Genesis 20:1-18
Abraham and his wife Sarah were perpetually on the move, heading toward God’s promise of an inheritance. Their journeys took them to Gerar which was a righteous nation, headed by King Abimelech. When they arrive, Abraham tells the king that Sarah is his sister, fearful that they would kill him and take her for their own if they thought that she was his wife. This rationale doesn’t make much sense. Wouldn’t her being his sister just free them to take her for themselves? This is precisely what happens as the king takes Sarah to join his harem.
During the night, the Lord visits Abimelech in a dream and warns him about laying a hand on Sarah. Abimelech is afraid and vows that he was innocent in the deed, thinking that Sarah was an available woman. I imagine that as the story of what happened was rehearsed in Abimelech’s mind he began to wonder if the Lord had come after the right man. Shouldn’t Abraham be visited by God for lying about his wife? Shouldn’t God have judgment and revenge on Abraham for loving his own life so much more than his wife’s?
It is not God that confronts Abraham either that night or the next morning; it is Abimelech. When he asks why Abraham would do such a thing, Abraham admits that he was scared for his own life. There is no deep spiritual answer, nor noble reason why he has lied. His sin is obvious, so surely his punishment will be swift.
This story is very important when it comes to understanding how God views covenant. God had cut covenant with Abraham back in chapter 15, but during that ceremony of covenant, God had put Abraham to sleep. By taking Abraham out of the ceremony, God Himself passed between the pieces of the covenant animals (Genesis 15:17), sealing the deal with Himself, so that Abraham would be incapable of breaking it. Now, there were no pre-conditions on Abraham’s part; God was obligated to make him the father of many nations, independent of his actions.
When Abraham lied to Abimelech about Sarah, he showed a lack of faith, a presence of self-love and a serious need for affection towards his wife; yet in all of these things, God never curses Abraham. Abimelech, who has done nothing wrong, faces the brunt of God’s wrath, while Abraham sleeps like a baby through the night. Is God condoning lying by not cursing Abraham? No way; instead He is honoring covenant by not cursing Abraham. You see, covenant is more important to God than anything else.
Jesus and the Father cut a covenant at Calvary, and you and I were asleep so to speak. Therefore, when we accept the price that Christ paid on the cross, we enter into the covenant free from our own works or efforts. When we fail, God does not punish or judge us because He honors covenant first and foremost, and the greatest clause of His covenant with Jesus is this glorious statement:
“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; and their sins and iniquities will I remember no more” (Hebrews 10:16, 17).
Hallelujah!
Abraham and his wife Sarah were perpetually on the move, heading toward God’s promise of an inheritance. Their journeys took them to Gerar which was a righteous nation, headed by King Abimelech. When they arrive, Abraham tells the king that Sarah is his sister, fearful that they would kill him and take her for their own if they thought that she was his wife. This rationale doesn’t make much sense. Wouldn’t her being his sister just free them to take her for themselves? This is precisely what happens as the king takes Sarah to join his harem.
During the night, the Lord visits Abimelech in a dream and warns him about laying a hand on Sarah. Abimelech is afraid and vows that he was innocent in the deed, thinking that Sarah was an available woman. I imagine that as the story of what happened was rehearsed in Abimelech’s mind he began to wonder if the Lord had come after the right man. Shouldn’t Abraham be visited by God for lying about his wife? Shouldn’t God have judgment and revenge on Abraham for loving his own life so much more than his wife’s?
It is not God that confronts Abraham either that night or the next morning; it is Abimelech. When he asks why Abraham would do such a thing, Abraham admits that he was scared for his own life. There is no deep spiritual answer, nor noble reason why he has lied. His sin is obvious, so surely his punishment will be swift.
This story is very important when it comes to understanding how God views covenant. God had cut covenant with Abraham back in chapter 15, but during that ceremony of covenant, God had put Abraham to sleep. By taking Abraham out of the ceremony, God Himself passed between the pieces of the covenant animals (Genesis 15:17), sealing the deal with Himself, so that Abraham would be incapable of breaking it. Now, there were no pre-conditions on Abraham’s part; God was obligated to make him the father of many nations, independent of his actions.
When Abraham lied to Abimelech about Sarah, he showed a lack of faith, a presence of self-love and a serious need for affection towards his wife; yet in all of these things, God never curses Abraham. Abimelech, who has done nothing wrong, faces the brunt of God’s wrath, while Abraham sleeps like a baby through the night. Is God condoning lying by not cursing Abraham? No way; instead He is honoring covenant by not cursing Abraham. You see, covenant is more important to God than anything else.
Jesus and the Father cut a covenant at Calvary, and you and I were asleep so to speak. Therefore, when we accept the price that Christ paid on the cross, we enter into the covenant free from our own works or efforts. When we fail, God does not punish or judge us because He honors covenant first and foremost, and the greatest clause of His covenant with Jesus is this glorious statement:
“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; and their sins and iniquities will I remember no more” (Hebrews 10:16, 17).
Hallelujah!
