ABRAHAM, THE FRIEND OF GOD
Abraham Gave Up The Ghost, And Died
Message Preached 7/12/98
We have spent many hours of study and teaching
on one of the most colorful characters of the Bible. We walked with Abram out of Ur to
Haran where his father Terah died (Gen 11). We came out of Haran with the many souls that
followed Abraham to a place that he did not know (Gen 12). We were with him building many
altars and visiting the Lord. We were with him in Egypt where he said Sarah was his sister
the first time. We watched as Abram and Lot separated because of strife (Gen 13). There
was rescuing Lot and the communion with Melchizedek (Gen 14). There was the natural
covenant of Genesis 15 where the animals were sacrificed. There was the spiritual covenant
in Genesis 17 where Isaac was promised. We were with Abraham and Sarah as they went
through the Hagar and Ishmael situation (Gen 16). We watched as the Lord changed Abram and
Sarai to Abraham and Sarah (Gen 17). We watched as the Lord God visited and ate with
Abraham and told Abraham of the destruction of Sodom (Gen 18). We heard Abraham lie to
Abimelech (Gen 20). We were there when Isaac was born and when Isaac was weaned (Gen 21).
We went to Moriah with Abraham and Isaac to see Abraham’s hand stopped (Gen 22). We
were there when Sarah died (Gen 23). We watched as Abraham sent his servant to find a wife
for Isaac. We will today see Isaac and Rebekah married and Abraham marry again. We have
traveled with Abraham for more than 100 years of life. That study of Abraham, the friend
of God, concludes with this lesson. Today Abraham will die.
[Genesis 24:67] And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah,
and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother's
death.
1. and took Rebekah, and she became his wife
In our last lesson Abraham sent his servant to
find and bring back a wife for Isaac. Abraham set parameters for the wife of his son
Isaac. The wife could not come from the Canaanites. The wife must come from Abraham’s
kindred from the land of Mesopotamia. Plus the servant was made to agree that in no case
was Isaac to go back to Mesopotamia. The servant departed on his journey. He found Rebekah
. Rebekah then came back with the servant and became the wife of Isaac.
Abraham was 140 years old at that time. It was
interesting to me that there is no record of Abraham approving or disapproving of of
Rebekah’s selection. The obvious conclusion is that Abraham approved of Rebekah.
Abraham first set the parameters of her selection. Then he did all he could do to fulfill
those parameters. But once Rebekah came into the picture Abraham said little if anything
about the relationship between Rebekah and Isaac. Often parents set parameters and the
child submits. Then the parents attempt to control the relationship and even marriage. The
silence of the scriptures shows that Abraham did not do that. He allowed the love between
Isaac and Rebekah to grow and the marriage to transpire.
We learn that if parameters are not established
prior to the meeting of our child and a possible spouse it may be too late to attempt to
set parameters. Abraham had established the parameters early. Isaac was blessed because he
submitted to the parameters of his father. With our children we establish boundaries
early. If they properly submit to those boundaries then Father God will bless them
abundantly. If we have properly raised them they will come to us concerning serious
decisions. We will not need to force our way in. We will be invited in.
2. Isaac was comforted after his mother's death
Obviously Isaac was having some serious
problems getting over his mother’s death. According to Thompson Chain Reference
Bible, it was around 1860 B.C. when Sarah died. Then chapter 24 begins about 1857 B.C.
This was when the servant was sent to find a wife. That was three years after the death of
Sarah. Chapter 25 begins about 1853 B.C. seven years after the death of Sarah. Isaac
mourned too long over the death of his mom. The person that helped Isaac move on and stop
mourning was Rebekah his wife. The spouse comforted Isaac. In times of mourning a person
needs to draw from their spouse. No one else is able to comfort the way a spouse can
comfort.
[Genesis 25:1] Then again Abraham took a wife, and her name was Keturah.
