This is the sum of the years of Abraham’s life which he lived: one hundred and seventy-five years. Then Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people. (Genesis 25:7-8)

An Old Man Full Of Years

Few Bible characters stand out in scripture as Abraham. The genesis of Israel began with Abraham, who began the promises made by God and fulfilled through Jesus, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham. Through the lineage of Abraham, God preserved the Seed to be realized in Jesus. The spiritual promises of eternal salvation, begun with Abraham, were completed in Jesus. Abraham’s faith exemplifies the character of faithfulness to the Lord, whether under the Law of Moses or not. Jesus Christ brings Gentiles and Jews together as the fulfillment of the seed promise made in the Garden of Eden.

God called Abraham when he was 75, telling him to go to a land that He would show him. Abraham left without knowing where he was going. It was not crucial for Abraham to inquire of the Lord because he trusted completely in the word of God. God promised Abraham a son, and at the age of 100, Isaac was born. Later, God told Abraham to offer his only begotten son as a burnt offering. Again, Abraham did not hesitate, rising early in the morning to carry out the task given him by the Lord. The character of Abraham was one of complete trust and faith in God’s plan. He was not a perfect man, sometimes fearing what the world might do to him. Abraham grew in his faith daily to become one of the great examples of godliness.

At the end of life, what is said of one’s character speaks volumes to the measure of a man. Some men die with a questionable past. There are those remembered for ungodliness, cruelty, and shame. Some men die with notable lives, giving to others and leaving a mark on society that is remembered in the annals of history. And then there is Abraham. His epitaph was a simple gesture by the Holy Spirit in recognition of someone who gave their life wholly to the Lord’s purpose. No fanfare. Abraham did not have monuments built in his memory. He lived 175 years, breathed his last, and died in a good old age.

The Holy Spirit says that Abraham was an old man, and full of years. What better words can sum up the life of a godly man of God? He was blessed with many years beyond the normal. His years were complete. He had lived a full life of devotion to God. As death approached, Abraham was content with his legacy, which brought honor to God. Abraham did not live to make a name for himself. His life was dedicated to the glory of God, to be remembered in the pages of God’s word. History would not have remembered Abraham without the Bible. He was a great man, but not in the eyes of the world. That was not what he lived for. He served God, looking for a city with foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

Abraham breathed his last. The language of the Holy Spirit is beautiful. Abraham was gathered to his people. He went to his long home. A man of God laid down the armor of righteousness and rested in the bosom of eternal glory. In a poignant depiction of eternal rest, Jesus describes the blessing of eternal salvation as the “bosom of Abraham.” The son of Terah died an old man, full of years, looking at life with the joy found in walking in the footsteps of God’s word. What does it profit someone if they gain the whole world and die in fear and misery? Only in Jesus Christ can a man die with the peace of Abraham.