Missing: Identity
Genesis 23:4-5a
“I am a sojourner and foreigner among you; give me property among you for a burying place, that I may bury my dead out of sight.” The Hittites answered Abraham, “Hear us, my lord; you are a prince of God among us.”
As Abraham takes a detour into yet another unknown town, notice that there isn’t any manipulation in his voice anymore. He’s over 127 years old now, hurting from the loss of his lifelong bride, and he’s a bit like that crippled veteran I passed on the street the other day who genuinely needed help and wasn’t too proud to ask for it. Yet, it’s odd that Abraham has to resort to this, isn’t it? He’s God’s patriarch for goodness’ sake! Shouldn’t he already have his own family burial ground in the Canaan hills somewhere, readied for the millions of offspring soon to come? How is he still a sojourner, still a foreigner, still effectively a beggar after all this time? Well, maybe God wants him to come across these Hittites so that they can remind him who he truly is. Not a weary, old pilgrim, but a heavenly prince!
Christian, if you find yourself wearied by life in this fallen world today, remember who you are. And remember that others can see Him in you even when you can’t.