[Genesis 25:2] And she bare him Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak,
and Shuah.
3. again Abraham took a wife
After the death of Sarah and the marriage of
Isaac and Rebekah, Abraham married again. Seldom do we hear taught this part of
Abraham’s life. It doesn’t fit into our image of “father Abraham” the
friend of God. We are not proud of Abraham and his marriage to a much younger woman. We
have problems working this into our “faith” messages. It does not seem to fit
into our gospel. This is especially true when we realize that the woman Abraham married
was probably young enough to be his granddaughter! Perhaps young enough to be his great
granddaughter. Most character studies skip over this part or make little mention of it.
It’s just not how we want to picture our father Abraham. We want him to be the sweet,
old, bald, and bearded grandfather sitting under a tree leaning on his cane He
couldn’t fall in love with a woman maybe 100 years younger than he was could he? He
couldn’t experience desire could he? We think that older people do not experience the
stirrings younger people experience. We think wrong. Why do you think the Lord puts this
wonderful narration into his word?
Abraham was no less than 140 years old at the
time of his marriage to Keturah. Keturah. will be Abraham’s third wife. Sarah was the
wife of his youth and companion and helpmeet. She helped Abraham bring forth the promised
seed. Hagar became Abraham’s wife at Sarah’s insistence (Gen 16:3). The marriage
of Hagar and Abraham was because Sarah wanted a child. Hagar departed and Sarah died.
Isaac married. Abraham, most likely lonely, married Keturah.
If Sarah’s purpose was to help Abraham
fulfill the promise of God and Hagar’s purpose was to give Sarah a child, what was
Keturah’s purpose? Keturah was more than a nurse. I read a commentary that said she
was his nurse. I laughed. She will do more for Abraham than fix breakfast and empty his
bed pan. She will give Abraham six (6) sons! Keturah’s purpose was to love Abraham.
She gave Abraham companionship and fulfillment in his old age. Keturah. added a sweetness
and aroma to Abraham’s life. Keturah’s name means “perfumed”.
6989 Qetuwrah
perfumed; Keturah., a wife of Abraham
Old people need companionship. If Abraham need
companionship at 140 then those of 60 or 70 surely do also. They need companionship as
much as young people need companionship. Perhaps even more. Old people need to feel loved
and need to feel alive. Then need aroma in their lives. They need perfume. When one spouse
goes on it is completely natural for the other spouse to marry again. Children and other
family members often have serious problems in regards to this. There are several reasons
and some are justified.
Children do not want any attempt made to
replace dad or mom. A remarriage of an older person is often interpreted as such.
Replacing mom or dad is not what an older person’s marrying again is about. As seen
above all three of Abraham’s wives had specific purposes. None could replace Sarah,
but neither could any replace Keturah. Abraham was not attempting to replace Sarah. Sarah
could not be replaced.
Another reason a family has problems with the
marrying of an older parent is inheritance. The widow or widower could marry a younger
person who has “gold digging” as their purpose. That is not uncommon. As we will
see, Abraham, the friend of God, made specific arrangements concerning this prior to his
death. Everybody got something, but Isaac got it all (Gen 25:5). Abraham made certain that
the rightful heir was protected.
4. she bare him Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah.
We are not told Keturah’s age, but we are
told that her womb was very fruitful. She gave Abraham six more sons. These six sons were
conceived when Abraham was over 140 years of age. Keturah. (perfume) brought life and
fragrance to Abraham. The Lord God returned to Abraham “the time of life” (Gen
18:10, 14). Abraham expressed that restoration. Though his age was old, his loins were
young. Keturah. gave Abraham joy of life. However, Keturah. could never give Abraham an
Isaac. She did give him love and life and companionship.
[Genesis 25:3] And Jokshan begat Sheba, and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan
were Asshurim, and Letushim, and Leummim. [4] And the sons of Midian; Ephah, and Epher,
and Hanoch, and Abidah, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah.
