039 --> 00:35:52.440 said to 00:35:52.440 --> 00:35:53.139 Ephron in the 00:35:53.139 --> 00:35:53.940 hearing of the 00:35:53.940 --> 00:35:54.619 people of the 00:35:54.619 --> 00:35:54.900 land, 00:35:54.980 --> 00:35:58.139 he said to 00:35:58.139 --> 00:35:58.639 Ephron in the 00:35:58.639 --> 00:35:59.200 hearing of the 00:35:59.200 --> 00:35:59.720 people of the 00:35:59.720 --> 00:36:00.119 land, 00:36:00.119 --> 00:36:07.639 But if you will hear me, if you will hear me, I give the price of the field. 00:36:08.679 --> 00:36:12.799 Accept it from me that I may bury my dead there. 00:36:15.619 --> 00:36:21.599 The Hittites tried to forge union, but Abraham insists on distinction. 00:36:23.619 --> 00:36:26.839 He insists on paying the price for the field. 00:36:26.840 --> 00:36:33.200 Now, before we move on to Ephron's offer in verses 14 to 15, let's spend a few minutes thinking about this. 00:36:34.059 --> 00:36:45.700 What we see in Genesis is that Abraham and Isaac and their descendants were called to be distinct from the nations for the sake of the nations. 00:36:47.140 --> 00:36:50.079 God's not against the nations, far from it. 00:36:51.059 --> 00:36:55.640 God called Abraham, God made covenants with him for the sake of the nations. 00:36:56.840 --> 00:37:01.220 So that through Abraham's seed, all the families of the earth might be blessed. 00:37:02.900 --> 00:37:09.519 But Abraham's family couldn't bring blessing to the nations by blending with the nations. 00:37:10.400 --> 00:37:12.200 They needed to remain distinct. 00:37:12.199 --> 00:37:20.739 The heirs of God's promises, the chosen channel for his blessing would need to be a holy people. 00:37:21.779 --> 00:37:22.859 Called to be separate. 00:37:23.279 --> 00:37:24.179 Called to be different. 00:37:24.599 --> 00:37:25.779 Called to be distinctive. 00:37:25.780 --> 00:37:38.340 All around, as Ephron and the Hittites beckoned to Abraham, the nations would beckon to Israel, join with us. 00:37:39.340 --> 00:37:40.500 Intermarry with us. 00:37:41.000 --> 00:37:42.280 Become one with us. 00:37:43.700 --> 00:37:44.760 Worship with us. 00:37:44.760 --> 00:38:03.780 And when at last the promised seed of Abraham came, in due course, when the prince of God, in whom the nations would find blessing, came, the offers did not stop. 00:38:03.780 --> 00:38:08.260 The offer of the easy path to glory. 00:38:09.220 --> 00:38:12.580 Look, all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 00:38:13.180 --> 00:38:14.660 All these I will give you. 00:38:15.320 --> 00:38:17.280 If you'll fall down and worship me. 00:38:19.019 --> 00:38:21.019 The offer of fame and recognition. 00:38:21.760 --> 00:38:24.680 Lord, everyone is looking for you. 00:38:24.679 --> 00:38:29.579 The offer to prove himself in the world's eyes. 00:38:29.940 --> 00:38:33.319 Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you. 00:38:35.759 --> 00:38:40.179 The offer to be a conquering Christ, not a suffering Christ. 00:38:40.460 --> 00:38:42.059 Far be it from you, Lord. 00:38:42.579 --> 00:38:44.239 This should never happen to you. 00:38:47.319 --> 00:38:49.739 The offer to have others defend him. 00:38:50.539 --> 00:38:52.579 Lord, shall we strike with the sword? 00:38:54.679 --> 00:38:57.219 The offer to defend himself. 00:38:58.419 --> 00:38:59.899 Will you not speak to me? 00:39:01.079 --> 00:39:05.839 Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you? 00:39:08.099 --> 00:39:09.419 The offer to escape. 00:39:10.759 --> 00:39:15.099 If you are the son of God, come down from the cross. 00:39:16.419 --> 00:39:17.659 He saved others. 00:39:18.139 --> 00:39:21.779 Let him save himself if he's the Christ, the chosen one. 00:39:21.780 --> 00:39:28.780 The seed of Abraham came and the offers did not stop. 00:39:30.700 --> 00:39:35.920 But the seed of Abraham could not save others if he saved himself. 