Genesis 20:8-13 NLT, ‘Abimelech got up early the next morning and quickly called all his servants together. When he told them what had happened, his men were terrified. Then Abimelech called for Abraham. “What have you done to us?” he demanded. “What crime have I committed that deserves treatment like this, making me and my kingdom guilty of this great sin? No one should ever do what you have done! Whatever possessed you to do such a thing?” Abraham replied, “I thought, ‘This is a godless place. They will want my wife and will kill me to get her.’ And she really is my sister, for we both have the same father, but different mothers. And I married her. When God called me to leave my father’s home and to travel from place to place, I told her, ‘Do me a favor. Wherever we go, tell the people that I am your brother.’”’
Scared out of his mind, Abimelech scurried out of bed and summoned his men. Trembling, he told them about his conversation with God. Scared out of their minds, the king’s men agree with Abimelech to resolve the problem as quickly and as peacefully as possible.
Distressed, Abimelech asked Abraham why did he lie to him. “Who does that? Who lies to the king about his wife being his sister? Because of your lie,
A-BRA-HAM, I am in trouble with God!”
Again, Abraham had the same answer he had in Genesis 12. “Look King Abimelech, this is a godless place. You will want my wife and will kill me to get her. Who does that? Besides, it’s not a total lie, we are half siblings.”
One can only imagine the dumbfounded look on Abimelech’s face over Abraham’s explanation. I can hear him thinking, “As if it mattered she’s your half sister, she’s still your wife!.”
One can almost hear the irritation in Abraham’s voice. I can hear him thinking, “What did he expect me to do?”
King Abimelech did not put himself in Abraham’s and Sarah’s shoes. It didn’t matter to him about how his decisions affected others as long as he got his way. Abimelech did not consider that he was the reason Abraham and Sarah lied.
Once again, as in Genesis 12, Abraham was self preserving and valued his life above everyone else's. He put himself first over Sarah, King Abimelech, and the people of Gerar. Abraham did not consider how his decisions affected others.
All the parties concerned lacked empathy for others. They were unable to put themselves in someone else's shoes.
The only party Who had complete insight and an unselfish motive was God! God, Himself, stepped into a volatile situation and got involved on behalf of all parties. God intervened to protect Abimelech and his kingdom, kept Abraham from getting killed, and safeguarded Sarah from getting pregnant by Abimelech.
What kind of God does that? The God of Abraham does that! Our God saved the day!
What lesson did King Abimelech, Abraham, and Sarah learn?
God had everyone’s best interest in mind. God’s beautiful example taught mortal men to be insightful and consider how their motives and actions affected others. You will find out later that Abraham and Sarah never lied to anyone else again. Also, King Abimelech showed favor towards Abraham later in his life.
Romans 2:4 NLT, “Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?”
Pray It:
Father, You are so wonderfully kind. I thank You for your involvement in my life. I know that You wish to keep everyone from safe from destruction. Your patience means the world to me. I will follow Your example and be aware of how my motives, feelings, and actions affect others. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Say It:
God is patient.
I am patient.
I am aware of how my motives, feelings, and actions affect others.
I will not be self preserving.
I will do what is right in God’s sight.
I trust God to intervene and keep all parties safe from destruction.
Do It:
Memorize Romans 2:4.
Distressed, Abimelech asked Abraham why did he lie to him. “Who does that? Who lies to the king about his wife being his sister? Because of your lie,
A-BRA-HAM, I am in trouble with God!”
Again, Abraham had the same answer he had in Genesis 12. “Look King Abimelech, this is a godless place. You will want my wife and will kill me to get her. Who does that? Besides, it’s not a total lie, we are half siblings.”
One can only imagine the dumbfounded look on Abimelech’s face over Abraham’s explanation. I can hear him thinking, “As if it mattered she’s your half sister, she’s still your wife!.”
One can almost hear the irritation in Abraham’s voice. I can hear him thinking, “What did he expect me to do?”
King Abimelech did not put himself in Abraham’s and Sarah’s shoes. It didn’t matter to him about how his decisions affected others as long as he got his way. Abimelech did not consider that he was the reason Abraham and Sarah lied.
Once again, as in Genesis 12, Abraham was self preserving and valued his life above everyone else's. He put himself first over Sarah, King Abimelech, and the people of Gerar. Abraham did not consider how his decisions affected others.
All the parties concerned lacked empathy for others. They were unable to put themselves in someone else's shoes.
The only party Who had complete insight and an unselfish motive was God! God, Himself, stepped into a volatile situation and got involved on behalf of all parties. God intervened to protect Abimelech and his kingdom, kept Abraham from getting killed, and safeguarded Sarah from getting pregnant by Abimelech.
What kind of God does that? The God of Abraham does that! Our God saved the day!
What lesson did King Abimelech, Abraham, and Sarah learn?
God had everyone’s best interest in mind. God’s beautiful example taught mortal men to be insightful and consider how their motives and actions affected others. You will find out later that Abraham and Sarah never lied to anyone else again. Also, King Abimelech showed favor towards Abraham later in his life.
Romans 2:4 NLT, “Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?”
Pray It:
Father, You are so wonderfully kind. I thank You for your involvement in my life. I know that You wish to keep everyone from safe from destruction. Your patience means the world to me. I will follow Your example and be aware of how my motives, feelings, and actions affect others. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Say It:
God is patient.
I am patient.
I am aware of how my motives, feelings, and actions affect others.
I will not be self preserving.
I will do what is right in God’s sight.
I trust God to intervene and keep all parties safe from destruction.
Do It:
Memorize Romans 2:4.
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