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Genesis 20

A repeated sin

Hi everyone, there is an important distinction between the “good” man and the “just” man which the Spirit emphasises in the next part of Genesis.  So often we are tempted to accept that a man is a Christian because of what we see as his “good” works, but the LORD looks on the heart (which we cannot see) and judges correctly.

We should not be afraid to see the “unjustified” as “sinners” and the “justified” as Christians, but only when we have God’s word on that condition.  As we read the Bible we will often see the man or woman that God says is a “Christian” committing sins, or at least acting in a way which we would consider a sin!  This does not necessarily make him or her a non-Christian!  Only the rejection of God’s grace can do that and only He knows when this has occurred.

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Genesis 20:

1 And Abraham journeyed from there toward the south country, and dwelled between Kadesh and Shur, and sojourned in Gerar [which was Philistine country]. 

2 And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, “She is my sister”: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah [intending to marry her because he could see her beauty].  3 But [the Son of] God came to Abimelech in a dream by night [at his request], and said to him, “Behold, you are but a dead man, for the woman which you have taken; for she is a man's wife.”

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Abimelech was trying to figure out what was wrong in his household because all the monthly cycles of the women of his court had stopped.  Verse 18.  This was a disaster to people of those days who considered children a blessing and not a hindrance.  Only a divinity could do such a thing so he asked, “Why?”

In the Old Testament times it was taken for granted that God would communicate with enquirers by dreams.   Those who wanted to know what was right soon found an answer whether they were believer or unbeliever. 

It is written:

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Job 33:

14 For God speaks once, yes twice [He has two major avenues of communication with mankind], yet [in general] man perceives it not. 

15 [First] in a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; 16 then He opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction, 17 that He may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man. 

18 He keeps back his soul from the pit [the second death], and his life from perishing by the sword [dying in a violent way]. 

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God is ONLY ever a restorer – it is Satan who is the destroyer. 

And this is a reason why we should always ask a question before we go to sleep and then expect a visit from Jesus or His agent. 

Our story continues:

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Genesis 20:

4 But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, “Lord, will you slay also a righteous nation?  5 Said he not to me, ‘She is my sister’?  And she, even she herself said, ‘He is my brother’: in the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands have I done this.”

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Abimelech’s defence was based on moral goodness and therefore he claimed to be one of a righteous nation, but this was not true.  Note that he did not speak to Jesus as the Son of God (LORD) but as a “boss” god (Lord), who could do whatever he fancied, whereas the Son of God is a courteous Person and will not impose His will on anyone, but gives us the choice, which is what He was doing to this man.

The purpose of the sign was explained to Abimelech.  It was to save him from sinning before God and men, for to marry another man’s wife was just as bad then as it is now.  But the heathen man pleaded his innocence before his heavenly Visitor, and rightly blamed the man of God.  Note that Abimelech carried on a sensible conversation even though he was asleep.  This was no mixed up dream which need to be interpreted.  This was a one-on-one conversation between Jesus and a sinner who wanted to do right, even though Abimelech thought of Him only as a one of the gods.

The Son of God visited him when he was asleep because then his brain activity was less than usual, and He could get through easier to the man than was possible while he was awake.  This is the difference between dreams and visions.

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Genesis 20:

6 And [the Son of] 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 suffered I you not to touch her [by My sign].  7 Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for you, and you shall live: and if you restore her not, know you that you shall surely die, you, and all that are yours [your family will cease to exist because of the drying up of the wombs].”

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I don’t know how this works, but our actions have far-reaching effects as we have seen with fly sprays and the ozone layer.

Here is where the great difference between saint and sinner shows up! 

The man of God in this instance is the liar and the deceiver (a sinning Christian) while the innocent heathen is a “good” man, but not a “justified” one.  If Abimelech had been a Christian then he could have prayed for himself and people, but he now needed the prayers of a righteous man which “availeth much”.  James 5:16. 

It is not our goodness that prevails with God, for our goodness (self righteousness) is “like filthy rags” to Him (Isaiah 64:6).  It is a life hid in Christ that allows the Christian’s request to be answered because then he or she asks in the right way. 