00:39:37.360 --> 00:39:46.700 He couldn't be the kind of Christ God called him to be if he was the kind of Christ they asked him to be. 00:39:46.699 --> 00:39:52.079 He couldn't help the nations if he was like the nations. 00:39:53.480 --> 00:39:57.059 Of course, in many ways, Jesus had to be one of us. 00:39:57.339 --> 00:39:58.119 Made human. 00:39:58.480 --> 00:40:00.019 Sharing flesh and blood with us. 00:40:00.359 --> 00:40:02.059 Tempted in every way as we are. 00:40:03.339 --> 00:40:06.659 But he also had to be different from us. 00:40:07.819 --> 00:40:08.819 Without sin. 00:40:10.079 --> 00:40:10.599 Separate. 00:40:11.539 --> 00:40:12.019 Spotless. 00:40:12.639 --> 00:40:13.079 Undefiled. 00:40:13.079 --> 00:40:16.239 The Holy One of God in our midst. 00:40:17.059 --> 00:40:18.199 The righteous one. 00:40:19.119 --> 00:40:20.940 Who suffered for the unrighteous. 00:40:22.860 --> 00:40:28.900 Jesus could only bless the nations by being distinct from the nations. 00:40:28.900 --> 00:40:38.780 And there's a sense in which that's true even of us, the people Jesus has saved. 00:40:40.940 --> 00:40:43.019 The New Testament calls us saints. 00:40:43.519 --> 00:40:44.240 Holy ones. 00:40:45.559 --> 00:40:47.519 People who are called to be a part. 00:40:48.380 --> 00:40:49.559 Set apart by God. 00:40:50.119 --> 00:40:52.960 Of course, we've become holy ones in a different way to Jesus. 00:40:52.960 --> 00:40:57.579 He's holy one by virtue of his own, by his own virtue and merit. 00:40:58.360 --> 00:41:03.500 We're holy ones only because we've been sanctified in him and by God's spirit. 00:41:03.720 --> 00:41:04.720 We've been washed. 00:41:04.840 --> 00:41:05.539 We've been purified. 00:41:05.659 --> 00:41:06.740 We've been made holy. 00:41:07.260 --> 00:41:08.460 Set apart by God. 00:41:09.099 --> 00:41:12.220 But redeemed people are transformed people. 00:41:12.900 --> 00:41:16.300 And to bless the nations, we must be distinct from the nations. 00:41:16.300 --> 00:41:20.920 You are the salt of the earth, Jesus said. 00:41:21.519 --> 00:41:25.060 But if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? 00:41:26.160 --> 00:41:30.400 It's no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. 00:41:30.880 --> 00:41:32.580 You are the light of the world. 00:41:34.220 --> 00:41:36.120 A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 00:41:37.900 --> 00:41:43.400 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand and it gives light to all in the house. 00:41:43.400 --> 00:41:52.519 In the same way, let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. 00:41:54.680 --> 00:41:56.519 Or as we heard earlier from 1 Peter, 00:41:56.599 --> 00:42:02.639 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh which wage war against your soul. 00:42:03.380 --> 00:42:08.139 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honourable so that when they speak against you as evildoers, 00:42:08.240 --> 00:42:12.139 they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. 00:42:13.400 --> 00:42:18.840 Like Abraham, we live in this world as sojourners and foreigners. 00:42:19.700 --> 00:42:21.320 This is not our home. 00:42:22.840 --> 00:42:26.980 And who you vote for is not going to change that. 00:42:28.360 --> 00:42:34.840 Whether Australia is multicultural or monocultural is not going to change that. 00:42:34.840 --> 00:42:40.460 That we are sojourners and foreigners is not a political accident. 00:42:41.200 --> 00:42:43.160 It's a theological given. 00:42:44.240 --> 00:42:45.559 This is not our home. 00:42:46.680 --> 00:42:52.120 And every week, perhaps even every day, we will face offers from the world. 