No Compromises

Genesis 23:16-18 -   Abraham agreed to Ephron’s terms and weighed out for him the price he had named in the hearing of the Hittites: four hundred shekels of silver,according to the weight current among the merchants.  So Ephron’s field in Machpelah near Mamre—both the field and the cave in it, and all the trees within the borders of the field—was deeded to Abraham as his property in the presence of all the Hittites who had come to the gate of the city. 

Sarah lived a full life of 127 years. Since she died in Hebron…a location in the land of Canaan...Abraham had no legal place to bury his wife.  So he went to the man who owned what he thought would be the perfect cave to bury her in…and bought it for 400 pieces of silver. The people of the land respected him so much that Ephron wanted to just give it to him…but Abraham insisted that it be paid for proper.

I admit that I had no thoughts what this might be saying to me until I read the Matthew Henry Commentary I keep with my Bible. He had two thoughts that I had not really considered.  First…Abraham did not want to be ‘beholden’ to the pagans that he purchased the land from. He also spoke of how Abraham might have been thinking of God’s promise to give him the land….all of it…at some point.

Abraham had already experienced the timing of God.  He had no clue what master plan God was welding to deed this entire land over to him and his son…so he was content for now to own just a portion of it to place his beloved wife. He did not ask for more than his current needs required…just enough to reverently give his wife a place to rest till they saw the glory of God together someday.

The second of Henry’s thoughts really spoke to me.  The land of Canaan was filled with a pagan nation who did not worship God.  Some believed in him…but none trusted him fully like Abraham and his family. If Abraham had taken the land as gift…it might have signaled his willingness to compromise his faith with these people.

What a great reminder to stand strong in this world where believers and people who practice so many other religions and faiths must share the land. God did not promise to unify us all until he returns to claim his earthly throne. It is up to us to speak clear messages like Abraham when we have to make tough decisions in life. We can compromise and open the door to a weaker faith…or keep pure…and let God strengthen the portion we already have. 

Father…thank you for the reminder that some decisions should be made with no compromise.  Forgive me for the times that I have let the situation I am in speak compromise to my heart.  Help me to stand strong and speak only the truth that you have given us in your Bible. Amen.