Abraham’s Tomb
I’ve been to Abraham’s tomb. It’s astounding in that the warring factions of Jew and Arab both visit the tomb, but use separate entrances… on separate days (if I remember correctly).
Hundreds and thousands visit the tomb annually, to commemorate the death of Abraham.
Preparing the Bride for GOD’s Story
How do we prepare as the Bride of Christ? One aspect is to learn GOD’S STORY. He created us in His image…. Piece by piece, and peace by peace, we learn to walk as He has walked. And we learn His perspective.
Genesis 25:7-11
“This is the sum of the years of Abraham’s life which he lived: one hundred and seventy-five years. Then Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people. And his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, which is before Mamre, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, the field which Abraham purchased from the sons of Heth. There Abraham was buried, and Sarah his wife. And it came to pass, after the death of Abraham, that God blessed his son Isaac. And Isaac dwelt at Beer Lahai Roi.”
Abraham was truly one of the forefathers. He lived 175 years — not so long as Adam or Noah, and yet much longer that Moses (at 120 years) and those born later in Hebraic history. He had — and has — an incredible influence on a huge proportion of people throughout history to today. But how did he live so long?
O Zone
We don’t live so long today. With all our medicine and all our wisdom, our life expectancy is about 80 years… better than in Tudor times, but not so good compared to early Biblical times…. Life began to shorten after the flood. Why?
Why is life expectancy now shorter than before the flood? Before the flood there was no rainfall. Before the flood a mist covered the earth to give moisture to the earth and the plants therein. (Genesis 27) Before the flood, perhaps the delicate O Zone was perfect as was all of creation; and yet, perhaps after the flood, this O Zone began to deteriorate. Perhaps that’s why life expectancy grew shorter after the flood. We just need to read the genealogy of the Hebrew people to attest to that.
Back to Abraham…
But I have strayed from my original intent, which is to discuss Abraham and his legacy.
With the funeral and burial of Abraham, we see the two brothers: Ishmael and Isaac, come back together to pay respects to their father. I wonder how closely they lived and how much they saw of one another?
And I wonder how Ishmael felt if he observed the blessings bestowed upon his younger brother?
Nevertheless, the two brothers buried their father next to Sarah, his wife (with no reference to Hagar, Ishmael’s mother). And to this day, the burial place is a monument to the Jewish and Arab faiths. Such a legacy!
Will we be remembered by our closest family and friends to the depth of this man Abraham to hundreds? If only a few steadfast folk remember us well, we will have done not-too-badly. Perhaps that’s one aspect of GOD’s point toward us: He is our shepherd, we are the sheep of His pasture, we are like an emblem representing Him to His people and to all people.
Never underestimate the impact one life can have on others… even your own!