00:42:53.820 --> 00:42:55.500 Offers from the people of the land. 00:42:56.900 --> 00:42:57.680 Join with us. 00:42:58.880 --> 00:43:00.039 Be like us. 00:43:01.160 --> 00:43:02.579 Make your home with us. 00:43:02.579 --> 00:43:10.079 The world will offer you what Christian ethicist Andrew Cameron calls false inclusion. 00:43:11.519 --> 00:43:13.279 I mean, that's what's being offered to us. 00:43:13.380 --> 00:43:14.279 False inclusion. 00:43:14.559 --> 00:43:15.079 Belonging. 00:43:17.440 --> 00:43:21.199 The examples I'm about to give are partly mine and partly borrowed from his. 00:43:21.199 --> 00:43:32.899 Your office common room is dominated by grumbling about managers or the sarcastic mockery of customers. 00:43:34.219 --> 00:43:35.919 They expect you to join in. 00:43:35.920 --> 00:43:42.340 In your trade, everyone does business cash in hand. 00:43:43.119 --> 00:43:44.500 That's just the way things work. 00:43:45.220 --> 00:43:46.700 It keeps paperwork down. 00:43:46.920 --> 00:43:48.159 It keeps the customers happy. 00:43:49.159 --> 00:43:50.519 You've just been given a promotion. 00:43:50.960 --> 00:43:53.579 The boss sends you out to start giving quotes. 00:43:54.619 --> 00:43:55.579 What do you do? 00:43:55.579 --> 00:44:05.819 In the playground, a circle of girls giggles about another girl's odd habits and unflattering fashion. 00:44:07.099 --> 00:44:09.719 They look your way, inviting you to join in. 00:44:09.719 --> 00:44:19.059 It's Pride Month and your coach hands out rainbow armbands for everyone to wear during the game. 00:44:21.000 --> 00:44:23.119 He holds one out to you. 00:44:25.819 --> 00:44:34.839 A board meeting drifts towards a decision that camouflages an injustice or makes more money at the expense of some wider community good. 00:44:34.840 --> 00:44:37.120 Your vote is in doubt. 00:44:37.880 --> 00:44:39.140 You need to speak. 00:44:40.019 --> 00:44:41.320 They're eyeballing you. 00:44:44.440 --> 00:44:48.019 The pressure we face in moments like that is extreme. 00:44:49.280 --> 00:44:51.840 There is a powerful drive to fit in. 00:44:52.640 --> 00:44:54.960 To become one with the people of the land. 00:44:56.280 --> 00:45:00.519 But salt that loses its saltiness is good for nothing but being trampled underfoot. 00:45:01.240 --> 00:45:03.800 A lamp put under a basket cannot be seen. 00:45:03.800 --> 00:45:07.220 To bless the nations, we must be distinct from the nations. 00:45:08.840 --> 00:45:12.900 But when we are, there will be a cost. 00:45:15.300 --> 00:45:19.800 Let's look at Ephron's final offer to Abraham in verse 14, the third offer. 00:45:21.519 --> 00:45:23.300 Verse 14, Ephron answered Abraham, 00:45:23.300 --> 00:45:25.440 Abraham, my lord, listen to me. 00:45:26.340 --> 00:45:29.019 A piece of land worth 400 shekels of silver? 00:45:29.920 --> 00:45:31.740 What is that between you and me? 00:45:32.740 --> 00:45:33.600 Bury your dead. 00:45:35.400 --> 00:45:40.640 Abraham listened to Ephron and Abraham weighed out for Ephron the silver that he had named in the hearing of the Hittites. 00:45:41.000 --> 00:45:45.000 400 shekels of silver, according to the weights current among the merchants. 00:45:45.000 --> 00:45:48.920 Abraham had declined Ephron's gift. 00:45:50.179 --> 00:45:54.860 But now Ephron names his price 400 shekels of silver. 00:45:54.980 --> 00:45:56.019 His speech is smooth. 00:45:56.099 --> 00:45:57.380 I mean, what is that between you? 00:45:57.420 --> 00:45:59.539 This little piece of land, what is that between you and me? 00:46:00.079 --> 00:46:02.480 But actually, the price he nominates is steep. 00:46:02.480 --> 00:46:10.340 It's hard to know exactly because we don't know how large this plot of land is that Ephron's selling to Abraham. 