In Chapter 23, Sarah dies, and Abraham negotiates with the Hittites place to bury her, a reminder that Abraham is an alien in a foreign land.  As seems to be the case in all of Abraham’s negotiations, he appears to be wealthy and is treated deferentially.  

He buys a cave and plot of land that faces Mamre (Hebron).  Keen readers will recall that Abram and Sarai are visited by God there, at the Oaks of Mamre.

In Chapter 24, Abraham resolves to find a wife for Isaac, but he is too old for this task, so gives it to a trusted servant, with instructions to go back to his homeland to find a wife. In extracting an oath from his servant, Abraham remembers God’s covenant with him.  His purpose in sending the servant away to find a wife is in honor of the covenant. 

There is concern—this part of the story is cut out of the appointed reading—that the woman found and her family will required Isaac to come to them to get her, or to live there with them. Abraham rejects this concern, saying that under no circumstances will Isaac leave his home to get a wife.