Religion & Spirituality
What are we to make of this passage? It's kind of strange, isn't it? It gives us a few short verses reporting Sarah's death and then lets us look in on an ancient Middle Eastern land negotiation. Perhaps the biggest question before us is why this story is in the bible. In fact, as I worked through the text this week I became increasingly convinced that answering that question is probably the best way to help you see the meaning and implications of this passage. For that reason, this sermon is structured around explaining why this passage is in the bible from a historical, theological, and practical perspective. Ultimately, as I think you'll clearly see, all three come together to show us the unwavering faithfulness of God even through death. Through this text and this particular approach to it, it is my great hope to help you see the glory of God in new ways and therefore hope in God in new ways as well.