LastCall: Abraham's fear -Bob Caldwell

Unbelief Yet to be Uprooted  “Then Abimelech said to Abraham, ‘What did you have in view, that you have done this thing?’” - Genesis 20:10 Abraham’s fear that God will not protect him resurfaces in this chapter. Years earlier, when Abraham first arrived in this land of promise, he had shown this same fear. When famine had hit Canaan, he left the land of promise, making himself vulnerable to those he feared would take his life and then take his wife (Gen. 12:1-20). Abraham repeats this same lapse of faith even after God had shown Himself to be faithful in keeping and prospering Abraham time and time again. He gives us three excuses for his actions in verses 9-12. None of them, however, justify his actions. In fact, all they really reveal is God’s amazing grace to protect Sarah from being forced into the harem of this Egyptian ruler. This teaches us first that God’s promises are as sure as God Himself. To have put Sarah into such a dangerous situation was completely unnecessary. God is not limited by anything or anyone in keeping the promises He has given His people. We should fear no one but God. And if we do fail in our faith, God will still be faithful to what He has promised to do in and through us. I tend to think Abraham learned his lesson. In the next two chapters, he shows a new and deeper level of faith than ever before.
Genesis 20:1-18 Abraham and Abimelech 1 And Abraham journeyed from there to the South, and dwelt between Kadesh and Shur, and stayed in Gerar. 2 Now Abraham said of Sarah his wife, “She is my sister.” And Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah. 3 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.”
Abraham Leaves To Gerar (Verses 1-2) v. 1 Journeyed – Abraham left the area that had been devastated by God’s judgment and went to an area that he believed would be a sufficient market for his extensive livestock, a business that employed hundreds of people (Gen. 14:14). Stayed – “Ghur” Literally means “to turn aside.” This word was used to refer to people who lived among those who were not blood relatives. Gerar – This was the capital city of the Philistines, near the border of Egypt. v. 2 She Is My Sister – In fear of being killed and his wife taken from him, Abraham lies. He had left the place of fellowship with God at Hebron in the plain of Mamre to a place where he feared the loss of God’s protection and blessing. How much better it is to remain within the boundary of God’s will than leave it for “greener” pastures that in the end expose us to our lack of strength and potential defeat when we seek to live life without God. It seems Abraham fell back into a lapse of faith similar to what is recorded in Genesis 12:10-20. It therefore becomes obvious that he had never truly repented and rooted out this fear and unbelief. Abimelech – This was a title for a ruler, not a personal name. Took Sarah – Likely she was added to the king’s harem because of the wealth and position she represented, being a “sister” of this wealthy businessman Abraham. God Intervenes (Verses 3-7) v. 3 Dream – God often uses the subconscious state of dreams to speak with humanity. God is seen here as faithful to intervene in not allowing Abraham’s lying and fear to hinder His own sovereign plans. Dead Man – Here we see God’s strong view about maintaining fidelity in marriage. v. 4 Lord – “Adonai” This is a Hebrew term for God that means “Lord of All.” It reveals that this King had a true understanding of God in the midst of an idolatrous world that, by and large, worshipped many gods. Righteous Nation – Abimelech had sought to lead his nation with respect to what he knew to be God’s will. At this time there were no scriptures to refer to, but he was led by what Paul would later refer to as God’s law written upon the heart (Rom. 2:15).
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.” 8 So Abimelech rose early in the morning, called all his servants, and told all these things in their hearing; and the men were very much afraid. 9 And Abimelech called Abraham and said to him, “What have you done to us? How have I offended you, that you have brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? You have done deeds to me that ought not to be done.” 10 Then Abimelech said to Abraham, “What did you have in view, that you have done this thing?”11 And Abraham said, “Because I thought, surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will kill me on account of my wife. 12 But indeed she is truly my sister. She is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife. 13 And it came to pass, when God caused me to wander from my father’s house, that I said to her, ‘This is your kindness that you should do for me: in every place, wherever we go, say of me, “He is my brother.”’”
v. 5 Integrity – “Tom” (Heb.) Refers to a moral virtue that is one of innocence, simplicity, and uprightness. Innocence – “Niqqayon” (Heb.) Refers to being free of blame for what had happened. v. 6 I Also Withheld – God reveals His sovereign power to control what appear to be natural circumstances. v. 7 Prophet – “Havi” (Heb.) Means speaker of oracles. This is the first time this term is used in the Bible. Such a person was set apart by God to speak words that were not his own, but God’s (1 Peter 1:20-21). Pray – Even though Abraham had lied and put his wife in a potentially adulterous situation, God still maintained His commitment to the call and relationship He had with Abraham. Sarah Is Restored To Abraham (Verses 8-18) v. 9 What Have – A man Abraham had thought did not fear God rebukes him. It is often the case that the “world” can see the hypocrisy and sin of believers before believers can see it themselves. v. 11 Because – Abraham gives the first of three excuses for his sin: “God is not in this place.” This, of course, is not true, but it reveals that Abraham still had a limited understanding of God. Kill Me – Abraham’s second excuse for his sin was that he needed to protect himself from harm. This becomes an obvious proof that he had lapsed into unbelief rather than by faith believing that God would have protected both him and his wife if he had simply been honest with this king. v. 12 She is My Sister – Abraham’s third reason for his sin is to excuse it by telling a half-truth rather than face the cold facts of his deeds. She was a half sister, but, more importantly, she was his wife.
14 Then Abimelech took sheep, oxen, and male and female servants, and gave them to Abraham; and he restored Sarah his wife to him. 15 And Abimelech said, “See, my land is before you; dwell where it pleases you.” 16 Then to Sarah he said, “Behold, I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver; indeed this vindicates you before all who are with you and before everybody.” Thus she was rebuked. 17 So Abraham prayed to God; and God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his female servants. Then they bore children; 18 for the LORD had closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham’s wife.
v. 16 This Vindicates You – The gifts Abimelech had given (v. 14-15) were understood to atone, to “cover over,” so as to forget any wrong that may have been done. “Justice has been done” on the part of Abimelech. v. 17 God – “Elohim” (Heb.) This word refers to God as the One Supreme Being and the source of the healing. v. 18 The Lord – “Yahweh” (Heb.) This is the personal term for God used by the Jews to distinguish Him from all the other concepts of God among pagans who believed in many gods.

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