Genesis 20:1-18

How do you think Abraham felt in this moment? He had just met with God, then he woke up, walked out of his tent, turned toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and all he saw was smoke. He had bargained with God, the wager was lost, the city destroyed, and he had no idea regarding the well being of Lot. Not only that, but he still has God’s promise in the back of his mind. Do you think Abraham fully trusted God now?

For whatever reason Abraham back all of his belongings and went on a journey. He journeyed about 50 miles south into the Negeb which itself means south. Abraham yet again tells of Sarah being his sister, which is not a total lie but still not the entire truth…which is a lie. He spoke of her as his sister, the countrymen took her as his sister, and just like the Egyptians they told their king. The king took Sarah into his harem of women because of her great beauty.

To me it appears that this king knows something of God. Similar with the pharoah, God appeared to him in a dream threatening his life if he did not return Sarah untouched, rather than plaguing his house with disease like in Egypt. God was actively killing Abimelech. He was all but dead when God visited his dreams, and He promised to finish the job if Sarah was not promptly and properly returned to Abraham. Abimelech begged and wagered with God to spare his life. He explained that he was innocent and he had no idea that Sarah was wed to Abraham. Abimelech asked God to search his inner heart, his thoughts and intentions. They were justified because of Abraham’s cover up.

Think of what would have happened if Abimelech had touched Sarah. What if it was with him that she had a child. What would that have done to God’s covenant? It would have destroyed it. Who do you think would have been wronged the most in Abimelech sleeping with Sarah? Her? Abraham? God said that it was Him. This is why He kept Abimelech from sinning against Him. In a marriage covenant we are bound together in God. God established marriage, and it is against Him that we sin when we decide to make errors in our marriage.

Abimelech calls Abraham and asks him “what did I ever do to you?” Nothing had been done poorly to Abraham, and the king asks “Is wife stealing the kind of behavior you see around here?” Abraham responded that he had thought they were godless people, and he was wrong. He said that Sarah was his half sister, but she was his whole wife, and he lied. He fell back on his old schemes of protection rather than trusting in God for assurance of safety. He was wrong for doing that as well. If God promised him a son, and he did not have one yet, then Abraham was no where near dying. It is hard to make a nation out of someone when they are dead. God always makes good on His promises.

One of God’s promises was that Abraham would be blessed everywhere he went. I am not sure why the kings gave him all the cattle that they did, but Abraham was given an outrageous amount of cattle by both Pharaoh and Abimelech. Abimelech gave Abraham silver in order to assure everyone involved that she was not touched and that she would not cause any trouble for him. Then Abraham was given the opportunity live there in the land harassment free. Once again blessing Abraham, and confirming God’s promise.

In the story of Abimelech and Abraham, we are sadly encouraged to follow the steps of a pagan rather than that of our God fearing forefather. But Abimelech did make an honest mistake, and he tried to make it right, which is what we should strive to do as well. And remember that if God is for us, no one can be against us. Not even Pharaoh’s or kings. God will always watch over His children, and He will always see that His promises are fulfilled.