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Scripture reveals the times when Abraham was lacking in faith, but it also shows us when his faith was strongest. We think of Abraham, by faith, leaving his homeland and traveling to a place he did not know. We think of Abraham, by faith, going up to offer his son as a sacrifice. Yet, there is another story that may be less well-known. While many other events in Abraham’s life are big and flashy, in Genesis 22:20-23:20, we see how Abraham demonstrates his faith in God by simple means in ordinary life. 

In contrast to his brother Nahor, Abraham does not have a booming family (22:20-24). He does have Isaac as the son of promise, but his family tree is certainly not like the stars in the sky or dust on the earth. On top of this, Abraham’s wife Sarah dies (23:2). What does Abraham do now? It would be normal to go back to his homeland and bury her, but is that what he does? 

Abraham properly grieves for the loss of his wife (23:2), but he does not stay before her body forever. Abraham rises and goes to the Hittites (23:3). He asks to purchase property so that he can bury his wife (23:4). While the Hittites would allow Abraham to simply take any place he wants, Abraham ensures that he legally, officially, and publicly makes a purchase and receives a property (23:5-18). 

What do all these things mean? Rather than being a story about Abraham’s burial practices, or cunning in business, this account of Abraham’s life demonstrates the faith that he has in his God. Instead of going back to his homeland to bury Sarah, he seeks to secure property in the land of Canaan. Abraham believes in the promise of God, that God would give this land to him and his descendants. He stays in the promised land, even after death, being buried with his family in the cave of Machpelah.

Abraham considered himself a sojourner (23:4). Like Abraham, we ourselves are sojourners and exiles (1 Pet 2:11). Abraham knew that he was a stranger and exile on earth, and he put his hope in a heavenly dwelling (Heb 11:13-16). 

The stuff of life is not just stuff. Every moment we are living in our present circumstances. The difference between living with an earthly view and living with a heavenly view is the life of faith we live by hope. Abraham, while not being perfect, made choices in his everyday life by faith. He had real hope in the promises of God. 

Is your focus on the better country? Do you live every day by faith? All of our decisions reveal which country we have in sight. A view focused on this earthly dwelling would have us working so many hours to make so much money. It would have us living for all the pleasure we can get while we have the opportunity. It would consider gathering together as a local body as a waste of time. It would emphasize looking good on the outside. It would make worldliness fashionable. It would prioritize the wrong things. 

What fruit would a view of the heavenly country produce? The person who walks by faith every day would be submitted to God and His Word, believing in His promises. The person who walks by faith would read Scripture, pray continually, encourage their brothers and sisters in Christ, be a faithful church member, deny the flesh, walk by the Spirit, and hold onto hope every day. 

Abraham, by faith, buried his wife in a cave in the land of Canaan. Abraham had faith in God’s word. We also can demonstrate this same faith. God has revealed His Son as the savior, whom we must trust. Holding onto the salvation that God has promised through Christ, believers can make every decision by faith rather than sight. As we sojourn in this life together, as believers in Jesus Christ, let us encourage one another to be intentional with the stuff of life. Let us make every choice by faith.