The Importance of a Formal Agreement -

Genesis Chapter 23

The first two verses of chapter 23 we are told Sarah has died. Abraham, a faithful servant of God showed his deep feelings over the loss of his beloved and loyal wife. They had served Jehovah together all their married life. Although he was a brave man, he was not ashamed to express his grief in tears. Yes, Abraham had a strong faith that God could resurrect the dead, still he grieved openly.

Abraham knew this land well. He and Sarah had traveled up and down the land. However, as alien residents, settlers among the sons of Heth, they had no place to bury their dead loved ones. Abraham wanted to bury Sarah in a cave of Machpelah at the far end of the field belonging to Ephron the son of Zohar. Abraham offers to buy the cave for a set amount of silver.- verses 3-9

Ephron and Abraham conducted their business publicly at the gate of the city. There Ephron made a counter offer, not just the cave but also the field. Abraham agreed to this arrangement and weighed out four hundred silver shekels. - verse 10-20. (Compare Genesis 14:23)

To help prevent misunderstandings in business dealings, notice how Abraham bought this piece of land. He "weighed out to Ephron the amount of silver that he had spoke in the hearing of the sons of Heth, four hundred silver shekels current with the merchants. Thus the field of Ephron that was Machpelah ... became confirmed to Abraham as his purchased property before the eyes of the sons of Heth among those entering the gate of his city." -Gen 23: 16,17,20.

This was no private gentleman's agreement. It was a formal agreement confirmed in front of witnesses. There was no misunderstanding about what had been purchased and the exact price. How does this information benefit us? It is wise for Christians to formalize important transactions. How?
By putting the transaction in writing. The persons involved should write, what is sold, the price, the method of payment, when and how the payment is made, as well as any other condition agreed upon. If it is a service, you should write down the work to be done, when it should be completed, the price and any other factors. This document should be dated and signed and a copy kept by both parties.
This is the wise way to conduct business with any one. Not because of mistrust, but to avoid misunderstandings.

(In case you were wondering: Heth was the second listed son of Canaan and the great-grandson of Noah through Ham. (Ge 10:1, 6, 15) Heth was the ancestral father of the Hittites, who did not worship Abraham's God, Jehovah. Their religion was pagan, undoubtedly being phallic, as were other Canaanite religions.)

Seven Children in a Boat.

By Kate Greenaway

I love this sketch because it reminds me of times when children could romp and play with relatively little danger. They knew how to take care of each other and have fun in the outdoors together. If you like this picture please share with me your reasons why.

I Should Have Been an Architect -

Tempe, Arizona

Tempe Town Hall has always been a very interesting concept.
I like it's lines.

What's New in Tempe?
River Front Regatta Point Condos

This building was first a Bank, it became a Visitors Information Center.
This interesting place was built in 1962, demolished in 2007.

I remember this as a bank, very cool building, so sad it is gone.

And of course the UGLIEST Building in the world.
The Grady Gammage, by Frank Lloyd Wright
We actually lived right across the street
from this building when we first moved to Arizona

So, all you Arizonians!
What buildings would you recommend visitors interested
in Architecture, not miss seeing?

What is This Sound I Hear....

In the Middle of the Night?

This is a mockingbird and it really sings beautifully! We have one that perches in our lime tree and sings all night long! I should be upset about loosing sleep, but it sings so clear and a melody so cheerful, that I just HAVE to ENJOY it! (Yes, it should be a sin to "Kill a Mockingbird")

What about a Sock Monkey?

I think this little guy is cute. What do you think?

Genesis Chapter 22

Abraham's Tested Quality of Faith.

Did you get a chance to read this chapter? Understanding Abraham's faith will help us to develop that same kind of faith in our own lives. And what can we learn about Isaac's submissive and obedient attitude?

Jehovah says to Abraham: "Take please, your son. Your only son whom you so love, Isaac, and make a trip to the land of Moriah and there offer him up as a burnt offering." Gen 22:1 2) Abraham did not linger but in the morning began the 3-day journey to the place Jehovah selected. (Gen 22:3-4)
Abraham had strong faith, but what did he base his faith on? Remember the unusual circumstances in which Isaac was born, both his father and his mother were old, his mother already past child bearing years. (Gen 18:11) Abraham knew that Jehovah could rejuvenate a woman's ability to produce a child, and it was through Isaac that his descendants would develop into a great nation. (Gen 21:12) This must have seemed to be quite a contradiction when Jehovah told Abraham, as a test of his faith, to sacrifice his son Isaac. "Because of the promise of God (Abraham) did not waver in a lack of faith, ...being fully convinced that what (God) had promised he was also able to do." -Romans 4:20 Abraham trusted Jehovah to keep his promises.

When Abraham reaches the place selected by God, notice his words to his servants. "You stay here with the ass, but I and the boy want to go on over there and worship and return to you." -Gen 22:5. Abraham then places the wood needed for the burnt offering upon Isaac and they continue to the designated site. "But where is the sheep for the burnt offering?" Isaac asks. "God will provide himself the sheep" was the answer. -Gen 22:3-8, 14

Reaching the place, they built an altar and laid the wood in place. Then Isaac was bound hand and foot and put atop the wood. As Abraham raised the knife, Jehovah's angel stopped him. Abraham's faith had not been misplaced; Jehovah provided a ram, there caught in the thicket, that could be offered up for a burnt offering in the place of Isaac.- Gen 22:9-14 Yes, Abraham reasoned "that God was able to raise him up even from the dead," and "in an illustrative way" he did receive Isaac back from the dead. (Please compare: Hebrews 11:17-19)


This dramatic episode proved the faith and obedience not only of Abraham but also of his son Isaac. According to Jewish tradition, recorded by Josephus, Issac was 25 years old at this time. He was definitely old enough and strong enough to carry a considerable amount of wood up a mountain. He could have resisted his 125-year old father when the time came to bind him if he had chosen to be rebellious against Jehovah's commandments. Instead, Isaac submissively let his father offer him as a sacrifice in harmony with God's will.

A great prophetic picture was enacted, portraying how Christ Jesus, the Greater Isaac, would in due time willingly lay down his human life as the Lamb of God for mankind's salvation. This also pictures how Jehovah gave his "only-begotten son" for the benefit of all obedient mankind.

Abraham was rewarded for his faith! God told Abraham: "By means of your seed all nations of the earth will certainly bless themselves due to the fact that you have listened to my voice." -Gen 22:18. How? The King of God's heavenly Kingdom would come through Abraham's line of descent. Abraham possessed only limited knowledge of the Kingdom, yet he trusted God and looked forward to its establishment. -Hebrews 11:10.

May we too develop faith as strong as Abraham's. Not a blind faith, but a strong faith based on God's promises and His past actions or demonstrations. (Compare Hebrews 11:1)

Curious Kid

Koen