“Hayyei Sarah,” (Genesis 23:1-25:18), “The Life of Sarah,” begins with a striking contrast by opening with her death at 127 years old. From that moment, three important narratives unfold. First, Abraham secures a burial place for Sarah in the cave of Machpelah, making it the first piece of the Promised Land actually owned by the covenant people. Second, Abraham sends his servant to find a wife for Isaac, ensuring the covenant line continues. Third, we see the closing chapter of Abraham’s own life as he is later buried beside Sarah. The cave he purchased, east of Hebron, remains contested to this day, underscoring how the promises of God are often challenged by those opposed to Israel’s covenant identity.
God’s covenant with Abraham rests on two repeated promises: land and descendants. The land would belong to Abraham’s offspring as an everlasting possession, and his descendants would become countless, like stars in the sky and sand on the seashore. Yet the fulfillment began in small steps. Abraham held only a single field with a cave, and Isaac was the lone covenant heir. Even so, Abraham acted with determination. Securing Machpelah required persistent negotiation with the Hittites. Sending his servant to find Isaac’s wife required faith and direction. Eliezer prayed, and before he finished, Rebecca appeared in a remarkable answer. But even then, her family hesitated, bargaining over her release. In every instance, the promises of God advanced through faith joined with action.
Torah recounts these stories not simply because they occurred, but because they teach what we need to walk out today. God made promises, but Abraham still had to move his feet. He pursued what God declared, even when obstacles stood in the way. Eliezer did the same. They acted, trusted, negotiated, prayed, and pressed on. Faith is not passive; it shows itself in courage and persistence. That pattern has carried through history. The covenant cut in Genesis 15 is still unfolding. Abraham’s descendants truly have multiplied across the world, and Israel exists in the land promised long ago. The nation faces continual pressure and hostility, yet the covenant stands firm. Scripture makes clear that the ultimate fulfillment waits for the Messiah, the greater Seed of Abraham, who will complete what began in those early chapters.
The story of Isaac and Rebecca beautifully points forward to that future. Ancient Jewish wedding customs mirror the gospel: the groom leaves his father’s house, travels to the bride’s home, “purchases” her with a price, and enters a covenant sealed with wine. Then he returns to his father’s house to prepare a dwelling place for her. Jesus does the same, purchasing His people with His blood, sealing them in covenant, and preparing a place for them. The Spirit draws the bride to the groom just as Eliezer led Rebecca to Isaac. This culminates in Revelation’s vision of the New Jerusalem descending from heaven, like a bride beautifully adorned. Be encouraged that God loves you with a passionate love, like a husband for his wife, and thus, as is written in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, “And so shall we ever be with the Lord.”
