Contributor: Adewale Abiona
INTRODUCTION
In last week’s study we saw the destruction of an abominable nation where the Lord could not find ten good people, Gen.18: 32b. In Chapter 19, justice was served, and the mercy of God was displayed because of Abraham’s relationship with God. In conclusion of last week study, we were charged to take sin seriously and know that God’s justice may be delayed, but certain.
In today’s study of Genesis 20, we will examine God's protection in the case of Sarah the mother of the promised son and how lack of truth from Abraham almost put in jeopardy the promise of God regarding Isaac.
The Lack of Truth (Verses 1-2)
At the brink of the fulfilment of the promise, Abraham, for his own selfish interest and a moment of fear for his own life, was not totally honest about the identity of his wife Sarah.
When he arrived in the city of Gerar, he was afraid of the people there, thinking in his mind they do not appear to be godly, and I may suffer harm because of my wife Sarah and her beauty. For this reason, he told the people that Sarah was his sister.
In today’s world, we hear what is referred to as “white lies”, an act of deceit where people fail to be honest, refusing to shed light on a matter, and leaving it for others to guess what the truth is. Abraham’s action gave Abimelech a false impression about the identity of Sarah.
As believers, Matthew 5:37 tells us “But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one” and 1 Thessalonians 5:22 says “Abstain from every form of evil”
Abraham’s action was contrary to the word God spoke to him in Genesis 17:15-16. God said to Abraham, “I will give Sarai, your wife, a new name. Her new name will be Sarah. I will bless her. I will give her a son, and you will be the father. She will be the mother of many new nations. Kings of nations will come from her.”
The lack of truth has caused many issues in marriages today and selfishness is at the root of it. Your marriage is not all about you, God has a purpose for every marriage, and we must consider that when spouses relate with each other. Do not do anything that will destroy your marriage. Bring all your marriage decisions in line with God’s plan and agenda. Always be truthful and let your motives be pure.
A few more verses in Genesis 17 reveal the mind of Abraham
"17 Abraham bowed his face to the ground to show he respected God. But he laughed and said to himself, “I am 100 years old. I cannot have a son, and Sarah is 90 years old. She cannot have a child.” 18 Then Abraham said to God, “I hope Ishmael will live and serve you.” 19 God said, “No, I said that your wife Sarah will have a son. You will name him Isaac. I will make my agreement with him that will continue forever with all his descendants. (response to vs 17) 20 “You mentioned Ishmael, and I heard you. I will bless him, and he will have many children. He will be the father of twelve great leaders. His family will become a great nation. 21 But I will make my agreement with Isaac, the son who Sarah will have. He will be born at this same time next year.” (response to vs 19)
Abraham appeared to have been comforted by the birth of Ishmael and no longer sought Sarah’s interest or the fulfilment of God’s promise to him and his wife. It looked like he wanted God to change the promise from soon to be Sarah’s son to already born Hagar’s son
God is not going to break His covenant to please you or change His commandment because of your circumstance. We are the ones to change and align ourselves to His perfect will Romans 12:2 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
God’s Protection of the Promise Verse 3-6
Just as the Lord protected Mary from shame by speaking to Joseph against his decision to put Mary away, in same manner, God had to intervene in the mess Abraham created by not being truthful. God spoke to Abimelech in a dream and said, “You will die. The woman you took is married.” Vs 3
God had already been ahead in Abraham’s gamble with his marriage to Sarah. God had prevented Abimelech from having carnal knowledge of Abraham’s wife. Vs 6
The reason you did not fall for that sin or trick is not because of your innocence or that you didn’t know it was a sin. It is because of His love, and that He did not want you to be destroyed. John 10:10 made it very clear the assignment of the devil. This is why he tricks people in various ways, to prevent them from fulfilling destiny. In the same verse we saw that God’s plan was to protect that same destiny. Lamentations 3:22 - Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
Verse 8-13 – Abraham tries to justify his untruthfulness
9 Then Abimelech called Abraham and said to him, “Why have you done this to us? What wrong did I do to you? Why did you lie and say that she was your sister? You brought great trouble to my kingdom. You should not have done this to me. 10 What were you afraid of? Why did you do this to me?” 11 Then Abraham said, “I thought no one in this place respected God. I thought someone would kill me to get Sarah. 12 She is my wife, but she is also my sister. She is the daughter of my father but not the daughter of my mother. 13 God led me away from my father’s house. He led me to wander to many different places. When that happened, I told Sarah, ‘Do something for me. Wherever we go, tell people you are my sister.’”
What is your excuse for not been truthful?
Nothing can be used to justify the wrong before God. The point that she was originally his half-sister is not acceptable ground. He also attempted to blame it on God for sending him to different places. I wonder if he would have said Sarah was his sister if Hagar and Ishmael were not in the picture.
Abimelech also thought he was innocent for coveting another man’s wife or wanting to use his position to take a woman without following the normal process, God closed all the wombs of the women in his house.
David’s case with Bathsheba did not go unpunished. 2 Samuel 11-12
Your lies, deceit and wrong motives will not go undetected and unpunished. Hebrews 4:12 - the Word of God is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Proverbs 12:19 - The truthful lip shall be established forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
Verses 7, 14-16
God commanded Abimelech to restore to Abraham his wife in verse 7
Let’s see some of the Key ingredients in that instruction and how Abimelech obeyed God The Lord told him:
• Abraham is a prophet.
• He will pray for you, and you will live.
• But if you don’t give Sarah back to him, I promise that you will die.
• And all your family will die with you.”
Abimelech’s actions following God’s rebuke
• Abimelech gave Sarah back to Abraham
• Abimelech also gave Abraham some sheep, cattle, and slaves.
• Abimelech said, “Look all around you. This is my land. You may live any place you want.”
• Abimelech said to Sarah, “I gave your brother Abraham (sarcasm) 1000 pieces of silver
• I did this to show that I am very sorry. I want everyone to see that I did the right thing.”
Verse 17-18
17 So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children. 18 For the Lord had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham's wife.
CONCLUSION
One of the things that we learn is that if God is the one leading and directing you, He will surely protect you. Just remain faithful and truthful to His instruction. Don’t try to figure it out or think some areas of that journey are for you to handle. He knows it all and He’s all over it, including those tiny little details. Jeremiah 32:27 - “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?
What God is set to do, He will do and if that includes Him stepping in, He will, not because of you but for His own name and glorification.
Do not entertain fear. Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ Your action or inaction will only cost you, not Him. Failure to wait on God’s time for the promise, brought Abraham emotional pain when he had to let go of Ishmael. Genesis 21:10-11.
What issue(s) have you created in your life and in your marriage?
Ask the Lord to help, ask in to step in and deliver you now.
Promise that you will always be truthful to Him, yourself and in all circumstances.
Ask Him to divinely intervene and protect your marriage, your children and household from the plan of the enemy.
