https://esv.literalword.com/?q=genesis+20
Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Friday, 22 November 2024:
Genesis 20:2 — And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, “She is my sister.”
Fear of man can lead you to sin terribly. It takes faith to obey God regardless the perceived cost.
Genesis 20:4, 5 — Now Abimelech had not approached her. So he said, “Lord, will you kill an innocent people? Did he not himself say to me, “She is my sister”? And she herself said, “He is my brother.” In the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my hands I have done this.
Abimelech showed more integrity than God’s prophet Abraham — what a tragedy. And Abraham’s cowardice almost cost Abimelech his life. How terrible is it for one of God’s people to dishonor God by sinning before unbelievers? How incredible is God’s grace that He does not give up on the failures of His servants? Abraham, like the rest of us, was in no position to brag of his righteousness; he could only brag about the mercy, grace, and righteousness of God.
Genesis 20:6 — It was I who kept you from sinning against me.
You have no idea how many times God has protected you from your own weakness by shielding you from temptations you would not be able to handle — another reason no one can brag about their righteousness. God knows that, often times, if you got what you wanted, you would not be able to handle it with integrity and would drift from Him.
“Abimelech’s reference to an ‘innocent people’ is an appeal to God’s justice and recalls Abraham’s plea in Genesis 18:23. The king emphasizes his own integrity and implicitly questions whether Yahweh would be just to condemn him. Clearly, he trusts God will act according to His justice and relent. The innocence Abimelech claims for himself is ‘relative’; it is not a claim of perfection. In other words, he is speaking of his general, overall (though imperfect) conformity to moral norms. While such holiness cannot merit entrance into the Lord’s kingdom, it is nonetheless real and acknowledged by God. Many biblical writers claim their own righteousness in prayer and are not condemned for doing so (for example, Ps. 18).
Most significantly, the Lord agrees with Abimelech’s assessment of his innocence, showing us the king is in the right. Remarkably, God also tells Abimelech that he has kept the ruler from greater sin because of his innocence (Gen. 20:6), helping us see that He guards the way of those who live righteously (Ps. 106:3; Prov. 2:6–8).
In Psalm 23:3, David tells us that the Lord leads His people ‘in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.’ If we belong to God and evidence this through our mortification of sin and holy living, then He will help protect us from falling. Do you feel as if you are having trouble loving Him and His will today? It may be because you are not practicing righteousness. Endeavor to live in holiness today and He will guard your way.” (Ligonier Ministries)
Genesis 20:9-11 — Then Abimelech called Abraham and said to him, “What have you done to us? And how have I sinned against you, that you have brought on me and my kingdom a great sin? You have done to me things that ought not to be done.” And Abimelech said to Abraham, “What did you see, that you did this thing?” Abraham said, “I did it because I thought, ‘There is no fear of God at all in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.”
Today’s readings in Genesis 20 should serve as both a warning to us on the negative impact of our infidelity and servants of God and as a comforting reminder of God’s grace and His total fidelity despite our infidelity. This a real low point in Abraham’s walk with the Lord which demonstrates a serious character flaw in Abraham, a character flaw which was similarly exposed previously in Genesis 12 — “So Pharaoh called Abram and said, ‘What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife?'” (Genesis 12:18) God had promised Abraham that he would have an heir through Sarai and said he would be a blessing to many nations, but, in fear rather than faith, choosing self over the Sovereign, Abraham stopped asking ‘What is right?’ and began asking ‘What is expedient?’ He worked against God’s promise and plan, jeopardized the future legacy he had hoped for, sold out his wife to save his own skin, threatened the future of Abimelech and the people of Gerar, and dishonored God’s holy name before the gentiles. In his inconsistent faith, Abraham repeated the same sin again and again. Yet, in His mercy, grace, love, and total faithfulness, God continually intervened in Abraham’s life. In this case, “God came to [unbelieving] Abimelech,” who proved to have more integrity than the chosen “prophet” Abraham. So, God was revealed and glorified, not because of Abraham but despite Abraham.
God called Abraham to so much more! If only Abraham had trusted God and His promises and fulfilled his true calling as a prophet and blesser of many! But Abraham is a reminder to us that God chose us before we chose Him, not because of our righteousness (which is often worse than an unbeliever) but because of His grace. However God calls His people, who were made in His image to reflect and reveal His character to others in order to glorify Him and draw people to Him. Instead of assuming the worse in Abimelech, prejudging him, and leading him into unintentional sin, Abraham should have led him to the Lord. How has your lack of faith (fear and pride) caused you to repeatedly sin, work against God’s plan for your life, hurt others, misrepresent the character of God, and hold you back from the love, joy, and peace God wants for you? How has God revealed His grace to you despite your infidelity. Today is the day to recommit to living the life God has called you to live in Christ.
Genesis 20:11 — Abraham said, “I did it because I thought, ‘There is no fear of God at all in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.’”
The Bible says that we cannot know the hearts of other people, and we often prejudge others inappropriately causing us to sin by treating them unfairly. This year, we will read several stories in the Bible where misunderstandings between people led to avoidable conflict, pain, and destruction. As Christians, we must be very careful not to let our biases get in the way of fairness.
Genesis 20:14 – Then Abimelech took sheep and oxen, and male servants and female servants, and gave them to Abraham, and returned Sarah his wife to him.
Abimelech paid restitution despite having been deceived and having attempted to act in integrity. Abimelech paid the price for peace though the conflict wasn’t his fault. Are you ready to surrender your rights for relationship?
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 22 November 2024: Today, resolve to do what is right because it is right, regardless the personal cost that you would in no way dishonor the Name of Christ but rather glorify Him in all you do.
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 