Download to read offline
Uploaded byEd Sullivan
final arrangements
Abraham made final arrangements for Sarah's burial, purchasing a field and cave from the local Hittites to bury her remains. The transaction involved weighing out 400 shekels of silver to complete the deal. After Sarah's burial in the cave, it became the family burial plot, where Abraham and his descendants were later buried as well. The document discusses Abraham and Sarah's lives according to the biblical account and makes comparisons to preparing for one's own death.
More Related Content
Similar to final arrangements
More from Ed Sullivan
final arrangements
- 1.
- 2. Here’s a thought Preciousin the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. Psalm 116:15 2
- 3.
- 4. The normal progression Sarahlived 127 years; these were the years of the life of Sarah. And Sarah died at Hebron in the land of Canaan, and Abraham went in to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her. Genesis 23:1–2 4
- 5. Grief 1. Denial 2. Anger 3.Bargaining 4. Depression 5. Acceptance 5
- 6. Local Abraham rose andbowed to the Hittites, the people of the land. And he said to them, “If you are willing that I should bury my dead out of my sight, hear me and entreat for me Ephron the Genesis 23:7–9 6
- 7. Local son of Zohar,that he may give me the cave of Machpelah, which he owns; it is at the end of his field. For the full price let him give it to me in your presence as property for a burying place.” Genesis 23:7–9 7
- 8. Abraham had donesome thinking He knew of a cave (not unusual for burying) He had not got around to buying it. Money in hand Gone to the area elders 8
- 9. The Purchase And hesaid to Ephron in the hearing of the people of the land, “But if you will, hear me: I give the price of the field. Accept it from me, that I may bury my dead there.” Ephron answered Abraham, “My lord, listen to me: a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of Genesis 23:13–16 9
- 10. The Purchase silver, whatis that between you and me? Bury your dead.” Abraham listened to Ephron, and Abraham weighed out for Ephron the silver that he had named in the hearing of the Hittites, four hundred shekels of silver, according to the weights current among the merchants. Genesis 23:13–16 10
- 11. Sealed the Deal Standardprice by weight not coinage Gives a glimpse into transactions of the time God gave him no inheritance of land Becomes an ancestral burying plot 11
- 12. Finished the funeral Afterthis, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah east of Mamre in the land of Canaan. The field and the cave that is in it were made over to Abraham as property for a burying place by the Hittites. Genesis 23:19–20 12
- 13. Found a wifefor Isaac Married another wife Fathered six children 13 Next Couple of Years
- 14. He knew theend was near Abraham gave all he had to Isaac. But to the sons of his concubines Abraham gave gifts, and while he was still living he sent them away from his son Isaac, eastward to the east country. Genesis 25:5–6 14
- 15. Un-Scramble the Egg Isaacdesignated the heir Non-Covent children dispersed Avoiding claims of inheritance 15
- 16. Abraham’s passes These arethe days of the years of Abraham’s life, 175 years. Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people. Genesis 25:7–8 16
- 17. Sons Isaac and Ishmaelhis sons buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, east of Mamre, the field that Abraham purchased from the Hittites. There Abraham was buried, with Sarah his wife. Genesis 25:9–10 17
- 18. Isaac and Ishmael Abraham’schosen site The wife of promise 18 Reconciliation
- 19. Jesus Christ A modelin dying 19
- 20. Dying and death Hebrews2:9 (ESV) 9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. Hebrews 2:14 (ESV) 14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, Hebrews 2:15 (ESV) 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. 20
- 21. Grief in theGarden Luke 22:44 And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 21
- 22. Follow His Example Inthe days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Hebrews 5:7 22
- 23. Legal Woes Pilate andHerod ping pong Sentence of death Scourging torture Lead to Calvary- physical exhaustion 23
- 24. The Crucifixion Nails throughhis hands and feet Hoisted and dropped into place 24
- 25. Death is anappointment And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, Hebrews 9:27 25
- 26. Scheduled to seeJesus For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body… 2 Corinthians 5:10a 26
- 27. He will receiveus Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Matthew 25:34 27
- 28. Ultimate act ofmercy He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. Revelation 21:4 28
- 29. Psalm 23 (KJV) The23rd Psalm The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 29
- 30. Psalm 23 (KJV) The23rd Psalm I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: And I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. 30
- 31.
- 32. Examine my personallife Cast Off Habits Settle Debts Repair Estrangements Scatter Sunshine 32
- 33. Examine my Christianlife Prayer life Cause of Christ Be Obedient Live for God 33
- 34. Ask yourself What wouldI do if I had three months to live? 34
- 35. We will allexit this world 1. Plan Ahead 2. Grieve Well 3. Live Now 4. Live Forever 35
- 36.
Editor's Notes
- #2 Genesis 21 & 23
- #3 Psalm 116:15 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.
