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Genesis Chapter 23
In Genesis Chapter 23 we see that Sarah has died and is buried. She's the only woman whose age at death is provided in the Bible. How long did she live?
Daily Bible Study Questions for Genesis Chapter 23
Day One
1. Sarah is the only woman in the Bible whose age is given at her death. She died at the age of 127.
From the following Scriptures, given the ages of Abraham, Isaac, and Ishmael at her death, how long did they live after her?
Ages at Sarah's death:
- Abraham was 137 (Genesis 17:17)
- Ishmael was 51 (Genesis 16:16; 17:17)
- Isaac was 37 (Genesis 21:5; 17:17)
How long they lived after her:
- Abraham - Genesis 25:7-8
- Ishmael - Genesis 25:17
- Isaac - Genesis 35:28-29
Day Two
2. Why is it ironic for Abraham to ask the Hittites for land to bury Sarah?
3. Which of God's promises to Abraham did Sarah not see before she died?
Day Three
4. Notice the progression of Abraham's requests in his plea for a place to bury Sarah in the verses from Genesis chapter 23 below. They move from a general first request to increasingly more specific requests. Identify the progression using the table below.
Verses
Verses 3 and 4
Who Abraham addresses
What Abraham requests
Verses 7, 8, and 9
Verses 12 and 13
5. This increasingly specific series of requests of Abraham and the subsequent purchase of the field and cave by Abraham from Ephron forms a verbal contract. What are the words or phrases in the verses below that are essential to the "public filing" of the contract?
- Verse 9
- Verse 10
- Verse 11
- Verse 13
- Verse 16
- Verse 18
Day Four
6. Compare how Abraham describes himself in verse four to what the Hittites say about him in verse six. What does this tell you about Abraham, the Hittites, and the God of Abraham?
Day Five
7. According to the Archaeological Study Bible, the cave at Machpelah has been a special place for Muslims, Jews, and Christians since Abraham was buried there. Of course the Old Testament and New Testaments indicate God's affection for Abraham, and therefore he's highly respected by Jews and Christians. But the Muslims respect Abraham as well and consider him and his family chosen by God (The Qur'an 3:33).
Over the years, the cave has been regarded as a special place by all who would rule over the land. Herod the Great built a monumental enclosure over the site that remains today. Since then Jews, Christians, and Muslims have built synagogues, churches, and mosques at the site.
Muslims sealed the subterranean portions of the site in the fourteenth century A.D. but you can visit the site today. It's known to Christians and Jews as the Cave of the Patriarchs and to Muslims as the Sanctuary of Abraham or the Ibrahimi Mosque. It's considered a holy site to all three religions.
Review verses 29 to 32 of Genesis 49, and verses 12 and 13 of Genesis 50 to identify the five others who are buried in the cave at Machpela besides Sarah.
8. Like Sarah, someday we will all die. Unless you're a famous or historical person, you likely won't be remembered much beyond your immediate or extended family.
Regardless of your impact on society or history, as a born again Christ follower you're of great value to God and He has prepared an eternal place of joy for you with Him beyond your present life on earth.
But still, you have an opportunity to make an impact before you depart for heaven. So, how would you like to be remembered by your family?
Click here to compare your answers for this Bible study lesson.
We pray this Bible Study on Genesis Chapter 23 has been a blessing to you.