And Abraham bowed down himself before the people of the land.
The bowing took place as Abraham negotiated with the sons of Heth, the Hittites, to buy a cave as a burial place for his beloved Sarah. That cave was Machpelah at Hebron, the burial place of the patriarchs.
Although Canaan had been promised to him, he owned no land there and had to purchase a place in which to bury Sarah. His lack of present possessions did not cancel his future hope, for he looked beyond to immortal life and to the purified earth as his lasting home.
In bowing before the people of the land he treated them with respectful courtesy even while grieving and negotiating for the grave. He did so though he was God's nobleman, showing the courtesy due from one person to another. His act was true courtesy in action, the conduct of a true gentleman and a Christian gentleman who knows what respect is owed between persons.
The bowing took place as Abraham negotiated with the sons of Heth, the Hittites, to buy a cave as a burial place for his beloved Sarah. That cave was Machpelah at Hebron, the burial place of the patriarchs.
Although Canaan had been promised to him, he owned no land there and had to purchase a place in which to bury Sarah. His lack of present possessions did not cancel his future hope, for he looked beyond to immortal life and to the purified earth as his lasting home.
In bowing before the people of the land he treated them with respectful courtesy even while grieving and negotiating for the grave. He did so though he was God's nobleman, showing the courtesy due from one person to another. His act was true courtesy in action, the conduct of a true gentleman and a Christian gentleman who knows what respect is owed between persons.