Chapter 23:
| Calvin
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 Revelation Exodus
Genesis 23
Concise Complete
The death of Sarah, Abraham applies for a
burying-place. (1-13) Sarah's burying-place. (14-20)
Verses 1-13 The
longest life must shortly come to a close. Blessed be God that there is a world
where sin, death, vanity, and vexation cannot enter. Blessed be his name, that
even death cannot part believers from union with Christ. Those whom we most
love, yea, even our own bodies, which we so care for, must soon become loathsome
lumps of clays, and be buried out of sight. How loose then should we be to all
earthly attachments and adornments! Let us seek rather that our souls be adorned
with heavenly graces. Abraham rendered honour and respect to the princes of
Heth, although of the ungodly Canaanites. The religion of the Bible enjoins to
pay due respect to all in authority, without flattering their persons, or
countenancing their crimes if they are unworthy characters. And the noble
generosity of these Canaanites shames and condemns the closeness, selfishness,
and ill-humour of many that call themselves Israelites. It was not in pride that
Abraham refused the gift, because he scorned to be beholden to Ephron; but in
justice and in prudence. Abraham was able to pay for the field, and therefore
would not take advantage of Ephron's generosity. Honesty, as well as honour,
forbids us to take advantage of our neighbour's liberality, and to impose, upon
those who give freely.
Verses 14-20
Prudence, as well as justice, directs us to be fair and open in our dealings;
cheating bargains will not bear the light. Abraham, without fraud or delay, pays
the money. He pays it at once in full, without keeping any part back; and by
weight, current money with the merchant, without deceit. See how anciently money
was used for the help of trade, and how honestly it should be paid when it is
due. Though all the land of Canaan was Abraham by promise, yet the time of his
possessing it not being come, what he had occasion for he bought and paid for.
Dominion is not founded in grace. The saints' title to an eternal inheritance
does not entitle them to the possessions of this world, nor justify them in
doing wrong. Ephron honestly and fairly makes a good title to the land. As that
which is bought, must be honestly paid for, so that which is sold, must be
honestly delivered and secured. Let us manage our concerns with punctuality and
exactness, in order to avoid contention. Abraham buried Sarah in cave. or vault,
which was in the purchased field. It would tend to endear the land to his
posterity. And it is worth noting, that a burying-place was the only piece of
the land which Abraham possessed in Canaan. Those who have least of this earth,
find a grave in it. This sepulchre was at the end of the field; whatever our
possessions are, there is a burial-place at the end of them. It was a token of
his belief and expectation of the resurrection. Abraham is contented to be still
a pilgrim while he lives, but secures a place where, when he dies, his flesh may
rest in hope. After all, the chief concern is, with whom we shall rise.
Chapter 23:
| Calvin
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 Revelation Exodus
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
