Paying Full Price

Genesis 23:16

So Abraham agreed to Ephron’s price and paid the amount he had suggested—400 pieces of silver, weighed according to the market standard. The Hittite elders witnessed the transaction.

In Genesis 23, Abraham’s beloved wife, Sarah has died. For Abraham, nothing but the best would do for Sarah, even the place where she was to be buried. He went to the Hittite elders and explained that he needed to buy a plot of land to bury Sarah.

Abraham had his mind set on a cave owned by Ephron son of Zohar. Now the haggling could begin!

The traditional way of haggling is seen in the Genesis 23 passage. First, the owner offers to give it to the other person, knowing there is no way they can accept it. When the buyer refused the gift, the owner would offer a high price, expecting a counteroffer.

Abraham shocked him by accepting the first offer without trying to get a lower price! In doing so, Abraham made sure that Ephron could never accuse him of taking the land, paying too low a price for it, or using guilt or sympathy to get it cheaper.

He paid full price, and that showed his love for his wife. To Abraham, Sarah was worth it.

God paid full price for us by sending his son, Jesus. Jesus paid full price for us by dying on the cross. Jesus could have said he would suffer some of the pain and humiliation, or even gotten out of it altogether. Instead, he obeyed his Father and paid the full price for you and me.

To Jesus, we are worth it.

Today’s Readings: Genesis 23,24; Luke 9

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