00:46:11.300 --> 00:46:13.960 But we could compare it to other prices in the Bible. 00:46:15.199 --> 00:46:19.539 The value of a slave in the book of Exodus is given at 30 shekels of silver. 00:46:20.240 --> 00:46:23.840 The annual contribution to the tabernacle, half a shekel of silver. 00:46:23.840 --> 00:46:32.860 A field that would be sowed with 220 litres of barley seed, 50 shekels of silver in Leviticus 27. 00:46:33.600 --> 00:46:37.980 The redemption price for a firstborn son, five shekels of silver. 00:46:38.620 --> 00:46:43.579 A gift offered to a prophet for an oracle in 1 Samuel 9, a quarter of a shekel. 00:46:44.720 --> 00:46:52.240 A reward given to a soldier for killing an enemy king, ten shekels of silver and a belt. 00:46:53.840 --> 00:47:01.920 Or a kind of hyperbolic reward, like a ridiculous amount of money, a thousand shekels. 00:47:02.579 --> 00:47:10.480 The price David paid for the temple site and for some oxen to sacrifice there, 50 shekels of silver in 2 Samuel 24. 00:47:10.700 --> 00:47:13.740 The price Jeremiah paid for a field during the siege of Jerusalem. 00:47:13.860 --> 00:47:18.559 Now, admittedly, during the siege is probably not the best time for property prices if you're selling. 00:47:18.559 --> 00:47:22.559 But 17 shekels. 00:47:23.420 --> 00:47:24.559 17 shekels. 00:47:26.079 --> 00:47:31.599 Given Ephron's immediate willingness to part with the field for nothing, it's probably not incredibly large. 00:47:31.659 --> 00:47:33.239 His livelihood didn't depend on it. 00:47:34.279 --> 00:47:43.400 But that alongside these other, you know, kind of prices we see in the Old Testament suggests to me that 400 shekels for this field is a high price. 00:47:43.400 --> 00:47:45.300 Probably very high. 00:47:47.360 --> 00:47:50.360 I mean, it was probably just Ephron's starting price. 00:47:51.119 --> 00:47:52.420 Haggling would have been standard. 00:47:52.559 --> 00:47:54.639 He expected Abraham to bargain him down. 00:47:57.039 --> 00:48:03.740 Or maybe Ephron's like the, you know, the tradie who quotes you five times the price to fix some leaking pipes because he doesn't actually want to do it. 00:48:03.739 --> 00:48:07.339 I mean, he names this ridiculously high price. 00:48:08.099 --> 00:48:09.779 But Abraham doesn't bargain. 00:48:10.579 --> 00:48:12.159 He just pays the price. 00:48:13.419 --> 00:48:23.739 He doesn't want to give Ephron, the Hittite, any opportunity to claim that he has shown, that he has shown Abraham a favour. 00:48:25.739 --> 00:48:28.419 Or to claim in the future that the payment was insufficient. 00:48:28.420 --> 00:48:35.880 He pays the high price to be distinct from the nations, that he might be for the nations. 00:48:38.039 --> 00:48:43.579 Likewise, whenever we offer, whenever we refuse an offer of false inclusion, it will cost us something. 00:48:44.720 --> 00:48:46.559 There'll be a price we must pay. 00:48:47.960 --> 00:48:50.059 You might lose some business or customers. 00:48:51.260 --> 00:48:52.880 You might lose some opportunities. 00:48:54.460 --> 00:48:56.800 It might cost you some friends, some friendships. 00:48:56.800 --> 00:49:00.820 People will resent you at times. 00:49:02.380 --> 00:49:06.680 People will, as 1 Peter 2 says, speak against you as evildoers. 00:49:08.860 --> 00:49:10.640 But how can you help the nations? 00:49:11.200 --> 00:49:13.780 How can we help the nations unless we are salt and light? 00:49:13.780 --> 00:49:21.040 So, verse 16, Abraham weighed out for Ephron the full price. 00:49:21.580 --> 00:49:28.040 And verse 17, the field of Ephron in Machpelah, which was to the east of Mamre, the field with the cave that was in it, 00:49:28.120 --> 00:49:30.920 and all the trees that were in the field throughout its whole area, 00:49:30.920 --> 00:49:39.480 was made over to Abraham as a possession in the presence of the Hittites before all who went in at the gate of his city. 00:49:40.680 --> 00:49:47.500 After this, Abraham buried Sarah, his wife, in the cave of the field of Machpelah, east of Mamre, that is Hebron, in the land of Canaan. 