5. All these were the children of Keturah.
Of the six sons of Abraham by Keturah. we are
given only the lineage of Jokshan and Midian. We are not given the lineage of Zimran,
Medan, Ishbak, or Shuah. All Abraham’s sons became nations (tribes) in Arabia.
Ishmael also was a son of Abraham. Many nations find their geological ancestry in Abraham.
However, in the Lord God’s eyes, only one nation is truly the seed of Abraham.
[1 Peter 2:9] But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy
nation, a peculiar people
[Romans 9:7] Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In
Isaac shall thy seed be called.
[Galatians 3:16] Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to
seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
[Galatians 3:7] Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children
of Abraham.
[Galatians 3:28] There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is
neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
[Galatians 3:29] And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to
the promise.
[Colossians 3:11] Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision,
Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
The church is the holy nation of God. Only
those in Christ (His church) are Abraham’s seed. Romans 9:7 deals with the “seed
of Abraham” showing that because many were Abraham’s seed only in Isaac was the
seed called Abraham’s seed. That Seed was specific in Christ (Gal 3:16). Thus to be a
“seed of Abraham” one must be “in Christ”. In the day of the apostle
Paul slaves were common. Was it easier for a free person to be “in Christ”
(church) than a slave? Of course not. Is it easier for a male to be “in Christ”
(church) than it is for a female? Of course not. What about a circumcised person? Is it
easier for a circumcised person to be “in Christ” than an uncircumcised person?
Of course not. What about an American or a person from India? Is it easier for a person
form America to be “in Christ” than any other person? No, God forbid. Then why
do we let Dispensationalists teach that the Jews have some special position in God’s
economy when the scriptures strictly forbid such teaching? There is a dangerous
dispensational doctrine that says the natural Jews are really the true seed of Abraham. I
am of the seed of Abraham. I am of Isaac. I am a full heir.
[Genesis 25:5] And Abraham gave all that he had unto Isaac. [6] But unto
the sons of the concubines, which Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts, and sent them away from
Isaac his son, while he yet lived, eastward, unto the east country.
6. Abraham gave all that he had unto Isaac
Abraham “gave gifts” to the boys. To
Isaac Abraham gave all. Even though Hagar and Keturah. gave Abraham sons it was in Isaac
that the seed would be called Abraham’s seed (Gen 21:12; Rom 9:7; Heb 11:18). Abraham
made arrangements and made certain that the inheritance happened exactly as the Lord had
commanded. Gifts are one thing. The inheritance is another thing.
When an older person has children and marries
again plans should be made concerning the inheritance. In fact, it would be a good idea to
go ahead and distribute the inheritance. Why wait? Many problems and heart aches and
arguments could be avoided if the inheritance was handled prior to the death or even prior
to the marriage.
We--the church--are the seed of Abraham by
Sarah and through Isaac (Gal 4:31). We are not seed through Hagar nor Keturah. We are not
half-sons and half-daughters of the promise. According to Paul’s allegory in
Galatians 4:23-31 the natural Jews are the half brothers and sisters. Paul shows they were
from Hagar through Ishmael. It is actually the geological seed that is of the flesh and
not of the spirit. It is the geological seed that is from the natural Jerusalem and not of
the heavenly Jerusalem above. It is actually the geological seed that is of the old and
not the new. Yet, the dispensational doctrine would tell us that we get the
“gifts” and not the “all”. The bible says we get it all. We are the
declared heir!
[Genesis 21:12] And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy
sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto
thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.
[Galatians 4:30] Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the
bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of
the freewoman.
[Galatians 3:29] And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs
according to the promise.
[Romans 8:17] And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs
with Christ....
[Galatians 4:7] Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir
of God through Christ.
[Titus 3:7] That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to
the hope of eternal life.
[James 2:5] Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich
in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
[Galatians 3:7] Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the
children of Abraham.
