Genesis 25:1-18 “Abraham’s Final Days”

“Then Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people.”
Genesis 25:8 (NKJV)

Some people obviously live longer and healthier than others. Abraham was 137 years old when Sarah died. After this, he married Keturah. The Bible says that when he was 100, his body was as good as dead (Hebrews 11:12). And yet God revitalized him so that he was able to father Isaac and many more children by Keturah well into his second century!

“Those who are planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing, to declare that the LORD is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.”
Psalm 92:13–15 (NKJV)

We could easily describe Abraham as “fresh and flourishing” even though he was an old man. I know people who are still serving the Lord with joy and enthusiasm well into their eighties. We see from this Psalm that one of the reasons God keeps them around is so they will declare to the next generation that God is a rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him. In other words, He is trustworthy and good. As we grow older, we can still do plenty for the Lord. We can tell others about our faith story. We can pray for our loved ones and for those who don’t know Christ. We can pray for our city, state and nation and for all those who are in authority. These are all ways we can “flourish in the courts of our God.” We are not the ones to decide when we quit. We may retire from our current job when we reach a certain age, but only God determines when we retire from this life.

But the time did come when Abraham reached the end of his days and breathed his last. Then he was gathered to his people. This is an interesting phrase because it speaks of a great family reunion beyond this life. This is also the hope of every believer in Jesus Christ.

Who are the people you know in Christ who have gone to be with the Lord? Who are the people alive today whom you want to see in heaven?

We all have a finite number of days. One day will be our last in this world. Let’s pray that God helps us to make the most of our time to help others come to know Jesus. Then we can expect a great family reunion for eternity!

No guilt in life, no fear in death—
This is the pow’r of Christ in me;
From life’s first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow’r of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home—
Here in the pow’r of Christ I’ll stand.
“In Christ Alone” lyrics by Stuart Townend