In this chapter, we read about the death of Sarah and Abraham mourning his loss. Sarah died at 127 years old and she is the only woman in the Scriptures who has her age of death recorded. There’s no doubt that Sarah was a godly woman, Isaiah 51:1-2 / 1 Peter 3:3-6 and a very important woman from which we can learn much.
Abraham went to Hebron with the purpose to mourn for her, their relationship had come to an end, 1 Thessalonians 4:13. Abraham wasn’t afraid to mourn because he mourned with hope. Death is a reminder that sin is in the world and that’s another reason why we mourn.
The Hittites play an important role in key places in the Scriptures. As we have just read it was Ephron the Hittite sells Abraham the family burial ground. Esau married Hittite women, and Rebecca despised them, Genesis 26:34, frequently they are listed as one of the inhabitants of Canaan, Exodus 13:5 / Numbers 13:29 / Joshua 11:3.
King David had Uriah the Hittite killed in order to acquire Uriah’s wife, 2 Samuel 11. King Solomon had Hittites among his many wives, 1 Kings 10:29-11:2 / 2 Chronicles 1:17, and the prophet Ezekiel degrades Israel with the metaphor of a Hittite mother, Ezekiel 16:3 / Ezekiel 16:45.
The reputation of Abraham among the Hittites was notable as they offered Abraham to bury Sarah wherever he chose, free of charge. Abraham, though grateful, isn’t willing to take up the offer as his respect for Sarah was too great.
The earth to Abraham was just a temporary place and so there was a negotiation for land. Abraham was bargaining for the land which was the way business was done in those days. He purchased the burial site and so only took possession of the only part of the Promised Land he would have in his lifetime.
Through the mediation of the Hittites, a cave was purchased from Ephron, the son of Zohar, for what seemed to be a rather large amount of money.
Abraham buys the land to bury Sarah although he already had the land as given by God in the promise. Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah and Joseph were all buried there.
Yes, Sarah had her weaknesses as we all do and at times, she doubted God. She had trouble believing God would fulfil his promises, so she went ahead to solve the problem herself.
Sarah also had her strengths, there’s no doubt that Sarah was loyal to Abraham which resulted in her sharing in his blessings. She became the mother of the nation of Israel. Yes, she struggled in her faith, but her faith can’t go unnoticed as she is the first woman mentioned in Hebrews 11:11.
She is the only woman in the Scriptures whose name was changed, from Sarai to Sarah, Genesis 15:17-22. Sarah’s obedience to her husband Abraham is a prime example of a Christian woman. Even when Abraham passed her off as his sister, which landed her in Pharaoh’s harem, she didn’t object.
Sarah was protective of Isaac and loved him deeply and the Scriptures tell us that she was exceedingly beautiful in appearance, Genesis 12:11 / Genesis 12:14 but her real beauty was seen on the inside, 1 Peter 3:3-6.
"For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city."