Genesis 20:1-18
Q.1. Why did Abraham not tell King Abimelech that Sarah was his wife? How did his action risk the Covenant he had with God? How did God intervene? – (Gen.20:1-7 c.f. Gen.17:15-19)
It is remarkable that Abraham made such a risky move, as to leave Ur of the Chaldean and Haran, because here he showed that he was dominated by the fear of man. Perhaps this accentuates the faith of Abraham. He had left the hill country of Mamre (Hebron) to dwell in the coastal region of Gerar, to prepare for the birth of Sarah’s first son. This was in the kingdom belonging to Abimelech, who soon became attracted to Sarah. History was sadly repeating itself. (Gen.20:2 c.f. Gen.12:11-15). If Abraham had mistaken God’s covenant promises previously, he could no longer use this excuse, since God had been very specific about the Covenant blessings coming through a son born to Sarah. He had even specified the name Isaac was to have. [Gen.17:15-19). God promised him a son– at this season next year (Gen.17:21). Abraham’s fears and actions jeopardized the fulfilment of this Covenant promise, and showed that he was not at that time, taking God at His word. However, God in His infinite grace, intervened dramatically through a dream. In Abimelech’s nightmare, God threatened him and his subjects with a death sentence, if he did not restore Sarah to Abraham. God, in grace, provided Abraham with a way of escape (Gen.20:3-7). God had also visited Abimelech’s wives and maids with barrenness. Since Abraham was a prophet, he would pray for their healing (Gen.20:7 & 17-18). The power of God is greater than the weakness of man. Here He protected His Covenant promises, and as He told Abimelech – I also kept you from sinning against Me; therefore I did not let you touch her (Gen.20:6 c.f. Rom.5:20). It would have been a sin against God, for Abimelech to participate in this threat against God’s covenant with Abraham.
Q.2. How did Abimelech respond to his dream? How did Abraham try to justify his deception? How did God reward Abimelech’s contrition? What do we learn about God’s grace to us? – (Gen.20:8-18)
Abimelech was significantly impacted. He rose early, called all his servants, and shared his dream from God. They were all similarly frightened. Abimelech then called Abraham and accused him of treachery. Abraham explained that he had feared that – … there is no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife (Gen.20:11). He further excused his deception, by saying – … she actually is my sister, the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother, and she became my wife … and … I said to her, `This is the kindness which you will show to me: everywhere we go, say of me, “He is my brother (Gen.20:12-13). Contrary to Abraham’s misgivings, Abimelech had enough fear of God, that he restored Sarah to Abraham, and generously gave him a thousand pieces of silver, and servants and livestock (Gen.20:14-26). He also offered terms of peace, and safe passage to Abraham. In turn, Abraham prayed for the fruitfulness of Abimelech’s wives and maidens – … and God healed Abimelech and his wife and his maids, so that they bore children (Gen.20:17). Abraham’s actions had been totally unacceptable. We learn that the highly acclaimed ‘father of faith’ was a sinner, as is every other person. This event also showed that God is at pains to keep His promises against all odds, and that He has the capacity to make good on His promises, in spite of our failure. As the apostle Paul wrote – but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more (Rom.5:20 c.f. Mic.7:18-20). What an amazing God we have.