Have you ever had a feeling like you have lived through a particular situation before? Sometimes our actions and responses follow the same path as they have in the past and sadly, it's not always the right path! It's not just a feeling, it has become your reality!
Genesis 19 concluded with Lot's daughter's both producing a son for him, Moab and Ben-Ammi. They were living in a cave to stay safe. Chapter 20 is where a familiar situation plays out, in fact for the reader, it's like déjà vu!
"Now Abraham moved on from there into the region of the Negev and lived between Kadesh and Shur. For a while he stayed in Gerar, and there Abraham said of his wife Sarah, "She is my sister." Then Abimelek king of Gerar sent for Sarah and took her. But God came to Abimelek in a dream one night and said to him, "You are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken; she is a married woman." Now Abimelek had not gone near her, so he said, "Lord, will you destroy an innocent nation? Did he not say to me, 'She is my sister,' and didn't she also say, 'He is my brother'? I have done this with a clear conscience and clean hands." Then God said to him in the dream, "Yes, I know you did this with a clear conscience, and so I have kept you from sinning against me. That is why I did not let you touch her. Now return the man's wife, for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you will live. But if you do not return her, you may be sure that you and all who belong to you will die." Early the next morning Abimelek summoned all his officials, and when he told them all that had happened, they were very much afraid. Then Abimelek called Abraham in and said, "What have you done to us? How have I wronged you that you have brought such great guilt upon me and my kingdom? You have done things to me that should never be done." And Abimelek asked Abraham, "What was your reason for doing this?" Abraham replied, "I said to myself, 'There is surely no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.' Besides, she really is my sister, the daughter of my father though not of my mother; and she became my wife. And when God had me wander from my father's household, I said to her, 'This is how you can show your love to me: Everywhere we go, say of me, "He is my brother." ' " Then Abimelek brought sheep and cattle and male and female slaves and gave them to Abraham, and he returned Sarah his wife to him. And Abimelek said, "My land is before you; live wherever you like." To Sarah he said, "I am giving your brother a thousand shekels of silver. This is to cover the offense against you before all who are with you; you are completely vindicated." Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelek, his wife and his female slaves so they could have children again, for the Lord had kept all the women in Abimelek's household from conceiving because of Abraham's wife Sarah."
Genesis 20:1-18 NIV
Abraham was on the move again! Perhaps he did not want to overlook the terrible destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah but whatever the reason, he ended up in the region of Gerar, where King Abimelech reigned. Abraham uses the same lie we read of in Genesis 12 when they went to Egypt during the famine! Sarah was ninety but still attractive, Abraham was concerned again that they would want her and kill him. So fear led Abraham to take the matter into his own hands.
Notice God's protection over Sarah as she was destined to become pregnant but it had to be with Abraham's seed. God protected a pagan king from sin and even though Abraham had not trusted God in this situation, His blessing was on them —God had not abandoned this special family!
Abraham is rebuked once more and his response is surprising, especially as he uses the same excuse! Perhaps if Abraham had really feared and trusted God in this situation, he would not have found it so easy to lie, instead he would have let God protect them. Despite all of this, Abimelech vindicated Sarah and Abraham, giving them animals, slaves, silver and even land. God then allowed the women of the king's household to conceive again.
This passage reminds me of how easy it is to fall into the same pathways of sin due to fear or a lack of trust. We should instead remember to seek God and pray:
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6 NIV
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
Romans 8:28 NIV
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for not abandoning me when I choose to head in the wrong direction and sin. Thank You that the blood of Jesus covers all of my sins completely! May this account of Abraham serve as a reminder to trust You even when everything looks difficult. Thank You for Your patience and mercy time and time again as You have protected me and turned me around. Again I think of Proverbs 3:5-6:
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your paths."
In Jesus' Name,
Amen.
"For you are the fountain of life, the light by which we see."
Psalms 36:9 NLT
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Light and Life for Today
Non-FictionA daily devotional for your time alone with God. In an increasingly dark world, more than ever, we need to look beyond what we can see, past our present circumstances. In order to see the light and experience life as our Heavenly Father intended, I...
