QT 10/9/2025 Gen 25:1-11, Funerals and questions of legacy

 

Genesis 25:1–11 (ESV) —

1 Abraham took another wife, whose name was Keturah. 2 She bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. 3 Jokshan fathered Sheba and Dedan. The sons of Dedan were Asshurim, Letushim, and Leummim. 4 The sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah. 5 Abraham gave all he had to Isaac. 6 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.

7 These are the days of the years of Abraham’s life, 175 years. 8 Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people. 9 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, 10 the field that Abraham purchased from the Hittites. There Abraham was buried, with Sarah his wife. 11 After the death of Abraham, God blessed Isaac his son. And Isaac settled at Beer-lahai-roi.

 

NOTE: It is nice to see Ishmael and Isaac at his funeral. Possibly after Sarah's death, they reunited, we don't know. The two sons were not enemies. Abraham gave all he had to Isaac, although he gave gifts to other children born late in life to Keturah. Isaac was a rich man with a beautiful wife.

 

The scriptures say that Abraham died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, 175 to be exact. He experienced a lot of ups and downs in life. He experienced trials, fears, and great successes. He had spiritual failures and spiritual victories, the latter occurring much more often after the miracle birth of his son Isaac. He died rich materially and rich spiritually.

 

Attending a funeral is a good time for self-evaluation. Where is my life going? What is my legacy? What will I be remembered for? And maybe the question we don't ask but should, what do I want to be remembered as and for?

 

PONDER:

1. What is my legacy now?
2. What do I want it to be?

 

PRAYER: Father, I want my children to believe I was a good father who loved you foremost. I want to be someone they could always talk to about anything. I want to be someone whose advice they cherished. I want them to say, I know my Dad loved me as he loved you, God.