Genesis 20
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Read Chapter 20
How long had Abraham been near the Oaks of Mamre? ( ; )
24-25 years
Why do you think he chose now to move? What current events may be involved?
Speculations - Destruction of Sodom? Famine? Grazing needs?
Locate Abraham’s location in Mamre and where he went to between Kadesh and Shur, then in Gerar. What do you notice about this area?
Notice how near it is to Egypt, the last time he lied about his wife.
Notice how near it is to Egypt, the last time he lied about his wife.
Does this give you any further thoughts on why he moved here during this time?
Speculations (See “The Negev: Its Climates and Features)
What brought him to Egypt in the past? (12:10)
Famine
How long has it been since the incident in Egypt?
24-25 yrs
Who is Abimelech?
See handouts
Does it surprise you that God would come to Abimelech in a dream and he recognizes God?
Look back at . How does Pharoah come to understand what is happening?
It does not say. It seems to be a mystery.
Is it possible that Pharoah had a dream also?
It is possible that this story sheds more light on the first time this all happened.
Does it surprise you that Abraham would make the same deception twice? Why or why not? What do you think lead him to make this same choice a second time?
Abraham was young in his faith the first time. However, this time he has been walking with God for 20+ years. He has entered in a covenant with God and God has inserted His name into Abraham’s name. We tend to expect more of someone who is more established in their faith. Just having a new name does not always change our old nature. We are not perfect and we still sometimes act out of that old nature. It is what we do with it that changes.
In this case, there is no evidence that Abraham had repented of it the first time.
How do you think Abraham felt when he was confronted by Abimelech regarding his deception?
Embarrassed…foolish…afraid. Who do you think he was more fearful of; Abimelech or God?
Have you ever made the same poor decision twice or more?
How does this make you feel? Do you struggle with feelings of failure in your Christian walk when you do? Look at .
For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin.
For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate.
But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good.
So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.
For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not.
For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want.
But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.
Romans 7
How does Paul respond to this sense of failure? See . How does this make you feel?
Romans 7:24-25.
Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?
Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin.
We can be hard on ourselves when we fail. How do you respond when you see others fail?
Is this good or bad? What can you do about it?
What contributes to our making such mistakes more than once?
Fatigue. Emotional responses. Putting ourselves in place that cause us to have emotional responses. (Ex: Alcoholic going into a bar). Psychological due to past experiences. (People of abuse, etc…)
Psychological auto-pilot. A friend who had been seduced by an older man. Years later she sees him and he invites her to his house. She goes into auto-pilot and complies. Can these kinds of responses be broken? How?
What could we do differently to help prevent us from making the same mistakes or the same sins again?
#1 - Most key of all!!! Ask for God’s forgiveness. There is power when we are forgiven, but weakness if we have failed to confess and ask forgiveness from the past.
#2 - Pray for God’s strength and healing.
#3 - Find scriptures to memorize that give power against the particular sin.
#4 - Be alert not to put yourself in situations where you may be tempted.
#5 - Think through and take note of what actions or behaviors lead you to make this particular sin and avoid them. Create of list of ways you can avoid the situations in the future. (EX: Do not hang out with someone who leads you to be tempted. Do not go places where you will be tempted. If you cannot avoid the situation, arm yourself with rest and scriptures. Etc…)
What decision did Abraham make that may have placed him in such a vulnerable position that he felt he had to lie to get out of it?
He returned to a geographic area where he was at risk. He did not ask for God’s help or protection. Nothing indicates he sought God’s wisdom in traveling there.
What facts do you learn in this passage that gives more insight into the incident? ()
1 - Sarah really was Abraham’s sister, so he may have felt he was not lying.
2 - Abraham and Sarah had made an agreement ahead of time that they would do this to provide protection for Abraham. In a way, it was a pre-conditioned response based on past behavior.
Abimelech was the king of the Philistines. What characteristics do you see in him?
Abimelech was the king of the Philistines. What characteristics do you see in him?
He is used to getting what he wants.
He seems to recognize God and he evidently feel he can reason with God.
Abimelech declares his innocence and integrity. God acknowledges that this is true, but also states that this is due to His intervention which prevented Abimelech from doing wrong.
Abimelech obeys God. He also gives gifts to Abraham and makes a covenant with him
Do these characteristics surprise you? Why or why not?
Why did Abimelech give the gifts to Abraham even though he was the one who was lied to?
It is obvious that Abraham carries great favor with God. This could very well be a bribe to make Abraham happy and God happy. It may be a way to have Abraham leave without ill feelings or intent toward Abimelech.
How is God’s promise to bless those who bless Abraham and curse those who curse Abraham proven here?
“Now therefore, restore the man’s wife, for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you will live. But if you do not restore her, know that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours.”
What was Abraham jeopardizing with this sin?
God’s promises through the birth of his son Isaac.
Can we mess up God’s plans?
I do not believe we can mess up God’s plans, but we can jeopardize our part in them. There are still consequences to sin no matter what our situation. God can help us moving forward after we fail, but He does not remove the consequences.
Why did God intervene?
Why did God intervene?
God acted in grace protecting Abraham. Abraham did not intend evil in what he did. It was a poor decision. God protected Abraham only do to His mercy and faithfulness for the things He had promised Abraham.
Did Abraham deserve God’s intervention?
No, it was purely an act of God’s grace and mercy.
List what you learn about each of the following persons in this passage:
Abraham:
Sarah:
God:
What can we do to help prevent us from making the same sins repeatedly?
Are there areas in your life where you find you continue to sin? Take time to confess them and seek God’s help to prevent them. Create a list of actions you can take to try to prevent making those mistakes/sins.