[Galatians 3:28] There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is
neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
[Galatians 3:29] And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to
the promise.
[Colossians 3:11] Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision,
Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. (emphasis added)
[Genesis 25:7] And these are the days of the years of Abraham's life
which he lived, an hundred threescore and fifteen years. [8] Then Abraham gave up the
ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to
his people. [9] And his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the
field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, which is before Mamre;
7. Abraham gave up the ghost, and died
It came time for Abraham to die. Isaac had been
married 35 years. Esau and Jacob were born. Abraham got to see his grandchildren born. He
got to hold them and tell them about the Almighty God. He saw them grow up. Abraham lived
long and Abraham lived well. Abraham ran his race, kept his faith, and fulfilled his
purpose. He lived “full of years”. The time came for Abraham to die and Abraham
died well. I remember a movie I saw called “Brave Heart”. Mel Gibson had the
leading role and a line that he had will go with me always. He was about to die and knew
it. As he prayed he asked the Lord to help him “die well”. We want to live long
and we want to live well. Abraham, the friend of God also died well. Following are some
attributes of Abraham dying well.
a. Abraham gave up the ghost
The life spirit of Abraham was not forced from
him. “Abraham gave up the ghost.” We know this is exactly what the Lord did on
the cross. We know that Paul knew his time had come and also approached his departure in
this fashion. I firmly believe we should fight for every breath as long as we believe we
should be alive. When the time comes we too should be able to give up the ghost.
b. a good old age, an old man
Old age is good. Abraham walked with God and
enjoyed a long life on this planet. He kept his joy. So many old people become bitter and
mean, but when one walks with God old age is good.
c. full of years
Abraham was 175 when he died. That was a lot of
years, but not the emphasis of the verse. The emphasis is that the years were full. He
could have died old as the point prior spoke. Abraham died old and full of years. His
years were full of life and full of God and full of joy. Abraham lived an abundant life.
He enjoyed God. He enjoyed his family. His years were many, but more important his years
were full.
d. was gathered to his people
Death gathers us to our people. Who “our
people” are is decided while we live. We will be gathered to the wicked and evil or
be gathered to the righteous and just. But, unless the Lord returns, we will be gathered.
Abraham would not just lay dead in the ground until resurrection. The only person in the
ground with Abraham would be Sarah. Abraham was gathered to his people--Noah and Seth and
Shem.
[Genesis 25:9] And his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of
Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, which is before Mamre;
[10] The field which Abraham purchased of the sons of Heth: there was Abraham buried, and
Sarah his wife.
8. there was Abraham buried, and Sarah his wife
Abraham had already made arrangements for his
burial. He had purchased his grave site prior to his death. There would not be a last
minute decision. All knew exactly where Abraham would be buried. It was in the cave of
Machpelah. It would be at the same place Sarah was buried. Hagar would not be there.
Keturah. would not be there. It would only be Abraham and Sarah.
9. What do we learn from this lesson that we can apply to our lives today?
A. We must help our children establish parameters in finding a spouse. When those
parameters are heeded allow the couple to love. Parents are there to help, but not
control.
B. After the death of a spouse a person will still have needs and experience loneliness.
They will need aroma and fragrance in their lives. This is not abnormal. Nor is this
against biblical principles. Age does not stop loneliness nor terminate desires.
C. Parents marrying again after the death of their spouse should consider their own
children’s emotions and feelings. The children will feel an attempt is being made to
replace the deceased parent. Also the parent must assure his or her children that their
inheritance will not be endangered.
E. We as kingdom people should expect to live to a good old age. We should maintain our
joy. Our years should not only be many, but full. Life should be enjoyed. We should enjoy
our God, our church, our family, our friends, our occupations, etc. Our years should be
many and our years should be full. We should make final arrangements so our children will
not need to.
F. When the time comes to depart from this life we want to be able to “give up the
ghost” as did Abraham. Believers should be able to die well if they have lived well.
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