- #4 Grandpa’s simple-minded friend 10 out of 10 people will not survive this life
- #5 Genesis 23:1–2 Sarah lived 127 years; these were the years of the life of Sarah. And Sarah died at Hebron in the land of Canaan, and Abraham went in to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her.
- #6 Denial- a coping mechanism Anger- Masking hides emotions Bargaining- make a deal with God or if only I had done x, y or z Depression- the quiet stage of grief. More than sad, overwhelming emotion. What am I going to do without them? Acceptance- accepted it and come to an understanding of what it means to your life now. Abraham now must find a burial place for his wife.
- #7 Genesis 23:7–9 Abraham rose and bowed to the Hittites, the people of the land. And he said to them, “If you are willing that I should bury my dead out of my sight, hear me and entreat for me Ephron the
- #8 son of Zohar, that he may give me the cave of Machpelah, which he owns; it is at the end of his field. For the full price let him give it to me in your presence as property for a burying place.”
- #9 He knew of a cave (not unusual for burying) He had not got around to buying it. Money in hand Gone to the area elders
- #10 Genesis 23:13–16 And he said to Ephron in the hearing of the people of the land, “But if you will, hear me: I give the price of the field. Accept it from me, that I may bury my dead there.” Ephron answered Abraham, “My lord, listen to me: a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of
- #11 silver, what is that between you and me? Bury your dead.” Abraham listened to Ephron, and Abraham weighed out for Ephron the silver that he had named in the hearing of the Hittites, four hundred shekels of silver, according to the weights current among the merchants.
- #12 Standard price Gives a glimpse into transactions of the time God gave him no inheritance of land Becomes an ancestral burying plot
- #13 Genesis 23:19–20 After this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah east of Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan. The field and the cave that is in it were made over to Abraham as property for a burying place by the Hittites.
- #14 It was around 38 years. Found a wife for Isaac about 40 (Isaac mourned 3 years for his mother) Married another wife Fathered six children
- #15 Genesis 25:5–6 Abraham gave all he had to Isaac. But to the sons of his concubines Abraham gave gifts, and while he was still living he sent them away from his son Isaac, eastward to the east country.
- #16 Isaac designated the heir Non-Covent children dispersed east to Arabia (Names found on rock inscriptions) Avoiding claims of inheritance Take care of business while you can!
- #17 Genesis 25:7–8 These are the days of the years of Abraham’s life, 175 years. Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people.
- #18 Genesis 25:9–10 Isaac and Ishmael his sons buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, east of Mamre, the field that Abraham purchased from the Hittites. There Abraham was buried, with Sarah his wife.
- #19 Isaac and Ishmael Abraham’s chosen site The wife of promise Should Jesus tarry we will all die. For the Christian death should not cause fear. But many of us are worried about the process of dying.
- #20 A model in dying
- #21 Hebrews 2:9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. Hebrews 2:14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, Hebrews 2:15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.
- #22 Luke 22:44 And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. Diagnosis of impending death- Endured psychological trauma
- #23 Hebrews 5:7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Betrayed and arrested- psychological trauma Religious leaders condemn him. Psychological and physical Denial by closest disciple
- #24 Pilate and Herod ping pong Sentence of death Scourging torture Lead to Calvary- physical exhaustion
- #25 Nails through his hands and feet Hoisted and dropped into place Excessive blood loss and dehydration would have sent Christ’s body into shock before the nails were hammered into His wrists and feet. Traumatic pain would have also led to “injury shock” in addition to “hypovolemic shock,” both of which are consequences of the sort of “traumatic event” Christ suffered. Shock itself would have added to His pain by causing “pericarditis” or “inflammation of the sac of the heart” which causes “stabbing pains in the chest.” The positioning of a person on the cross was devised to create the most discomfort possible, from the way one’s hands were raised to the side to the angle of knees and hips. One would have to continually push against the feet in order to breathe but doing so would send pain signals through every nerve. Shock was reducing His blood pressure, meaning oxygen was not getting to His organs and waste was not being removed. Christ would have had trouble breathing, but inhalation was not as difficult as exhalation. “Adequate exhalation required lifting the body by pushing up on the feet and by flexing the elbows and pulling the shoulders inward. In order to accomplish this feat, all of Christ’s weight would have been focused in His feet, causing “searing pain.” Not to mention the agony of His back rubbing against the rough wood as He struggled to exhale and inhale. A build-up of carbon dioxide from inadequate exhalation would have caused further cramping. 6 hours to die of cardiac rupture, asphyxiation, and shock.
