Repeating Mistakes- Genesis 20

One of the most remarkable aspects of the Bible is the inclusion of the faults of the heroes and heroines of the faith. Adam ate the fruit. Abraham lies. Moses murders. David commits adultery. Hezekiah is proud. Peter denies Christ. All of these and more are included in God’s Word. One of the reasons, as we learn from Romans 15:4 is that God provided those details for “our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.”

We have hope when we read about the mistakes, failures, and sins of some of God’s choicest servants. We have even more hope when we occasionally read about repeated mistakes. I say more hope because, if you are like me, there are some sins/mistakes you make more than once. We call them “besetting sins,” based off Hebrews 12:1 where the author writes, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us.”

I saw it is remarkable for two reasons. One reason is that faults are included. When often take a whitewashed approach to the past. The history of our own nation is not spotless, but at times we can be guilty of viewing it in this way. The Scriptures, though, do not share this flaw. God presents human beings as they truly are.

Second, it is remarkable because it is so encouraging. If you read through Hebrews 11, specifically verses 8-19, you get the idea that Abraham was an incredible man. And he was. But he was also a man, a flawed human being who, like us, repeated mistakes. Genesis chapter 20 is a chapter that presents this subject to our attention.

Our summary of this chapter, and the outline as well, is

Repeating Mistakes, though not excusable, are nevertheless common. Though common, they affect other people—including unbelievers. And though affecting others, they ultimately demean God’s glory.

I. Repeating Mistakes, though not excusable, are nevertheless common- 20:1-2 (cf. Rom. 7:13-23)

We see a very similar event to 12:10-20, where through a famine Abram was led to move to Egypt. Here, we receive no background information. Sodom, Gomorrah, and the surrounding cities were all just destroy. Perhaps he was seeking refuge, we simply do not know. All we do know is that Abraham is now journeying between Kadesh and Shur in a place known as Gerar.

The mistake, however, was not leaving per se, but it was his lie in 20:2. While he warned Sarai of the possibility of his demise (12:10-20), and whereas the princes of Pharaoh told the king about Sarai’s beauty, in 20:2 it simply states “Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah.”

II. Repeating Mistakes, though common, affect other people—including unbelievers- 20:3-8 (cf. Gen. 38, Jonah 1:13-16)

III. Repeating Mistakes, though affecting other people, ultimately demeans God’s Glory- 20:4, 11, 17-18 (cf. Lev. 19:12)

How to Avoid Repeating Mistakes

Find out the specific sin that repeated- for Abraham it was fear

Stop fearing- avoid the situation or circumstance as much as possible

Think about God- replace the fear with faith with God’s Word