Genesis 20:1-18 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs,
Today’s passage is Genesis 20:1-18. Let’s go!
Genesis 20:1-18 (NIV)
1 Now Abraham moved on from there into the region of the Negev and lived between Kadesh and Shur. For a while he stayed in Gerar,
2 and there Abraham said of his wife Sarah, “She is my sister.” Then Abimelech king of Gerar sent for Sarah and took her.
3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream one night and said to him, “You are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken; she is a married woman.”
4 Now Abimelech had not gone near her, so he said, “Lord, will you destroy an innocent nation?
5 Did he not say to me, ‘She is my sister,’ and didn’t she also say, ‘He is my brother’? I have done this with a clear conscience and clean hands.”
6 Then God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know you did this with a clear conscience, and so I have kept you from sinning against me. That is why I did not let you touch her.
7 Now return the man’s wife, for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you will live. But if you do not return her, you may be sure that you and all yours will die.”
8 Early the next morning Abimelech summoned all his officials, and when he told them all that had happened, they were very much afraid.
9 Then Abimelech called Abraham in and said, “What have you done to us? How have I wronged you that you have brought such great guilt upon me and my kingdom? You have done things to me that should not be done.”
10 And Abimelech asked Abraham, “What was your reason for doing this?”
11 Abraham replied, “I said to myself, ‘There is surely no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.’
12 Besides, she really is my sister, the daughter of my father though not of my mother; and she became my wife.
13 And when God had me wander from my father’s household, I said to her, ‘This is how you can show your love to me: Everywhere we go, say of me, “He is my brother.”‘”
14 Then Abimelech brought sheep and cattle and male and female slaves and gave them to Abraham, and he returned Sarah his wife to him.
15 And Abimelech said, “My land is before you; live wherever you like.”
16 To Sarah he said, “I am giving your brother a thousand shekels of silver. This is to cover the offense against you before all who are with you; you are completely vindicated.”
17 Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, his wife and his slave girls so they could have children again,
18 for the LORD had closed up every womb in Abimelech’s household because of Abraham’s wife Sarah.
On verses 1-18: Here once again we see the tremendous mercy and grace God showed to Abraham even after Abraham repeats in the land of Gerar the same fearful behavior he became famous for in Egypt (Genesis 12:10-20). Just as he did to Pharaoh in Egypt, Abraham hides from Abimelech king of Gerar the fact that Abraham and Sarah are married. Instead Abraham tells Abimelech that he and Sarah are only brother and sister. His motive is the same as in Egypt: he feared that his life would be in danger if people found out he was married to Sarah. Sarah is brought into Abimelech’s home as a concubine, but before Abimelech can touch Sarah, Abimelech is warned by God in a dream that Sarah is married.
By the way, I find it incredible that Abimelech finds Sarah, who is now about 90 years old, attractive enough to join his harem. I believe this is a testament to how God renews the youth of those who trust in Him (Psalm 103:5). Some scholars speculate that perhaps Abimelech took Sarah into his home because Abimelech wanted to establish an economic partnership with Abraham. In any event, once Abimelech hears from Abraham himself that he and Sarah are married, Abimelech returns Sarah untouched to Abraham. Abimelech even gives Abraham and Sarah land and material possessions to make up for any dishonour he unwittingly caused them. In return, as per God’s command and likely pursuant to Abimelech’s request, Abraham prays for Abimelech, after which Abimelech and all the women in his household are healed of barrenness.
This story shows us that the reason God would bless and use Abraham’s life has more to do with God’s mercy, grace and sovereign choosing than with Abraham’s own faithfulness. Abraham was ready to jeopardize God’s entire plan for his and Sarah’s future by letting Sarah sleep with Abimelech. Yet God made sure that wouldn’t happen. God was more careful about protecting His plan for Abraham than Abraham was.
What can we learn from this? From these verses I learn a few lessons:
First, even when we, like Abraham, persist in the same sinful or fearful ways, God’s love for us and His mercy toward us persist even more. That’s the incredible mercy and grace of God for our lives.
Second, it is a shame when the people of God (in this case Abraham) act less honorably than the people of the world (in this case, Abimelech). This should not be. As believers in the Lord we should be setting a better example for the world (Matthew 5:11-13; 1 Peter 2:12). God’s grace toward us should spur us on to live more honorably than the world around us. But when that doesn’t happen, when we act as poorly as unbelievers, let it be a reminder that God’s grace and mercy are far beyond all we could ask for or imagine. May this story be for us a reminder that our status as God’s children, our calling as His priests and the special spiritual blessings God gives to us as Christians are a gift of God’s undeserved grace.
Third, just as Abimelech was willing to receive prayer from Abraham, so may we be humble enough to receive prayer from people who are broken and less than perfect, recognizing that we too are broken and in need of God’s mercy, and that God specializes in working His perfect power through imperfect people.
Heavenly Father, thank You that, like Abraham, though I repeat the same sin over and over again, You show me mercy over and over again, and continue to bless me and even use me to be a blessing to others despite my brokenness. I praise You for being such a patient, loving, and merciful God. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