It is written:

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Hosea 12:

2 The LORD has also a controversy with Judah [as well as sinners], and will punish Jacob [the thief, aka Israel the overcomer] according to his ways; according to his [way of] doings will He recompense him.

3 He took his brother by the heel in the womb [using human strength], and [but] by his [Christian] strength he had power with God.  4 Yes, he had power over the Angel, and prevailed: [because] he wept [like Abraham, in repentance for his lack of right-doing], and made supplication to Him: he found Him in Bethel [the house of God], and there He spoke with us [not just Jacob/Israel]; 5 even the LORD God of hosts; the LORD is his [Jacob’s] memorial [or Intercessor]. 

6 Therefore turn you to your God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on your God continually.

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Good works are needed in the Christian, but AFTER the fact of conversion, not before, and in God’s strength, not our own.  But Jesus rewarded the heathen Abimelech for his desire to do right, for He loves goodness wherever and however it occurs.  Hebrews 1:8-9; Matthew 10:41-42.

Jesus did not threaten Abimelech with death (after all, He had come to save him) but warned him that the wages of sin (the result of sin) is death.  If he didn’t change then death would be the natural consequence of his actions.

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Genesis 20:

8 Therefore Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ears: and the men were sore afraid. 9 Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said to him, “What have you done to us?  And [in] what 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.” [And completely spoiled the picture of God’s character which it was his privilege to display as a Christian.]

10 And Abimelech said to Abraham, “What saw you, that you have done this thing? [What was your evidence?]” 11 And Abraham said, “Because I thought [I had no evidence, only feeling], Surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife's sake.  12 And yet indeed she is 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 which you shall show to me; at every place where we shall come, say of me, ‘He is my brother’.”

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The sensible man asks for solid proof, not just circumstantial evidence or opinion before he pronounces the guilty verdict.  In this way the worldling reproves the Christian! See Luke 16:8.

Because of feelings based on an assumption Abraham and Sarah told half a truth!!  But with intent to deceive which made it into a lie.  Just what Satan loves.

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Genesis 20:

14 And Abimelech took sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and womenservants, and gave them to Abraham, and restored him Sarah his wife. 15 And Abimelech said, “Behold, my land is before you: dwell where it pleases you.” 16 And to Sarah he said, “Behold, I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver: behold, he [it?] is to you a covering of the eyes [buy some cloth because you should have veiled your face!!], to all that are with you [your female servants], and with all other [the multitude of women in the household]”.  Thus she was reproved [told off]. 

17 So Abraham prayed to God [this is the first time prayer to God is specifically mentioned in the Bible]: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children. 18 For the LORD had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham's wife [note that the warning sign fits the intended sin nicely!]. 

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Just a thought here. 

I wonder what Abraham asked for in his prayers?  Certainly the privilege of helping in the education in religious matters for this likeable man.  His request was granted in that he lived amongst those Philistines for many years.  Note that although Abraham was the guilty one in this story, it was he who had to pray for the morally correct man! 

The goodness of Abimelech is shown again in his behaviour towards Abraham and his gentle but sarcastic [couldn’t they afford the material?] reproof of Sarah for not behaving as a modest woman should have done in the presence of strangers.

Back again next week, God willing, 

Bye,

Ron

Some of the comments in these readings are adapted from books in my library.  No recognition is given because they are not intended as authorities, but are used because they express my understanding clearly. All the ideas expressed in these readings, right or wrong, are my own.

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Hebrews 1:

8 But to the Son He says, “Your throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of Your kingdom. 9 You have loved righteousness, and hated iniquity [totally]; therefore God, even your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness above Your fellows.

Matthew 10:

41 He that receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.

42 And whosoever shall give to drink to one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say to you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.  Back

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In a parable Jesus told us that if we are of the world then we should be wise to ways of the world and act accordingly.  You can read the whole story, from verse 1 to 13, but here is the important verse.

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Luke 16:

8 And the lord [the master of the house] commended the unjust [unjustified] steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world [sinners] are in their generation wiser than the children of light [Christians].  Back

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