34. Abraham and more righteous Abimelech (Gen 20:1-18)

 Abraham repeated the same mistake he had done in Egypt in chapter 12.

Please Read Gen 20:1-18

When Sarah had been taken from Abraham, God warned Abimelech not to take her. Abimelech questioned God’s justice, for he had done this with (               ) hands.

This is God’s answer to Abimelech. Indeed he is (                ), My chosen agent. If you make him angry, you cannot live.

God-fearing Abimelech could not understand Abraham’s dishonesty as God’s chosen (verses        ).

Abraham didn’t trust in God’s protection but relied on a human trick calling his wife (               ) (v13)

However, God protected His chosen Abraham and restored Abimelech’s house through him (verse          ).

Answers & Meditation

Abimelech did all things with innocent heart and hand. But Abraham did lie and could have made others sin (v22). If they sin because of Abraham's lies, they will be cursed, let alone blessed, because of Abraham. This is not what God promised to Abraham.

God intervenes and achieves good in a situation where God's wrath can come to Abimelech due to Abraham's lies. 

Innocent

In this episode, Abimelech seems more righteous than Abraham.

God is being accused by Abimelech because of Abraham. In addition, God's face is ruined by saying that Abraham is God's prophet. When we do wrong in the world, our heavenly Father takes the blame.

A prophet

God didn’t criticize Abraham but acknowledged Abraham’s special status as the agent of God’s blessing. Abimelech’s death and life are in Abraham’s hands.

9-10

It is our shame when the world accuses us of unrighteousness, though he was called to reveal God’s righteousness.

His sister

Abraham said, ‘she is indeed my sister.’ But, in this context, Sarah was his wife. Abraham didn’t admit his implicit lie but excused himself.

17

Despite Abraham’s failure, God kept His promise of blessing nations through him.

But, Abraham was not honored by the world because of his lack of trust.  See, Abimelech is mocking them by calling Abraham Sarah’s brother in verse 16.

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