Abraham

Sometimes we read Scripture, and the connections are clear. It is evident how the text points us to Christ and what it means for our lives. But then, sometimes, we encounter passages like Genesis 23. The chapter opens with the death of Sarah, and amidst his grief, Abraham faces a problem: he is a sojourner in the land. He doesn’t own any property on which to bury his wife. So, he reaches out to the Hittites, who are willing to help. He asks them to speak to a man named Ephron on his behalf because Ephron owns a cave Abraham wants to buy.

Ephron happens to be present, and negotiations begin. Ephron offers Abraham the cave, but Abraham insists that he name a price—which Ephron does in a roundabout way. Abraham pays him 400 shekels of silver, and the cave becomes his.

Now, maybe you’re like me, wondering: what do Hittite business practices have to do with us? And why does Abraham insist on paying for the cave? Take another look at what happens next. In verses 17–20, we read:

“So the field of Ephron in Machpelah, which was to the east of Mamre, the field with the cave that was in it and all the trees that were in the field, throughout its whole area, was made over to Abraham as a possession… After this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave… in the land of Canaan. The field and the cave that is in it were made over to Abraham as property…”

Remember how the chapter began: Abraham was a sojourner in the land. God had promised to give it to him and his offspring, yet after more than 40 years in the land, he did not own so much as a blade of grass. Now, he owns a field and a cave where he buries his beloved wife—in the very land God swore to give him and his descendants.

Abraham insisted on purchasing the field because he trusted in God’s promises. That is the heart of Abraham’s story. God made him great promises, and Abraham believed Him (Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:16–21; Hebrews 11:8–10). By purchasing the land, Abraham acted on his faith that God would do what He said—his descendants would inhabit the land.

The Son of Man and a Better Possession

Abraham’s descendants did take possession of the land, but due to their sin, they were unable to keep it. For God’s promise to be fulfilled, a faithful offspring was needed—one who would trust and obey God perfectly.

This faithful offspring is pointed to in Daniel 7. Here we read about the Ancient of Days—God the Father—taking dominion away from wicked beasts (nations that rage against Him, as seen in Psalm 2). He then takes this dominion and gives it to the Son of Man. We read about this in V. 13-14 where it says that the Son of Man receives “dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.” Jesus is identified as this Son of Man throughout the gospel. In fact, he refers to Himself using this title numerous times. His claims are vindicated in His resurrection, after which He declares, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matthew 28:18).

What, then, does Christ receive? It is far more than the promised land. Christ takes possession of the whole earth. It all belongs to Him! Under His rule, the earth experiences renewal. While this renewal is not yet fully realized—creation still groans (Romans 8:18)—it has begun through His resurrection. Sinners are being delivered from their sins. He is purifying His people, renewing them by the Spirit, and transforming them into His likeness.

And in the end he will share with us all that he has won. Look at Daniel 7:27:

“And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High; his kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.”

Christ, the victorious King, graciously shares His reward with us. Paul writes in Ephesians 1:11, “In Him we have obtained an inheritance,” and he explains that the Holy Spirit is “the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it” (v. 14). All things belong to Christ (Hebrews 1:2), and He graciously shares them with us (Romans 8:32).

God has declared, “Behold, I am making all things new” (Revelation 21:5). This present world, claimed by Christ, will pass away, and He will usher in a new creation—the land He shares with us—where we will dwell with God forever.

Our True Home

Christian, this present world is not your home. What awaits us is more glorious than anything we can imagine. In that land, there will be no more death, sorrow, or tears. No wickedness will afflict us, either from within or without. We will behold God face to face, and our joy will be full. Psalm 16:11 reminds us, “In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” These eternal pleasures await us in our true homeland, secured for us by Christ, who died to fulfill all of God’s promises.

Hope in these promises changes everything for Jesus’ disciples. This hope compels men and women to forsake comfort and risk their lives to take the gospel to the perishing. It leads Jesus’ followers to deny themselves both sinful pleasures and things that, while permissible, are harmful to their spiritual health. It inspires perseverance through trials, the bold confession of sin, and the courage to live with generosity, gentleness, honesty, and faithfulness. This hope gives courage and trust in God’s goodness, even when life feels chaotic or painful.

Christ is our treasure and the one who secures eternal dwellings for us. Let us cling to Him as we eagerly await the day we take possession of the home He has won for us.