Overview:
This passage sounds so similar to Genesis 12:10-20 when Abraham moved to Egypt and the Egyptian king took Sarah. The difference lies in the fact that God had told Sarah in ch 18 that she would have a son in next year. How could she bore a son from Abraham if she was token to by Abimelech?
Repeated phrases:
(1) Compared with Pharaoh, Abimelech saw the appearance of God v.3, v.6. God intervened in this critical time.
(2) Abimelech claimed that he is innocent v.4,5 and God acknowledged that in v.6.
(3) Abimelech had not gone near Sarah v.4,6.
20:6 Then in the dream God replied to him, “Yes, I know that you have done this with a clear conscience. That is why I have kept you from sinning against me and why I did not allow you to touch her.
Reflection: Sarah did not have relationship with Abimelech was due to the fact that God has prevented Abimelech from doing so. Abimelech did not know that she was the wife of Abraham. Even with his innocent he could have sinned against God.
Our knowledge is so limited. We could have sinned against other people because of our ignorance. Humble our heart and tell God that we are limited and we need His intervention and prevent us to do the wrong things.
(4) When Abimelech pushed Abraham for the reason why he deceived him Abraham mentioned the name of God twice, v.11 and 13.
20:11 Abraham replied, “Because I thought, ‘Surely no one fears God in this place. They will kill me because of my wife.’
In Abraham's mind, God's protection to him was only limited to the place where people of that place feared God. Do you have that misconception, too? In fact, God appeared and talked to Abimelech and Abimelech feared God. God can intervened in any situation, whether that person is a believer or not.
Reflection: I have some small dispute with my previous company over my severance pay. The problem lingered for over a month now. I prayed for the HR person and I told God that I trusted Him for whatever result that will be. When the HR got back to me it was very short. The email just said it will be taken care of in my next paid check. I thank God and He works over everyone's heart.
20:13 When God made me wander from my father’s house, I told her, ‘This is what you can do to show your loyalty to me: Every place we go, say about me, “He is my brother.” ’ ”
In Abraham's mind, God made him wander, but he needed to take care of the protection of himself and told his wife how to do that. No, God is our Protector! If He told us to do something He would protect us and make sure we can finish. We dont need to worry if we are walking on the path of God!
Audrey
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