Torah Portion: Genesis 23:1-25:18

Chayei Sarah (‘Sarah lived…’)

Abraham had been called to leave his country, his people and his father’s household to found a great nation through which all nations on earth would be blessed. 62 years later, he needed to approach the people of Canaan to buy a burial plot for his wife, Sarah. He saw himself as an alien and stranger among them, although they addressed him as a mighty prince. He had earned their respect but over all this time had not assimilated. Unlike his nephew, Lot, who moved into the city of Sodom with terrible consequences for his family, Abraham remained set apart, faithful to the promises of God.

No Compromise

Therefore, when it was time to find a wife for his son, Isaac, the one through whom the Lord’s promises would be fulfilled, there could be no compromise. Isaac must not marry a Canaanite. Neither should he go back to Abraham’s native land and family.

Instead, a trusted servant was commissioned to go to find the chosen wife and Abraham had faith that the Lord would prepare the way so that the woman would be willing to come. The Lord had promised to give the land of Canaan to Abraham’s offspring so the servant was instructed, “Make sure that you do not take my son back [to Haran].”

The servant went with faith in his master’s God and was led in a wonderful way to find the chosen bride, Rebekah, as she came out of the town to draw water. He was welcomed by her family, Abraham’s close relatives.

As the servant explained who he was and how the Lord had led him, Laban and Bethuel (Rebekah’s brother and father) acknowledged that this visitor was from the Lord. It seems they had an awareness of God without the fullness of relationship and calling given to Abraham.

The servant did not want any delay in returning to his aged master and Rebekah agreed, setting off on the journey to another land to become Isaac’s wife.

Pressing On

We too need to know what the Lord is calling us to do and to be willing to trust Him to lead us without turning back. Abraham’s father had set off for Canaan but only travelled part of the way. Had he been called by the Lord but not fulfilled his calling? We need to keep going without compromise.

“But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus” (Phil 3:13b-14).

The Lord Yeshua Himself said, “No-one who puts his hand to the plough and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62).

Author: Catharine Pakington