Answer
The Cave of Machpelah, also known as the Cave of the Patriarchs, is situated near the ancient city of Hebron in Israel. It serves as the final resting place for Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, as well as Jacob and Leah. During his time in Canaan, Abraham acquired a burial site for his deceased wife, Sarah. The land he purchased had previously belonged to a Hittite named Ephron. “So Ephron’s field in Machpelah near Mamre—both the field and the cave within it, and all the trees within the borders of the field—was deeded to Abraham as his property” (Genesis 23:17-18). Subsequently, Abraham’s sons laid him to rest in the same location (Genesis 25:9-10), and Jacob and Esau interred Isaac in the Cave of Machpelah as per his wishes. Moreover, while in Egypt, Jacob instructed his sons to bury him in Canaan on the family’s land: “Bury me with my fathers in the cave in the field of Ephron the Hittite, the cave in the field of Machpelah, near Mamre in Canaan, which Abraham bought along with the field as a burial place from Ephron the Hittite. There Abraham and his wife Sarah were buried, there Isaac and his wife Rebekah were buried, and there I buried Leah. The field and the cave in it were bought from the Hittites” (Genesis 49:29-32).
Presently, the Cave of Machpelah is not accessible, but the area above it is occupied by a large mosque known as the Ibrahimi Mosque or alternatively, the Sanctuary of Abraham. This location holds religious significance for both Muslims and Jews, with each group having separate and limited access to the site.
For Christians today, the Cave of Machpelah holds no significant religious importance other than being of historical interest. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and their wives are not located at Machpelah but are believed to be in heaven.In the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Messiah whom they awaited with faith and anticipation. God is “not the God of the dead, but of the living” «He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err. », (Mark 12:27). The fact that all the patriarchs of Israel desired to be buried in Canaan shows their faith in God’s promise to give the land of Canaan to their family. Their faith, rather than their tomb, is the most fitting monument for Christians.
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