And the field, and the cave that is therein, were made sure unto Abraham for a possession of a buryingplace by the sons of Heth.
I DETAIN the Reader but with two reflections on this Chapter. May the Holy Ghost increase them largely, and profitably to his mind! The one is, that in the confirmation of God's promises to Abraham, to give him Canaan for an everlasting possession, the first spot of it which he could truly call his own, was his burying-place. This was indeed possessing it, until the glorious morning of a resurrection. The other is, from hence the first sound of that sweet declaration was made, which John in after ages heard more distinctly: Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord. These all died in faith, said the Apostle. They fell asleep in Jesus. Lord, grant me the same faith! May it be my portion that, wherever the Machpelah for my earthly house may be, Jesus may receive my soul: and may it be found in that hour that I have a building with God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.