Abraham's Obituary (Gen. 25:7-8)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 10-30-2006

 

My Worship Time                                                                  Focus:  Abraham’s Obituary

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                     Reference:  Genesis 25:7-8

 

            Message of the verse:  “7 These are all the years of Abraham’s life that he lived, one hundred and seventy-five years.  8 Abraham breathed his last and died in a ripe old age, an old man and satisfied with life; and he was gathered to his people.”

           

            When I look back at the study of Abraham it seems to me that the phrase “The victorious Christian life is a series of new beginnings” seems to sum up this great man of faith lived, for his life was not perfect, but when he did fail he confessed that failure to the Lord and then began again to live for the Lord.  These two verses are a rather short obituary for such a great man, yet they fulfilled the promises that God had given to him in earlier chapter, that is that he would live a long life, Genesis 15:15, “As for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you will be buried at a good old age.”

           

            Verse eight says that Abraham was a man who was satisfied with life, and that means to me that he had contentment, which is something that he had to learn in order to have it for you just don’t get contentment you have to learn it.  Philippians 4:12 gives this receipt, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”  

           

            The phrase “gathered to his people” is used here for the first time in the Bible, and it means that Abraham was gathered to those who went before him who were believers, but it is true for those who are not believers too, for they will be gathered to there people, which is a place of torment, and will eventually be HELL.

           

            Dr. Wiersbe points out something in his commentary on this section that I would like to quote, “Abraham, who was flourishing and fruitful to the very end, fulfilled the picture of old age given in Psalm 92:12-15.  How few people really experience joy and satisfaction when they reach old age!  When they look back, it is with regret, when they look ahead it is with fear, and when they look around, it is with complaint.”  Psalm 92:12-15, “12 The righteous man will flourish like the palm tree, He will grow like a cedar in Lebanon.  13 Planted in the house of the LORD, They will flourish in the courts of our God.  14 They will still yield fruit in old age; They shall be full of sap and very green, 15 To declare that the LORD is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.”

           

            Living a good life when one is old has to be planned, and Solomon speaks of this in his writings in Ecclesiastes chapter 12.

 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  I am thinking about the meaning of how it takes planning to have a good life when I am old, and also I am thinking about learning to be content with my life, which is something that I have made an effort to learn this year, and hopefully will continue to learn for the rest of my life.  It was evident in Abraham’s life and also the lives of many people of faith that are described in the Scriptures as well as those of the faith in the past and in this present time, and it this is something that is worth while in learning, for it will bring honor and glory to the Lord.

 

The Word of God has been refreshing to my heart along with being a very big challenge to me as I read and studied the Bible this morning.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  Continue to be taught contentment by the Lord, and to continue to ask the Lord to direct my path each day so that I can do His will.