00:49:47.500 --> 00:49:55.579 The field and the cave that is in it were made over to Abraham as property for a burying place by the Hittites. 00:49:55.659 --> 00:49:57.539 Can you hear all the repetition in that section? 00:49:58.179 --> 00:50:06.380 I mean, in a sense, the burial of Sarah is secondary here almost to the transfer of the land, 00:50:06.380 --> 00:50:08.559 the acquisition of the land by Abraham. 00:50:12.519 --> 00:50:17.500 This chapter is not only about burying Sarah, it's also about Abraham acquiring property in the land, 00:50:17.559 --> 00:50:24.340 a small part of the land, just a tiny part, but a deposit that guaranteed what was to come. 00:50:25.880 --> 00:50:35.400 As we have a deposit, a guarantee of our future inheritance in the Spirit of God who sanctifies us. 00:50:36.380 --> 00:50:39.940 The offers were declined. 00:50:41.019 --> 00:50:45.820 The high price was paid for the sake of what God had promised. 00:50:47.960 --> 00:50:52.000 And when the world beckons you with its offers of false inclusion, 00:50:53.000 --> 00:50:56.660 and when you bear the cost for saying no, 00:50:56.659 --> 00:51:12.879 remember the one who said no to the challenge to come down from the cross, 00:51:13.719 --> 00:51:18.799 the one who died alone, forsaken by all, 00:51:18.800 --> 00:51:22.460 the one who bore the cost for you, 00:51:23.500 --> 00:51:30.720 so that through him, the blessing of Abraham might come to all nations. 00:51:32.180 --> 00:51:33.080 Let's pray. 00:51:33.079 --> 00:51:45.860 Heavenly Father, we thank you for our perfect, holy, spotless Lord, 00:51:46.860 --> 00:51:51.799 who willingly gave his life for us, 00:51:53.239 --> 00:51:58.239 who bore the cost of being apart from the nations, 00:51:58.239 --> 00:52:01.579 so that he might be for the nations. 00:52:02.059 --> 00:52:02.979 We thank you for Jesus. 00:52:03.879 --> 00:52:05.159 We thank you that through him, 00:52:05.279 --> 00:52:09.659 we come to receive the blessing that you've promised to Abraham, 00:52:10.519 --> 00:52:12.799 that we have an inheritance, 00:52:12.939 --> 00:52:15.919 an eternal inheritance prepared for us, 00:52:16.879 --> 00:52:19.339 that we have our sins forgiven, 00:52:19.639 --> 00:52:22.159 and we may call you our God and our Father. 00:52:22.159 --> 00:52:25.239 We thank you for the blessing you've given to us through Jesus. 00:52:26.679 --> 00:52:29.739 And we pray, Lord, that you would help us to be distinctive, 00:52:30.379 --> 00:52:32.399 to live as salt and light in this world, 00:52:32.779 --> 00:52:35.699 to say no to all the world's offers 00:52:35.699 --> 00:52:40.579 that would be displeasing to you, 00:52:41.399 --> 00:52:43.440 that would muddy our distinctiveness, 00:52:43.839 --> 00:52:46.920 give us a desire to please you, 00:52:47.759 --> 00:52:49.799 to live as your holy people, 00:52:49.799 --> 00:52:51.839 to bear whatever cost may come, 00:52:53.000 --> 00:52:54.159 and not just for you, Lord, 00:52:54.259 --> 00:52:57.379 but as we seek to live distinctive lives in this world, 00:52:57.440 --> 00:52:59.480 we pray that it would impact those around us, 00:52:59.719 --> 00:53:01.579 that people would come to praise you, 00:53:02.319 --> 00:53:04.519 they would glorify the name of Christ, 00:53:05.019 --> 00:53:07.039 they would be drawn to what is different 00:53:07.039 --> 00:53:08.559 because they can see that it is good. 00:53:09.739 --> 00:53:11.299 We pray all this in Jesus' name. 00:53:11.819 --> 00:53:12.139 Amen.