The Death of Abraham
Text: Genesis 25:1-18
Core Idea: God assures us that even when chapters come to an end, His promises do not. Knowing He has been faithful in our past, He will be faithful in what lies ahead. So, let’s step forward not in fear, but in hope – resting in Him.
INTRODUCTION
We’re continuing our journey through the Book of Genesis – tracing how God’s plan of salvation began. Over the past many months, we’ve spent a great deal of time with Abraham and Sarah. I mentioned this at our prayer meeting yesterday, but since March, I preached 14 sermons on their lives – and through them, we saw that their story was marked by moments of deep fear and great courage, painful compromise and confident obedience, long seasons of waiting and joyful fulfillment. But today, our journey with Abraham is about to end. The man who left everything behind in Genesis 12, the man who waited decades for a son, the man who stumbled, repented, and slowly learned to trust God – this man of faith was now reaching the end of his life. And yet Scripture doesn’t treat this as the end of the story but as a passing of the torch. Abraham’s life comes to a close – but God’s promise does not. Isaac will now take center stage, and soon Jacob will follow. And I can’t think of a more fitting passage for the last Sunday of the year, because this time of the year naturally makes us reflective. We look back on the joys and the sorrows, the gains and the losses, prayers answered and prayers that still feel unanswered. And we look ahead to what we cannot yet see – for some, with anticipation, and for others, with fear. It’s true – we do not know exactly what 2026 will hold. But Genesis 25 will offer us a truth we can cling to in this moment of transition – that even though seasons change, people come and go, and chapters close, the faithfulness of God does not change. The God who carried Abraham will carry Isaac. And in the same way, the God who has been with us through 2025 will not abandon us as we step into 2026. So, with that in mind, please turn with me to Genesis 25:1-18 – and let me read this for us.
1 Abraham had taken another wife, whose name was Keturah. 2 She bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak and Shuah. 3 Jokshan was the father of Sheba and Dedan; the descendants of Dedan were the Ashurites, the Letushites and the Leummites. 4 The sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanok, Abida and Eldaah. All these were descendants of Keturah. 5 Abraham left everything he owned to Isaac. 6 But while he was still living, he gave gifts to the sons of his concubines and sent them away from his son Isaac to the land of the east. 7 Abraham lived a hundred and seventy-five years. 8 Then Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age, an old man and full of years; and he was gathered to his people. 9 His sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah near Mamre, in the field of Ephron son of Zohar the Hittite, 10 the field Abraham had bought from the Hittites. There Abraham was buried with his wife Sarah. 11 After Abraham’s death, God blessed his son Isaac, who then lived near Beer Lahai Roi. 12 This is the account of the family line of Abraham’s son Ishmael, whom Sarah’s slave, Hagar the Egyptian, bore to Abraham. 13 These are the names of the sons of Ishmael, listed in the order of their birth: Nebaioth the firstborn of Ishmael, Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, 14 Mishma, Dumah, Massa, 15 Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish and Kedemah. 16 These were the sons of Ishmael, and these are the names of the twelve tribal rulers according to their settlements and camps. 17 Ishmael lived a hundred and thirty-seven years. He breathed his last and died, and he was gathered to his people. 18 His descendants settled in the area from Havilah to Shur, near the eastern border of Egypt, as you go toward Ashur. And they lived in hostility toward all the tribes related to them.
Let me share three things that this passage is inviting us to do:
· LOOK BACK WITH GRATITUDE
· LET GO WITH FAITH
· LOOK AHEAD WITH HOPE
1) LOOK BACK WITH GRATITUDE
Verse 1 begins with a detail that may surprise many readers: Abraham took another wife named Keturah and had at least six children with her. This caught me off guard because Paul said in Romans 4:19, “[Abraham’s] body was as good as dead – since he was about a hundred years old – and that Sarah’s womb was also dead.” So, I asked myself, “When did Abraham take Keturah as a wife? Was it before Sarah died or after?” Now, some argue that it must have been before Sarah’s death, possibly even before Isaac was born, to explain Abraham’s ability to have more children. But that seems unlikely considering that Abraham had already experienced the relational and spiritual pain that came from taking Hagar as a concubine. He had seen how taking matters into his own hands led to conflict, jealousy, and lasting division in his marriage. So, it’s difficult to imagine Abraham returning to that kind of situation while Sarah was still alive. Then, a more compelling explanation is that Abraham married Keturah after Sarah’s death – and that just as God miraculously opened Sarah’s womb, He may also have renewed Abraham’s strength in his later years so that he was able to have children again. In other words, the God who gave life where there was barrenness continued to give life even as Abraham approached the end of his days. But this raises another question: Why does the author include this detail at all? How does this matter for the story of salvation? The answer is simple but profound: to display God’s faithfulness. Back in Genesis 17:5-6, God said to Abraham, “No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you.” Yet until this point in the narrative, Abraham had only two sons, Isaac and Ishmael – which means that even though the promise was real, it still felt somewhat incomplete. So, as readers, we may have assumed that the promise would be fulfilled after Abraham’s death – through Isaac’s descendants, or through Abraham’s spiritual children who would one day believe in the Messiah. But our passage shows us something unexpected: God’s faithfulness was more immediate than anyone anticipated. Through Keturah, Abraham fathered more sons who became ancestors of people groups and nations. Richard Phillips said: “The descendants of Medan and Ishbak are mentioned in the annals of the Assyrian king Shalmaneser III as having settled in Syria. Bildad, one of Job’s three friends, descended from Shuah. Most notable was Midian, who settled in the Sinai desert and whose descendant Jethro was Moses’ father-in-law and counselor.” In other words, God’s promise was far more expansive than Abraham could see in the moment – and far more immediate than he expected. Who would’ve thought Abraham would father at least six more sons?
