Genesis 25:7-10 - HEREAFTER
Last night I watched a video called "HEREAFTER" with Matt Damon. It is a movie about people grappling with what happens to them after they die. Matt Damon plays the part of a reluctant Psychic who connects with people who have died by touching the hands of relatives. He relates what those who have died are saying. By the way, doing this is strictly prohibited in the Bible (Deuteronomy 18:10-14).
The thing that really strikes me about Genesis 25 is a clear reference to the HEREAFTER. Genesis 25:7 says "Abraham lived for 175 years, and he died at a ripe old age..." That's an understatement! 175 is almost OVERRIPE but I think the idea here is that it was a fruitful life because it goes on to say that he "lived a long and satisfying life. He breathed his last and JOINED HIS ANCESTORS IN DEATH."
Think about that statement for a moment. Genesis 25:8 (NASB) - "gathered to his people." Henry Morris in his book "the Genesis Record", points out that this is an interesting phrase since NONE of his ancestors were buried in the cave of Machpelah where he was buried, so it can't refer to the actual BURIAL PLACE.
It has to be a reference to LIFE AFTER DEATH! Do "HIS PEOPLE" refer to those who died, from Adam down to him, believing in God? Are "his people" believers, the believing line through the line of Seth? I think so. God is creating a scarlet thread of redemption down through the pages of the Old Testament that will eventually end up with the birth of Christ. He is creating a spiritual line that extends down even further.
What makes this statement even more compelling as a reference to the HEREAFTER is that nineteen hundred years later, the place where believers are said to go to when they die is actually described as "ABRAHAM'S BOSOM" (Luke 16:22). We will be with Abraham, the father of those who believe (Romans 4:9-13).
Even the most Godly people die. 100% of us die. Romans 6:23 (NLT) says that "the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord." Every person since Adam and Eve has forfeited their lives because of sin except, of course, Jesus, who never sinned. He did not forfeit His life but gave Himself up freely for us (John 10:17-18), paying the penalty for our sin (Romans 5:8).
John 3:16 (NLT) says “For God loved the world so much that He gave His One and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life."
The invitation God offers us concerning the HEREAFTER is to accept the gift of eternal life through faith in Christ. John 3:36 (NLT) says that "anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life." There is a HEREAFTER. Not everyone who thinks they are going to heaven will be there, however (John 3:36), but those who place their trust in Christ and come under His authority will experience the gift of eternal life with God.
Abraham lived a long life and then received eternal life because he believed in the promises of God. Romans 4:9-25 (NLT) says "... that Abraham was counted as righteous by God because of his faith. ... So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift. ... For Abraham is the father of all who believe. That is what the Scriptures mean when God told him, “I have made you the father of many nations.”
The spiritual line of Abraham didn't stop at Christ. It was intended to continue down through to me and you. It leads us to Christ and back to Christ, always. God bless you as you make choices today concerning Christ which echo in eternity.
Pastor Ross
