Genesis 23, Matthew 23

DateVersionReading Plan
January 23, 2025ESV (2016)OT/NT Plan 2025 – 2027

Genesis 23

The chapter opens with Sarah’s death at 127 years. She died at Kiriath-arba (Hebron), the land of Canaan, and Abraham went to mourn and weep for her. Abraham spoke to the Hittites, referring to himself as a foreigner among them and requested a burying place to bury his dead out of his sight. The response of the Hittites was gracious, calling Abraham a “prince of God” and offering him the choicest of tombs to bury his dead. Abraham asked that he be given the cave at Machpelah that belonged to Ephron. Ephron was sitting among the Hittites and told Abraham that he would give not only give him the cave but the field as well.

Abraham and Ephron then engage in discussion as to the terms of the purchase. The price of 400 shekels was agreed upon by both and Abraham weighed out the silver accordingly. Abraham was given possession of the cave and all the trees that were in the field. Abraham buried Sarah in the cave of the field of Machpelah east of Mamre in the land of Canaan.

Key Takeaways and Application

The kindness demonstrated of both Ephron and Abraham in the exchange over the burial place is particularly noteworthy. It seems crucial to observe how Abraham set the tone with humility, bowing himself to the Hittites and acknowledging his visitor status among them. Ephron then answered in kind, generously offering to give Abraham both the cave and the field in which it was contained. This instance shows us the fruitfulness of Godly humility, modeling Christ-likeness in how we conduct ourselves during transactions of goods, services and payments.

Matthew 23

Jesus harshly calls out the blindness and hypocrisy of the Pharisees in an address to the crowds and His disciples. The people were to obey everything the Pharisees told them but not to practice what they did because the Pharisees did not practice what they preached. Jesus declared woe to the teachers of the law seven times for:

  1. Shutting the kingdom of heaven
  2. Traveling across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, making him twice as much a child of hell as themselves
  3. Saying that swearing by the temple is nothing but swearing by the gold of the temple is binding
  4. Tithing mint, dill and cumin but neglecting the weightier matters of law, justice and mercy
  5. Cleaning the outside of the cup and plate but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence
  6. Being as whitewashed tombs; beautiful on the outside but within are full of dead peoples’ bones and uncleanness
  7. Building the tombs of the prophets and decorating the monuments of the righteous

Jesus promised to send the Pharisees wise men and teachers, some of whom they would kill and crucify; others they would flog in their synagogues and pursue from town to town. Jesus declared upon the Pharisees that they would come upon the righteous blood that had been shed on earth, referencing specifically the blood of Abel and the blood of Zechariah, son of Berekiah, whom they murdered between the temple and the altar.

Jesus then spoke a lament over Jerusalem, that He had longed to gather those who kill the prophets as a hen gathers her chicks, but they were unwilling. He spoke of how house was left to them desolate and ends by saying that they would not see Him again until they say, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”

Key Takeaways and Application

The hypocrisy of the Pharisees hit me with weighty conviction today. How often I am selfish and operating in the same manner of blindness and disproportionate focus, whose speech and practice are completely out of alignment. Lord, give me eyes to see my own sin and guide me not only to speak but to act in accordance with your Word. Show me what of myself I need to put to death in order that my life would bring your glory.

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