And just as God was faithful to Abraham, Abraham was faithful to God – verse 5, “Abraham left everything he owned to Isaac.” This wasn’t favoritism – it was obedience. Abraham didn’t divide the inheritance equally among all his sons but entrusted everything to Isaac – trusting that God’s promise to continue His covenant through Isaac was true. In fact, verse 6 tells us that Abraham sent his other sons away so that there would be no rivalry or confusion within the covenant line. But even then, he sent them away with gifts – showing us that he still loved them deeply. Abraham trusted God enough to protect the promise – but he was also generous enough to bless those outside the covenant line. Then, we can’t help but ask: How was Abraham able to act with such clarity and resolve, without fear or hesitation, knowing he could be misunderstood? Think about it. From a worldly point of view, his actions could’ve appeared harsh – even unloving. But the reason he acted this way was simple: Because a lifetime of walking with God had taught him that God could be trusted. And one thing we need to recognize is that this kind of trust is not formed overnight but over time – through seasons of waiting, obedience, and surrender. It grows as we look back and begin to see that what once felt confusing or disappointing was actually part of God’s faithful work all along.
And this is where this passage can speak personally to us – because the truth is that there are seasons in our lives when God’s faithfulness is hard to see in real time. In the middle of the journey, we often don’t feel confident or clear about whether God really is present and working in our lives. In fact, it’s often only later, when we finally pause and look back, that we begin to recognize how God was leading us all along. This past June, our family went hiking in Calgary. I was carrying Julian. So, my eyes were almost always fixed on the ground – watching my footing, catching my breath, and navigating obstacles so that I don’t fall. The hike felt slow, and at times, I wondered if we were making any progress. But when I reached the end of the trail and turned around, I could finally see how far we had come – the winding paths and the sections I didn’t even realize I had passed through. Progress was only visible in hindsight. That’s often how God’s faithfulness becomes visible. In the middle of the journey, Abraham didn’t always see the “multitude of nations.” What he saw was how much he had to wait and how old he was getting. He experienced setbacks, misunderstandings, and long stretches of uncertainty. But near the end, he looked back and saw that God had been faithful all along. And for many of us, the end of the year offers that same perspective. As you look back on this year, you may realize that God’s faithfulness wasn’t always dramatic. It may not have come through big breakthroughs or immediate answers. Instead, it was displayed through ordinary means – by sustaining you with strength you didn’t possess on your own, by preserving relationships that could’ve fallen apart, by granting wisdom at critical moments, and by closing doors that felt disappointing but were actually God’s acts of mercy and protection. All that to say, even though you may not have been aware of it, God was at work. And here’s something important to remember: Abraham’s recognition of God’s faithfulness shaped how he lived to the very end. Seeing God’s faithfulness behind him gave him the courage to obey God fully as he moved forward – entrusting all his inheritance to Isaac. And maybe that’s something we need to be reminded of today. When we fail to count God’s past faithfulness, the truth is that we’ll be tempted to drift into fear, cling to control, and compromise because we’re constantly doubting whether God will really come through in our lives. But when we look back and realize that God has been faithful, it’ll free us to obey Him more fully, more joyfully, and more confidently. So, let me ask you: What has God brought you through this year that you didn’t think you would survive? Where did He provide in ways that felt small at the time but now feel significant? Are there promises you’re still waiting on? If so, do you truly believe that God is already working in ways you’ll only recognize in hindsight? Faithfulness is not about seeing the whole picture – it’s about trusting the God who holds our lives in His hands. Then, as we close this year, let’s not rush past this moment. As you look back, let God’s past faithfulness fuel faith for today.
