Context No. 2709 of 4322 · Genesis

Genesis 23:12-20: in context

12Abraham bowed himself down before the people of the land. 13He spoke to Ephron in the audience of the people of the land, saying, “But if you will, please hear me. I will give the price of the field. Take it from me, and I will bury my dead there.” 14Ephron answered Abraham, saying to him, 15“My lord, listen to me. What is a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver between me and you? Therefore bury your dead.” 16Abraham listened to Ephron. Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver which he had named in the hearing of the children of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, according to the current merchants’ standard. 17So the field of Ephron, which was in Machpelah, which was before Mamre, the field, the cave which was in it, and all the trees that were in the field, that were in all of its borders, were deeded 18to Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, before all who went in at the gate of his city. 19After this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah before Mamre (that is, Hebron), in the land of Canaan. 20The field, and the cave that is in it, were deeded to Abraham by the children of Heth as a possession for a burial place.

Abraham is finishing the purchase of a burial place for Sarah, and the whole exchange is a study in the courtesy of the town gate. Ephron offers the field of Machpelah as a gift, waving off the price as nothing between friends. Abraham will not take it that way. He bows, insists on paying, and weighs out four hundred shekels of silver in front of the assembled witnesses.

He could have accepted a favor. Instead he pays full weight so the claim can never be disputed, and the field, the cave, and the trees are legally deeded to him before all who pass through the city gate. This is the first piece of the promised land Abraham will ever own, and he secures it by honest purchase and public record rather than a handshake that might later unravel. Faith here looks like plain integrity in a business deal.

Do I let my dealings be as clean and above-board as Abraham's, so that what I hold, I hold honestly?

Sources

Genesis 23:16: "Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver... four hundred shekels of silver, according to the current merchants' standard."
Romans 12:17: "Repay no one evil for evil. Respect what is honorable in the sight of all men."
1 Thessalonians 4:12: "That you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and may need nothing."