Chayei Sarah חַיֵּי שָׂרָה- Life of Sarah
Genesis 18:1-22:24
Reading #6 - Genesis 25:1–11
My Thoughts:
In verse 5 we read that “Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac.” Some of us may look at that as unfair, because he had other children too. Scripture continues to say that he gave “gifts” to his other kids -- which could have been huge. He could have been giving land, animals, etc. But as we look at Abraham the father of Isaac giving him all that he had, maybe it was more than physical gifts. He passed on the “blessing” that Hashem gave him, that was the true “everything”. And later we see Hashem confirming that blessing. Maybe the greatest blessing Abraham gave his son was teaching him how to love and serve Hashem. And that is exactly how we can give our children and grandchildren “everything we have”.
Challenge:
My challenge to you today is to start giving your children or those close to you “everything you have”. Maybe not the physical, but passing on to them what you know about your love for Hashem and how you worship him. I think about how my sons are in Special Olympics and every year during summer games they have a big ceremony of “passing the torch”. They take a lit torch and pass it from one person to another until the last one receives it and then they run with it! Let us have that challenge today to pass the “torch of Hashem’s truth and love” to those whom we love. Start passing the light today.
READING #6 - Genesis 25:1–11
25 Abraham took another wife, and her name was Keturah. 2 She bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. 3 Jokshan became the father of Sheba, and Dedan. The sons of Dedan were Asshurim, Letushim, and Leummim. 4 The sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah. 5 Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac, 6 but Abraham gave gifts to the sons of Abraham’s concubines. While he still lived, he sent them away from Isaac his son, eastward, to the east country. 7 These are the days of the years of Abraham’s life which he lived: one hundred seventy-five years. 8 Abraham gave up his spirit, and died at a good old age, an old man, and full of years, and was gathered to his people. 9 Isaac and Ishmael, his sons, buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron, the son of Zohar the Hittite, which is near Mamre, 10 the field which Abraham purchased from the children of Heth. Abraham was buried there with Sarah, his wife. 11 After the death of Abraham, Elohim blessed Isaac, his son. Isaac lived by Beer Lahai Roi.