2) LET GO WITH FAITH
Verse 7: “Abraham lived a hundred and seventy-five years. Then Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age, an old man and full of years.” The phrase, “full of years,” doesn’t just describe longevity. It also describes contentment – implying that Abraham didn’t grow older filled with regret, bitterness, or disappointment. Instead, he grew in gratitude – satisfied with the portion God had given him. Yes, it was a blessing to see God’s promises being fulfilled – but more than that, walking with God itself was the blessing. At the same time, Abraham’s death reminds us of a sobering reality – that our days are numbered. The length of our lives is not accidental but lovingly ordained by God – which means that none of us die too soon, and none of us live too long. In fact, Scripture repeatedly calls us to live in light of this truth. Psalm 139:16 says, “All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 90:12 says, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” And Psalm 39:4 says, “Show me, LORD, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is.” Now, this call to number our days is not only for those who are older – it’s for all of us because we won’t truly live with intention until we acknowledge that our lives are finite. When we forget that our lives are limited, we start living as if this world is all there is. We invest far more in this life than in the life to come. We live as if we’re invincible – even though we have no idea what tomorrow holds for us. In reflection of his father’s death, Marvin R. O’Connell wrote, “We who are bereaved by the death of our father will find no solid relief unless we acknowledge that what has occurred is a result not of chance, nor of some fatal necessity of nature, nor of the interplay of the elements or parts of the human condition; it is rather an event indispensable, inevitable, just, holy, and useful for the well-being of the Church and for the exaltation of the name and of the glory of God, an intervention of Providence decreed from all eternity to take place in the fulness of time, in such a manner. What is left for us is to unite our will to that of God Himself, to will in Him, with Him, and for Him the thing that He has eternally willed in us and for us.” This teaches us two comforting truths – that the exact timing of death is held in God’s providential hands and that true peace comes when we align our hearts with the will of God.
And here, I want to invite us to do something we often avoid: to think honestly about our own death – to number our own days because it’s only when we take our mortality seriously that our lives will begin to take shape. When we recognize that our days are limited, we’ll begin to live with clarity – clarity about what truly matters and what doesn’t. We’ll begin to live with humility because we’ll remember that we’re not in control. We’ll begin to live with purpose because we’ll realize that every day is a gift, not a guarantee. In contrast, when we avoid facing our mortality, we’ll get tempted to delay obedience because we assume that we have more time – more time to forgive, reconcile, serve, and follow God more faithfully later. But numbering our days shatters that assumption because it reminds us that later is not promised – and that faithfulness is meant to be practiced now. In fact, thinking honestly about our death also reshapes how we hold onto things. It loosens our grip on what is temporary and helps us hold more tightly to what is eternal because we recognize that this world is not our final home and that our hope does not end at the grave. More than that, it’ll change how we spend our time, how we invest our energy, how we prioritize relationships, and how we walk with God. Now, if you’re still having a hard time grasping this reality of life after death, our passage helps us. Verse 8 tells us Abraham “was gathered to his people.” This cannot mean that he was buried with his ancestors because he wasn’t. He was far from his hometown. In fact, this comes before the actual burial described in verses 9-10. Then, listen to how Kent Hughes explains this verse: “Abraham was gathered to his people – not to his tomb, not to Sarah’s bones, but to his people, the living fellowship of the redeemed.” Think about that last statement. He’s basically saying, “Death for believers is not the end – it’s a reunion.” It’s a gathering with those who have gone before us in faith. And that should bring us deep comfort – especially to those who may be grieving the loss of their loved ones. In Christ, we will meet again.
But perhaps the most comforting truth is found in verse 11: “After Abraham’s death, God blessed his son Isaac.” In other words, God’s work didn’t stop when Abraham’s life ended. This should humble all of us because it implies that God doesn’t depend on our longevity to accomplish His purposes. He doesn’t need us to live forever for His promises to be fulfilled. In one sense, we are all replaceable. Now, I don’t say this to diminish our value but to free us because it means that we can serve joyfully and be forgotten joyfully – trusting that God will continue to be glorified and His work be carried forward by the next generation. Brothers and sisters, is that how you’re viewing your life? Are you living with the awareness that your days are numbered? And if so, are you learning to let go – or are you holding on to things more tightly than ever? Are you seeking to be faithful with everything God has entrusted to you, while also being ready to release it when He calls? As we move toward a new year, you may feel the pressure to fix everything, to control outcomes, and to know exactly what’s coming next. But this passage reminds us that faith sometimes looks like letting go. Abraham prepared Isaac. Then, he entrusted the future to God. And maybe that’s what God is calling us to do today. There are things we’ve been holding too tightly this year – plans, expectations, fears, and regrets. But as the year closes, God may be inviting us not to carry them forward, but to lay them down. The end of a year isn’t only a time to set new goals – it can also be a time to release old burdens. I pray that we would do this – knowing that the same God who carried Abraham to the end of his journey is the God who will carry us home.