- #26 Hebrews 9:27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,
- #27 2 Corinthians 5:10a For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body…
- #28 Matthew 25:34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
- #29 Revelation 21:4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
- #30 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
- #31 I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: And I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
- #32 Billy Graham wrote, "Dr. Lockyer was unquestionably one of the spiritual giants of our century, and his prolific writings will continue to make an impact on countless Christians for generations to come if our Lord tarries Died in 1984 at the age of 98 All the Miracles of the Bible (1961) All the Music of the Bible (1968) All the Parables of the Bible (1963) All the Prayers of the Bible (1959) All the Promises of the Bible (1962) All the Teachings of Jesus All the Trades and Occupations of the Bible (1969) All the Women of the Bible (1983 Bible-centered devotions on purity and hope (Seasons of the Lord ; v. 1) (Harper & Row, all vols. 1977) Bible-centered devotions on resurrection and glory (Seasons of the Lord ; v. 2) Bible-centered devotions on fulfillment and splendor (Seasons of the Lord ; v. 3) Bible-centered devotions on silence and remembrance The Holy Spirit of God (1981) How to Find Comfort in the Bible How To Make Prayer More Effective Death Dying and Destiny wrote what would I do if I knew I had three months to live?
- #33 I Would Think of Habits I Could Cast Off Habits that waste time and money; useless, without nobility; and harmful to the body, as well as dishonoring to the Lord, would be put in the place of death. I would make these three months the greatest period of sanctification I had ever experienced. I Would Think of the Debts I Should Settle It brings dishonor upon the cause of Christ when a Christian dies leaving behind debts, either to be canceled by creditors or paid by friends. Beloved, because we may die or vanish at any moment, let us strive to have our affairs in order, thus leaving behind a good testimony. I Would Think of the Estrangements I Should Repair Three months to live! Then let me seek out those who have wronged me or whom I have grieved, and I shall put things right. Have I brothers and sisters, relatives, or fellow Christians from whom I am severed as the result of some petty quarrel? Then, while my life lasts, let me exhibit the forgiving spirit of Calvary. I may die or rise to meet my Lord tomorrow. What then? Let me not delay to write the letter or speak the word that will heal the breach. I Would Think of the Sunshine I Could Scatter This man of forty years, with only three months to live, tells us that in this span, he means to extract more pleasure out of life by doing those things he can to help others. I would follow this example. I would examine my bankbook. After knowing that I had made the best provision for my loved ones—which, of course, is my first duty, according to Scripture: “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel” (1 Timothy 5:8)—I would think of all that I could do in three months to bring blessing to a few poor, needy souls. For if I had to see my Lord in such a time, it would please His heart to know that I had sought to change my spare gold into the current coin of loving thought and kindness.
- #34 I Would Make My Prayer Life More Prayerful and Holy Three months to live! Then let me live them in the presence of God, agonizing for the deepening of my own spiritual life and for the development of the Master’s image in all my days. Let me die to all self-pleasing, self-thought, and self-satisfaction, seeking a life radiant with the glory of my Lord. Let me live so close to heaven that a breath would waft me there. I Would Be Active, Virile, and Self-Sacrificing in His Cause Numbering my days, I would apply my heart unto heavenly wisdom, even unto the wisdom of winning souls. Loved ones are still unsaved; children, parents, relations, and friends are still outside the fold. My lips will soon be silent! The grave or my translation will close my testimony! Therefore, let me rescue the perishing and care for the dying by warning them, with tears, to seek the Lord while He may be found. I Would Be Obedient to His Every Command If the time of my departure is at hand, I would endeavor to fulfill every command the Savior enforces. He told me to eat the bread and drink the wine as an act of loving remembrance until He comes. Well, if He is coming for me by way of the grave or via the clouds, let me grasp every convenient opportunity of sitting at His table, thus remembering His dying love. He, the loving, sinless Lord, went down into Jordan’s waters and left me an example that I should follow His steps. Have I submitted myself to the waters of baptism as a symbol of identification with Him in death, burial, and resurrection? Then let me not forget the significance of such a holy rite. Have I not obeyed and followed my Lord thus? Then let me not hesitate to obey, as I do not want to meet the baptized Christ with disobedience upon my heart. Through His servant Paul, He commands me to be filled with the Spirit. Only three months to live! Then, well might I pray: “Oh Lord, may they be months of Pentecostal fullness, when out of me there shall flow rivers of living water!” I Would Seek to Live for God amid the Duties and Obligations of Life Our friend who received the physician’s ultimatum regarding the length of his sojourn here remarked, “I shall carry on with my work, just as I have done.” What a noble resolution! And such a courageous spirit must have enabled him to die well. Something of this same devotion is found in John Wesley’s life. A lady once asked him, “Supposing you knew that you were to die at twelve o’clock tomorrow night, how would you spend the intervening time?” “How, madam!” he replied. “Why, just as I intend to spend it now. I should preach this evening at Gloucester, and again at five tomorrow morning; after that, I should ride to Tewkesbury, preach in the afternoon, and meet the societies in the evening. I should then repair to friend Martin’s house, who expects to entertain me, converse and pray with the family, as usual, retire to my room at ten o’clock, commend myself to my heavenly Father, lie down to rest, and wake up in glory.”
- #35 What would I do if I had three months to live?
- #36 Plan Ahead Grieve Well Live Now Live Forever
- #37 Prayer