A Study in Genesis
Has there ever been a time in your life when you have acted out of fear? That you did what you did not want to do, but did it anyway, because of the unknown? Plain and simple, fear can make us act irrationally. Nevertheless, God can lead us through this fear and the uncertainty if we are willing to trust Him. Today, we are going to examine a time when Abraham and Sarah acted out of fear, and yet God acted according to His good nature and saved them. Genesis 20 immediately precedes the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham and Sarah go south towards Gerar, and while there, out of fear for his life, they claim they are not married but rather siblings. While there, Abimelech, the King, saw Sarah and took her with the intention of making her his wife. Instead of trusting the Lord, they acted out of fear.
Nevertheless, God will act according to His good nature. No matter what, He is dependable, no matter what, He can be trusted to do what is right, even when we fail. Malachi 3:6 “For I am the Lord, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.” This does not take us out of the discussion of action but rather allows us to see that God is with us and has provided the necessary tools so that we do not act in fear. Proverbs 2:11“Discretion will preserve you; Understanding will keep you.” Abraham and Sarah’s actions had brought about the situation in which God would have to directly act.
Genesis 20:3-7 “But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, “Indeed you [are] a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she [is] a man’s wife.” 4 But Abimelech had not come near her; and he said, “Lord, will You slay a righteous nation also? 5 “Did he not say to me, ‘She [is] my sister’? And she, even she herself said, ‘He [is] my brother.’ In the integrity of my heart and innocence of my hands I have done this.” 6 And God said to him in a dream, “Yes, I know that you did this in the integrity of your heart. For I also withheld you from sinning against Me; therefore I did not let you touch her. 7 “Now therefore, restore the man’s wife; for he [is] a prophet, and he will pray for you and you shall live. But if you do not restore [her,] know that you shall surely die, you and all who [are] yours.”
Without Abraham or Sarah knowing, God was already acting. While both of them were in fear, God was protecting. The event ends with Sarah being restored to Abraham, and King Abimelech giving gifts to Abraham. Abraham prays to God, and God heals Abimelech’s household. God provides for both sides. Fear had no place in Abraham’s life, and yet it was given the ability to sway Abraham and Sarah to make illogical choices. When we fail to lean on the Lord, we fail to be at our most courageous; when we seek our own understanding, we fail to see the truth standing in front of us. Next week, we will see how God is faithful even when we fail. Next week, we will see how God provides a son to Abraham and Sarah!
Hold until relieved, our Blessed Hope is coming
JL