3) LOOK AHEAD WITH HOPE
In verse 12, the passage shifts its focus to Ishmael. At first, this might feel like an odd way to conclude Abraham’s story – but it’s intentional. Here, we’re told that Ishmael had twelve sons, and that they became twelve rulers – forming a great nation. This detail matters because it shows that God was faithful to His word. God promised that Abraham would become a great nation – and He fulfilled that promise not only through Isaac, but also through Ishmael. In other words, even those who were not part of the covenant line were not forgotten – God’s blessing overflowed beyond the covenant line. But Ishmael’s genealogy points to more than blessing – it points to redemption. Let me explain. In verse 6, we read that the sons of the concubines were sent away to the land of the east. This is worth pointing out because in Genesis, moving east often marks movement away from God’s presence. Adam and Eve were driven east of Eden after the fall. Cain went east after being cursed by the Lord. The people of Babel were migrating eastward to make a name for themselves apart from God. And Lot chose to move east toward Sodom – which caused him to slowly drift away from God. So, when the author tells us that these sons went east, he’s helping us understand that their descendants were moving away from the center of God’s presence and promise. Now, if we stopped reading here, we might assume that this distance meant permanent darkness – that those who moved east were beyond hope. But Scripture doesn’t end there. In Isaiah 60, we’re given a vision of a day when light will shine into darkness, when the glory of the Lord will rise, and when the nations will stream back toward God. And remarkably, Isaiah names descendants of Keturah and Ishmael as among those who will come. Isaiah 60:6-7 says, “Herds of camels will cover your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah. And all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and incense and proclaiming the praise of the LORD. All Kedar’s flocks will be gathered to you, the rams of Nebaioth will serve you.” Those names are not random. Midian and Ephah come from Keturah’s line. And Kedar and Nebaioth come from Ishmael’s line. Then, here, Isaiah is showing us that those who once moved east, those who seemed far off, are pictured as coming home. Darkness didn’t have the final word – and distance didn’t cancel God’s mercy. And we can’t help but ask: “How will that be made possible?” Isaiah tells us in verse 1: “Arise, shine, for your light has come.” In other words, the coming Messiah will make that possible. When He comes, His light will shine into darkness – and He will gather those who were far off and restore what seemed lost. In fact, that’s exactly what we celebrated at Christmas. The Light has entered the world. And through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, salvation has been made available to all who believe – both Jew and Gentile. But what’s even more amazing is that Isaiah’s vision appears again at the very end of the Bible. In Revelation 21, John describes the New Jerusalem – the City of God. And he tells us that there, all the nations will walk by its light. In other words, the story that began with Abraham finds its final fulfillment when Christ returns to make all things new.
And that truth is not only our future hope – it’s also our present hope. Friends, are you discouraged today because you’re suffering – because you feel attacked, misunderstood, or simply worn down? Are you beginning to wonder whether it’s worth continuing to trust God – whether it might be easier to give up and settle for what this world offers because you just can’t see how God’s promises could ever come to fruition? Brothers and sisters, believe that Jesus will bring His Kingdom. It may not be right away, and it may not come all at once – but He will do it. It’s true – until then, we will live in seasons between promise and fulfillment, which may not always be easy. But Scripture tells us not to lose heart. Instead, we’re called to trust Him deeply – believing that He is in control. Abraham lived that way. He lived in faith – and he died in faith. And now, Scripture invites us to do the same: To take heart, to look to Jesus, and to believe that even when we cannot yet see the full picture, God is still at work. Friends, the Light has come. The Kingdom is advancing. And one day, all of God’s promises will be fulfilled – completely and forever. So, let’s ground our hope not in our circumstances but in a Person – the One who is sovereignly and faithfully writing our story. He will bring all things together for the good of those who love Him – and He will finish what He has started.
CONCLUSION
Lighthouse family, God assures us that even when chapters come to an end, His promises do not. Knowing He has been faithful in our past, He will be faithful in what lies ahead. So, let’s step forward not in fear, but in hope – resting in Him.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1) How does Abraham’s expanded family help us better understand God’s promise in Genesis 17 to make him a “father of many nations”? Why do you think it’s often easier to see God’s faithfulness in hindsight than in the moment? As you look back on this past year, where can you now see God’s faithfulness that you couldn’t see at the time?
2) How does verse 11 (“After Abraham’s death, God blessed Isaac”) shape our understanding of God’s work beyond one person’s life? Why do we tend to avoid thinking seriously about our mortality? How does remembering that our days are numbered bring clarity rather than fear?
3) Why do you think Genesis ends Abraham’s story by turning our attention to Ishmael and his descendants? How does Isaiah 60 and its fulfillment in Revelation 21 shape our understanding of God’s mission to the nations? What does it mean for you personally to live “between promise and fulfillment”? How does the certainty of Christ’s return give you strength to persevere today?
