November 6, Genesis 20
And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, "She is my sister." - Genesis 20:2
The Bible is bluntly honest about the failures and weaknesses of the greatest servants of God. So this embarrassing account of Abraham’s misadventure in Gerar reminds us of several ideas we all need to remember.
In this story, the father of the faithful is driven, not by his faith, but by his fear. A very short time had passed since the Lord had reaffirmed the covenant promises to Abraham and Sarah. But Abraham was still so afraid when he traveled among the people of the land that he lied about the exact nature of his relationship with Sarah. With God's reassuring words still fresh in his mind, Abraham went back to the old pattern of dishonesty. He was afraid that someone would kill him to take his wife.
Sinful behavior is often habitual. If we do something wrong until we get used to doing it, it is easy to follow the familiar pattern. We know Abraham and Sarah had already been caught at this once before in Egypt. Here we not only see them repeating the pattern, but Abraham admits that it had been their practice at many places they had visited along the way: "And when God caused me to wander from my father's house, I said to her, 'This is the kindness you must do to me: and every place to which we come, say of me, He is my brother" (Verse 13). Was Sarah really still so beautiful (at age 90) that this was a legitimate threat?
Sin usually involves and causes consequences beyond ourselves. We just read how Abraham coached Sarah to hide the relevant truth behind a half-truth. It put her in jeopardy at least twice we know about, and maybe many other times as well. Abimelech and his household suffered from their sinful deception, too. None of the women had been able to conceive during the time Sarah was with Abimelech.
Here's a reminder that God had dealings with other people in addition to Abraham and his descendants. He went to Abimelech in a dream. He threatened and warned him.
Abimelech was not entirely ignorant of Abraham's God; he called him "Lord" as he protested his innocence about the matter. But Abraham had a special relationship with God that others didn't share. Here's the first time the word "prophet" is used in Scripture. Abraham was a prophet to Abimelech. God told the frightened Philistine that Abraham would pray for him and he would live.
This story reminds us that God works through imperfect people to accomplish his will. The sinless Savior of the world would one day be born from Abraham's descendants. But Abraham was not sinless and could not save himself or others. He knew God and had a close relationship with him. But he was still subject to temptation, fear and doubt.
This incident should remind us all that truth is truth, and half-truth is not really the truth. How many times have we succumbed to the same temptation as Abraham did in this case? Most of us have probably told some partial truth, omitting the pertinent and convicting part to avoid pain or embarrassment. We can imagine the shame Abraham felt because we've felt it. We're far from alone in the guilt of not always being honest about what we say. We may soften it by saying we were "selective" about what we told. We may insist that what we told was true, even if it was not the pertinent truth that would have caused us trouble or embarrassment.
Abraham’s deception doesn't establish a precedent for our own half-truths to be acceptable. If we do wrong when our faith is weak and our fear is strong, it’s good to know God does not discard us. His plan and purpose rolls on. If we humble ourselves before him and acknowledge our sin, he will forgive us and bless us.
We shouldn't be glad that Abraham failed in this way. But we can be glad the record of it is here in this chapter to teach and encourage us.
Copyright © 2021 by Michael B. McElroy. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Today in God's Word—November 2024
East Tallassee Church of Christ
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