Kelly - Genesis 23

I recognize that today's chapter is one of deep sorrow - but for some reason it read more like a comedy routine to me.

"I insist, take a tomb"
"No, I insist, let me pay for it"
"No, I insist, take it!"
"No, I insist, here - take 400 sheckels"

Sarah has died at the age of 127. I looked back and could find no other place that mentioned Sarah's exact age (except that she was "past the age of childbearing"). In ch. 22 Isaac seemed quite young, and in ch. 24 he is looking for a wife. So I'm not sure what to make of Isaac's age at the death of his mother.

What's probably more telling, though, is my interest in the matter. I once had a man tell me that his greatest fear was experiencing a long and painful death. At that time, my children were aged 1 and 4 - and I spent a good deal of time talking with a friend over that confidence of his. The truth was, I discovered, that my greatest fear about death has nothing to do with how I will experience it. My greatest fears are about what my death will do to my children - at least while they're young.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of "the pill" - and having heard a story on the topic today on the radio - my mind is full of thoughts of motherhood and identity. Sarah's only real chance at being remembered was through her children. Abraham mourned his wife of many decades -the woman he had loved despite many years of childlessness. I find it strange that the Bible tells us nothing of Isaac's grief.