Genesis 25:1 - Meaning and Application

Abraham lived thirty-five years after Isaac was married, and only a few verses tell us what happened in that time. We hear no more about special appearances from God or sharp trials for Abraham. Even the best and greatest believers do not have outwardly remarkable days all the time, because some days pass quietly and unnoticed. These were Abraham’s final quiet years.

First, we are told about his children by Keturah, the wife he married after Sarah died. He had buried Sarah and married Isaac, the two dear companions of his life, and now he was alone. He needed care in his old age, his household needed a woman to manage it, and it was not good for him to remain alone. So he married Keturah, likely the chief of his maidservants, one born in his house or bought with money. Marriage is not forbidden in old age. By her he had six sons, and in them part of God’s promise to greatly increase Abraham’s descendants was fulfilled. Abraham likely had this promise in mind when he married again. The strength he received through the promise still remained in him, showing how much greater God’s promise is than natural strength.

Second, Abraham put his estate in order, with wisdom and fairness (Genesis 25:5, 25:6). After these sons were born, he settled his house carefully. He made Isaac his heir, as he was bound to do, both out of fairness to Sarah, his first and chief wife, and to Rebekah, who married Isaac with that understanding (Genesis 24:36). What he gave Isaac may have included the promise of the land of Canaan and the continuing line of the covenant. Or, since God had already made Isaac the heir of the promise, Abraham therefore made him the heir of his property as well. Our love and our gifts should follow God’s choice.

He gave gifts to the other children too, both to Ishmael, though Ishmael had once been sent away with nothing, and to his sons by Keturah. This was fair, because parents should provide for their children, and those who do not are worse than unbelievers. It was also wise to send these sons far from Isaac, so they could not claim a share in the inheritance or become a burden to him. Notice that Abraham did this while he was still alive, so it would not be left undone, or done badly, later. In many cases, it is wise for people to handle their own affairs while they can, and do what needs to be done without delay.

These sons of the concubines were sent east of Canaan, and their descendants became known as the children of the east, famous for their great numbers (Judges 6:5, 6:33). Their large family line was the result of God’s promise to Abraham that he would multiply his seed. In the way God gives blessings, he acts as Abraham did. He gives common blessings to the children of this world, as he did to the sons of the slave woman, but covenant blessings he keeps for the heirs of promise. All that he has belongs to them, because they are his Isaacs, and the rest will be separated from them forever.

Third, we are told about Abraham’s age and death (Genesis 25:7, 25:8). He lived 175 years, which was 100 years after he came to Canaan. For all that time he lived as a stranger in a foreign land. Though he lived long and lived well, though he did much good and was hard to spare, he still died in the end. His death is described carefully.

He gave up his spirit. His life was not taken from him by force, but he willingly handed it over. He committed his spirit into the hands of the Father of spirits. He died in a good old age, as God had promised him. His death freed him from the troubles of old age, since an old man should not expect to live forever in this world. It was also the crowning honor of his old age. He was full of years, or full of life, meaning he had all the comforts and blessings that life could bring. He did not live until the world grew tired of him, but until he grew tired of the world. He had enough of it and wanted no more. A good man, even if he does not die old, dies full of days, satisfied with this life and longing for a better one.

He was gathered to his people. His body was gathered to the dead, and his soul to the blessed. Death gathers us to our people. Those who are our people while we live, whether they belong to God or to this world, are the people death will gather us to.

Fourth, we are told about his burial (Genesis 25:9, 25:10). Nothing is said about the pomp or ceremony of his funeral. We are only told who buried him and where. Isaac and Ishmael, his sons, buried him. This was the last act of respect they could give their good father. There had once been distance between Isaac and Ishmael, but Abraham had likely brought them together while he lived, or at least his death reconciled them.

They buried him in his own burial place, the field he had bought, where he had already buried Sarah. Those who have been dear to each other in life may rightly wish to be buried together, so they may not be divided in death, and as a sign of their hope of rising together.