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Bible Study Online ArticleLocated at the Bottom of Page In the last article, we'd discovered that the Lord had given Abraham another "faith challenge test." Know that this particular test -- dealt with Abraham being told by God, to offer up Isaac, as an offering unto Him.
Keep in mind that Isaac, is the only son, that Abraham and Sarah had together. Know that Abraham would do what the Lord had asked of him, without hesitation. For you must understand, that for Abraham, this particular act... would show that he had tremendous trust and faith, when it came to the Lord. For we must not forget, that Abraham had loved Isaac, with all his heart. But in spite of this love that he had for Isaac, we eventually find, that as Abraham was about to strike Isaac with that sacrificial fatal blow, the Lord had stepped in and stopped him. And because of this, the Lord would commend Abraham when it came to his obedience and faith: "Do not lay a hand on the boy; do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son." -- Genesis 22:12 However, we now move forward... And it's at this point from within our journey, that we find the Sacred Record informing us, that Abraham had received some good news -- when it came to his sister-in-law Milcah. Know that Milcah, was married to Abraham's brother Nahor. And together, they had two sons between them: "Uz the firstborn, Buz his brother, Kemuel (the father of Aram), Kesed, Hazo, Pildash, Jidlaph and Bethuel." -- (Genesis 22:21) Understand, that this little bit of genealogy information, is revealed by the Sacred Record -- simply for the sake of: Rebekah, Rachel and Leah. For you must know, that these three women, would play pivotal roles -- when it comes to the future generations of Abraham, and the nation of Israel overall. Now I also want to point out, that Bethuel, the fifth son born unto Nahor and Milcah -- would also have children born unto him one day, and out of those children, he would have a daughter that was named Rebekah. Now remember, that Rebekah would eventually become the wife of Abraham's son Isaac. Also know, that Bethuel would have a son born unto him, and he named him Laban. Now when it comes to Laban, know that he would have two daughters born unto him, in which he named them -- Rachel and Leah. Now remember, that Rachel and Leah -- would eventually become the future wives, of Isaac's son Jacob, who was also known as Israel. However, sometime will pass, and people will come and go -- for we must understand, that the Holy Scriptures, have just set Abraham's seed foundation in motion -- for the next couple of generations. But in the meantime, we're also told about the passing of Abraham's wife Sarah. For we find, that she passes away, at the age of 127. Also know that Sarah died, in the land of Canaan, at a place that was known as Kirjath-arba, or, The City of Arba -- which was named after a great man... that had lived, and ruled, in that part of the region. However, we now find, that Abraham had went over to the tent that Sarah had laid peacefully in, and it's at that moment, he mourned and wept over her. Needless-to-say, Abraham loved her with all his heart. Shortly after, Abraham rose from Sarah's bedside, and went out to speak to the Hittites -- which were the descendant's of Canaan's son Heth: "I am an alien and a stranger among you. Sell me some property for a burial site here so I can bury my dead." But after hearing this, the Hittites would reply back: "Sir, listen to us. You are a mighty prince among us. Bury your dead in the choicest of our tombs. None of us will refuse you his tomb for burying your dead." -- Genesis 23:6 Next we find Abraham rising and bowing before the Hittites, and it's at this time, he said to them: "If you are willing to let me bury my dead, then listen to me and intercede with Ephron son of Zohar on my behalf so he will sell me the cave of Machpelah, which belongs to him and is at the end of his field. Ask him to sell it to me for the full price as a burial site among you." -- Genesis 23:8,9 But Ephron, who was either a chief, or ruler from within the land -- was sitting among his people. And after hearing what Abraham had to say, he replied back to Abraham in such a way -- so that all the Hittites could hear, that stood by the gate of his city: "No, my lord! Listen to me; I give you the field, and I give you the cave that is in it. I give it to you in the presence of my people. Go and bury your dead." -- Genesis 23:11 So once again -- Abraham bowed down before the Hittites, and he replied back to Ephron, in such a way -- to where all could hear: "Listen to me, if you will. I will pay the price of the field. Accept it from me so I can bury my dead there." But Ephron would reply back to the great patriarch, by saying: "Listen to me, my lord; the land is worth four hundred shekels of sliver, but what is that between me and you? Go and bury your dead." -- Genesis 23:15 Finally, Abraham would agree to Ephron's terms, and then we find that Abraham weighed out for Ephron, the price he'd named at the hearing of the Hittites -- four-hundred shekels of sliver, according to the weight current among the merchants. And because of this deal -- Abraham had legally purchased the field that had belonged to Ephron, which was located in Machpelah, near Mamre. Now understand, that this meant -- that Abraham now owned both the field, and the cave that was in land, along with all the trees -- that had grew from within the borders of the field. Know that all of this was deeded to him, as his property, in the presence of all the Hittites -- that were standing by the gate of the city. So later on, Abraham would go and bury his wife Sarah, in the cave that was located from within the field of Machpelah -- that was located near Mamre, which was located in the land of Canaan. Also know that this would also be the place, that Abraham would be buried at, when the good Lord finally calls him home, right next to his beloved wife Sarah. And as of today, "The Cave of Machpelah" which is also known, as the "The Tomb of the Patriarchs" -- and is considered by the Jews, the second most holiest place, right after the "Temple Mount." Know that this place, is the burial site, for not only Abraham and Sarah -- but it also houses the resting places, of Issac and Rebecca, and of Jacob and Leah. Also know that there are three, above ground monuments, that are dedicated solely to: Abraham and Sarah - Issac and Rebecca and Jacob and Leah, that are located from within "The Tomb of the Patriarchs." Now personally -- I find it simply amazing, to this very day, that this building is still standing completely intact. For we must keep in mind, that this building has been standing for thousands of years. What's even more impressive, is that the building, is still fully functional. For it's still being used, for its intended purpose, to this very day. Now that we have journeyed through the passing of Abraham's wife Sarah. And after she'd passed, how Abraham had sought out a official burial place for her. We now begin to move forward, from within our journey. And it's at this time -- we find that Abraham is becoming increasingly concern, with Isaac being able to find a wife, at some point within the near future. I wonder, who will Abraham turn to in his time of need? Will it be the Lord, or perhaps, somebody else? The Sons of God - The Daughters of Men **YOUR CURRENT - BIBLE STUDY ONLINE SERIES - WOULD BE HERE** Jacob - The Path of Uncertainty 16) Abimelech Angry with Abraham 18) Hagar & Ishmael - Sent Away Added to Page 19) Hagar the Mother of a Great Nation 20) Abraham & The Well of Oath 21) Abraham & The Great Sacrifice 22) <-CURRENT - BIBLE STUDY ONLINE - PAGE-> 25) Rebekah gets Permission to Leave 28) The Twelve Rulers of Ishmael 
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