January 29, 2008                                                                     Two Small Fish

                            

Genesis Chapter 23

 

A Picture of God’s Bargain

To receive the greatest possible blessing from this Bible study, please take a moment to read the passage.

  For a Printer friendly Page Click Here | Genesis 24  

 

       Prayer:

            Heavenly Father, thank You for purchasing my eternal home through the blood of the Lamb. Although You do not expect compensation for it, I surrender my life to You in gratitude and love. In Jesus’ name, amen.

 

 

      Introduction:

           

            I offered to pay the extra charge on my bill for my mother’s cell phone for her All-holiday gift. She said that would be a good idea that way she wouldn’t have to worry about paying me every month. It made me feel good to be able to provide something she actually needed. The victory was short lived, however. The following month she handed me the usual cell phone fee.

            “Mother,” I said. “You can’t pay for your own gift. It’s just not done.”

            It wasn’t a matter of forgetfulness on her part. It was a matter of pride. She felt independent and good about taking care of her household.

            I must confess. It was a little bit of pride on my part too. I wanted to show her I love her and appreciate all she has done for my family and me.

 

 The Lesson:

 

            This chapter involves the bargaining for a burial ground for Sarah and eventually Abraham and his descendents. In purchasing this small parcel of ground, Abraham had gained a “seed” of the Promised Land.

            It was the custom in those days to bargain in this way. The Hittites did not intend to give the land to Abraham, and he was well aware of it. Abraham would not have accepted their pretended offer for to do so was a sign of weakness and would have indebted him and his descendents to foreigners. The price of the lot was high, but could be satisfied in no other way than by Abraham’s legitimate purchase.

            Can you hear the bargaining between God and the non-believer in this chapter?

            Non-believer: You are mighty, God, I will not accept payment for salvation. It is unnecessary, really. Instead, let me take care of the matter.

            God: What can you do for ME? I made the world and all things therein, I am the Lord of heaven and earth, and do not dwell in temples made with hands; neither am I worshipped with men’s hands, as though I need any thing, I give to all life, and breath, and all things. (Acts 17:24-25 paraphrased by me) I will redeem you out of the hand of the terrible. (Jeremiah 15: 21b paraphrased).

            Non-believer: Really, Lord, I cannot accept your offer. I will give you the best that I have to settle the issue.

            God: You are unclean and your best, even your righteousness, is as filthy rags; and you fade as a leaf, and your iniquities, like the wind, have taken you away (Isaiah 64:6 paraphrased). But I will justify you freely by My grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, My Son (Romans 3:24 paraphrased).

            Non-believer: God, you know as well as I do that what you are asking is my life. And the only reasonable price is yours for mine. But what is that among friends? I couldn’t ask such a price. And even if I did, I would not expect it of you. Let’s call it a draw. I’ll work hard for my salvation and manage my own life.

            God: For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time (1 Timothy 2:6 KJV). Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the man of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, who God raised from the dead . . . This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:10-12 KJV).

           

           

Conclusion and Challenge:

             

            As it was proper for Abraham to purchase a burial site for his beloved Sarah, God alone can purchase our eternal home. We only have to accept His offer. There is nothing more to do or say in the matter. We work neither to earn it nor to settle the score, but in gratitude for the gift .

            For we are bought with a price: therefore let’s glorify God in our bodies, and in our spirits, which are God’s (1Corinthians 6:20 paraphrased).

       Start a Ministry

 

            Start a new ministry. Print some business cards with a picture of a penny and the slogan “In God We Trust.” Under the slogan write: But are we trusting the one true God? If you like, place my website on it or yours or your church’s site. Hand them out—with your tip a restaurants, to passers-by, to cashiers, put them in all your outgoing mail. Pray earnestly for our nation’s revival.

            If you don’t have a computer or time to make cards, but would like to invest in this ministry, write to me via e-mail and I’ll send you some-FREE.