Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
Genesis Ch.23 / 50 Ch.s
GE:23
* The death of Sarah, Abraham applies for a burying-place.
(1-13) Sarah's burying-place. (14-20)
#1-13 The longest life must shortly come to a close. Blessed be
God that there is a world where sin, death, vanity, and vexation
cannot enter. Blessed be his name, that even death cannot part
believers from union with Christ. Those whom we most love, yea,
even our own bodies, which we so care for, must soon become
loathsome lumps of clays, and be buried out of sight. How loose
then should we be to all earthly attachments and adornments! Let
us seek rather that our souls be adorned with heavenly graces.
Abraham rendered honour and respect to the princes of Heth,
although of the ungodly Canaanites. The religion of the Bible
enjoins to pay due respect to all in authority, without
flattering their persons, or countenancing their crimes if they
are unworthy characters. And the noble generosity of these
Canaanites shames and condemns the closeness, selfishness, and
ill-humour of many that call themselves Israelites. It was not
in pride that Abraham refused the gift, because he scorned to be
beholden to Ephron; but in justice and in prudence. Abraham was
able to pay for the field, and therefore would not take
advantage of Ephron's generosity. Honesty, as well as honour,
forbids us to take advantage of our neighbour's liberality, and
to impose, upon those who give freely.
#14-20 Prudence, as well as justice, directs us to be fair and
open in our dealings; cheating bargains will not bear the light.
Abraham, without fraud or delay, pays the money. He pays it at
once in full, without keeping any part back; and by weight,
current money with the merchant, without deceit. See how
anciently money was used for the help of trade, and how honestly
it should be paid when it is due. Though all the land of Canaan
was Abraham by promise, yet the time of his possessing it not
being come, what he had occasion for he bought and paid for.
Dominion is not founded in grace. The saints' title to an
eternal inheritance does not entitle them to the possessions of
this world, nor justify them in doing wrong. Ephron honestly and
fairly makes a good title to the land. As that which is bought,
must be honestly paid for, so that which is sold, must be
honestly delivered and secured. Let us manage our concerns with
punctuality and exactness, in order to avoid contention. Abraham
buried Sarah in cave. or vault, which was in the purchased
field. It would tend to endear the land to his posterity. And it
is worth noting, that a burying-place was the only piece of the
land which Abraham possessed in Canaan. Those who have least of
this earth, find a grave in it. This sepulchre was at the end of
the field; whatever our possessions are, there is a burial-place
at the end of them. It was a token of his belief and expectation
of the resurrection. Abraham is contented to be still a pilgrim
while he lives, but secures a place where, when he dies, his
flesh may rest in hope. After all, the chief concern is, with
whom we shall rise.