A life well lived

Slices

Prepare

Think of men and women of God who have died. Give thanks for lives well lived, centred on their strong Christian faith. How could their example influence you for good?

Bible passage

Genesis 25:1–18

The death of Abraham

25 Abraham had taken another wife, whose name was Keturah. She bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak and Shuah. Jokshan was the father of Sheba and Dedan; the descendants of Dedan were the Ashurites, the Letushites and the Leummites. The sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanok, Abida and Eldaah. All these were descendants of Keturah.

Abraham left everything he owned to Isaac. But while he was still living, he gave gifts to the sons of his concubines and sent them away from his son Isaac to the land of the east.

Abraham lived a hundred and seventy-five years. Then Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age, an old man and full of years; and he was gathered to his people. His sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah near Mamre, in the field of Ephron son of Zohar the Hittite, 10 the field Abraham had bought from the Hittites.[a] There Abraham was buried with his wife Sarah. 11 After Abraham’s death, God blessed his son Isaac, who then lived near Beer Lahai Roi.

Ishmael’s sons

12 This is the account of the family line of Abraham’s son Ishmael, whom Sarah’s slave, Hagar the Egyptian, bore to Abraham.

13 These are the names of the sons of Ishmael, listed in the order of their birth: Nebaioth the firstborn of Ishmael, Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, 14 Mishma, Dumah, Massa, 15 Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish and Kedemah. 16 These were the sons of Ishmael, and these are the names of the twelve tribal rulers according to their settlements and camps. 17 Ishmael lived a hundred and thirty-seven years. He breathed his last and died, and he was gathered to his people. 18 His descendants settled in the area from Havilah to Shur, near the eastern border of Egypt, as you go towards Ashur. And they lived in hostility towards all the tribes related to them.

WL

Explore

After a long and remarkable life lived by faith, Abraham was, at last, ‘… away from the body and at home with the Lord’ (2 Corinthians 5:8). Isaac (Sarah’s son) and Ishmael (Hagar’s son) cooperate to make sure their father is buried (v 9). They use the burial site Abraham himself had purchased for Sarah, nearly 40 years before. 

Sadly, the reunion between the brothers is short-lived (v 17). Abraham’s other children are mentioned, but do not play a particularly significant part in God’s plan for his chosen people. However, in verse 11, we read that God blesses Isaac. Isaac, Sarah and Abraham’s much longed-for only son and the principal heir, inherits everything from Abraham, including God’s promise to make his descendants into a great nation. And so, the fulfilment of God’s covenant promise can continue. The traditional campfire song ‘Father Abraham Had Many Sons’ concludes with the words, ‘I am one of them, and so are you, so let’s all praise the Lord!’* Praise him, indeed!

*Pierre Kartner, 1971

Author
Sue Clutterham

Respond

‘So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it’ (2 Corinthians 5:9). Ask God to help you follow Abraham’s example of faithful service.

 

Bible in a year

Read the Bible in a year: Genesis 45,46; Matthew 16

Pray for Scripture Union

The Scripture Union Retirees Network provides opportunities for fellowship for retired members of staff and volunteers. Pray for the networks’ management group as Prayers they plan a day in May for former members of staff and volunteers to meet, hear news of SU’s ministry and pray together.