Genesis 23: Settling affairs

 Welcome to the Daily Bible Chapter. My name is James Leroy Wilson and I invite you to join me as we discover new insights and new perspectives from a very old book.

Reading from Young's Literal Translation and the New Revised Standard Version.

Neither God nor the LORD God has previously said anything about burying the dead, so apparently it was commonplace. 

As was memorializing the burial ground, at least among the rich and powerful. The location of Sarah's burial place was important to Abraham. After decades with his large, powerful band - what I've earlier referred to as a cult - Abraham still hadn't settled down to a permanent spot in Canaan.

It seems that Abraham was both wealthy and a legendary figure in the land of Canaan, but we must also remember that he was an alien. Those with whom he dwelt or dealt seemed to recognize his power and that "his" god, the LORD God, was with him. Bad things happened when you (even innocently) messed with Abraham or Sarah.

So it's no surprise that Ephron is willing to just give land and a cave to Abraham to bury Sarah. Abraham, however, insists on paying for it. Just as when he refused compensation from the King of Sodom, Abraham didn't want to be beholden to any real or unspoken debts or favors. He didn't want to feel like he "owed" Ephron anything.

Let things be settled quickly. Let's be done with things that are done. Be obliged to no one. 

Particularly when your spirit (symbolically, the descendents of Shem), represented as Abraham, has to deal with worldly matters (symbolically, descendents of Ham) represented here as the people of Canaan. 

Don't be tied down. 

Maybe that's why Abraham kept wandering through the land. He (the spirit) was not to be tied down. 

James Leroy Wilson writes Daily Miracles, The Daily Bible Chapter, JL Cells, and The MVP Chase. Thanks for your subscriptions and support!

(Photo credit: TyshkunVictor)