Last 5 Days
Death and Descendants
1 Abraham took another wife, whose name was Keturah. 2 She bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. 3 Jokshan fathered Sheba and Dedan. The sons of Dedan were Asshurim, Letushim, and Leummim. 4 The sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah. 5 Abraham gave all he had to Isaac. 6 But to the sons of his concubines Abraham gave gifts, and while he was still living he sent them away from his son Isaac, eastward to the east country.
7 These are the days of the years of Abraham's life, 175 years. 8 Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people. 9 Isaac and Ishmael his sons buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, east of Mamre, 10 the field that Abraham purchased from the Hittites. There Abraham was buried, with Sarah his wife. 11 After the death of Abraham, God blessed Isaac his son. And Isaac settled at Beer-lahai-roi.
12 These are the generations of Ishmael, Abraham's son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah's servant, bore to Abraham. 13 These are the names of the sons of Ishmael, named in the order of their birth: Nebaioth, the firstborn of Ishmael; and Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, 14 Mishma, Dumah, Massa, 15 Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. 16 These are the sons of Ishmael and these are their names, by their villages and by their encampments, twelve princes according to their tribes. 17 These are the years of the life of Ishmael: 137 years. He breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people. 18 They settled from Havilah to Shur, which is opposite Egypt in the direction of Assyria. He settled over against all his kinsmen.
Death brings mixed feelings to us. For some, it is a taboo thing to talk about. When death happens in a family, the home should be kept in a mood of silence, solace and solemnity. Verses 8 and 17 of this chapter tell us about Abraham and Ishmael’s deaths. This passage also tells us about the many descendants that Abraham had, including those of another wife (concubine), Keturah, who bore him 6 sons. (v. 2)
The Bible’s commentary states that Abraham lived his life full of years, in a good old age and was an old man when he died at 175 years of age. He was buried with dignity by his sons Isaac and Ishmael. (vv. 8,9) Besides Abraham, this passage also records the death of one of his sons, Ishmael who lived for 137 years and died. “He breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people.” (v. 17)
We are reminded of the transient nature of life here on earth, and at an old age, both of them had to leave behind everything to go and meet their Creator God. Even as the older generations died, the descendants continued to live on earth, and settled in their own cities, towns and villages.
The seven verses (12-18) give us the most detailed description of Ishmael and his 12 sons who were the 12 princes (v. 16) and later became the 12 modern Bedouin tribes – also referred to as Arabs. A description is repeated in the chronology of the Chronicles in 1 Chronicles 1:29-30. Ishmael’s descendants are described as those who settled from Havilah to Shur, which is opposite Egypt in the direction of Assyria. This is important for the fulfilment of God’s promise to Hagar that He would bless and multiply her son Ishmael with many descendants. (Gen. 16:10-12)
When we read the two words, “death” and “descendants,” we thank God that the death of one of Abraham’s descendants changed the whole mood and atmosphere about the fact of human frailty and fatality. Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, Abraham’s descendant, had conquered death and broken its sting (1 Cor. 15: 55). And his death on the cross is enshrined and celebrated in the sacraments of the Christian church and observed regularly in the Christian Worship service - Death is mentioned in both the Believer’s Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
This Christmas, when our church celebrates the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, we are also celebrating his death through the baptism of some of our brothers and sisters in Christ and partaking the Lord’s Supper together. Let us regularly dwell on the meaning and implications of the death of Jesus, the Promised seed and descendant of Abraham. Furthermore, Paul said that in Christ we became the spiritual children of Abraham (Gal. 3:7) and are given the right to receive God’s promised blessings to Abraham.
Dear God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, I thank you for Abraham that through him came the Saviour of the world, our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you that in your great love, you have not forsaken us while we were like sheep who had gone astray from you. You had sought us out and provided the Way for us to return to you, and through faith receive the blessings you promised to Abraham. We look forward to the day when we are transported from this earthly dwelling into your Kingdom in heaven. Until then, please help us live holy lives that are worthy of your name. Amen!
