Genesis 20:3-18
We have considered Abraham’s sad mistake in failing to own his wife’s true relationship. It is relatively easy to claim faith when all that is experienced produces pleasantness, but more difficult to have faith when outward circumstances are discouraging or when the threats and ridicule of the world are feared. Faith can scarcely be strong when, like Abraham in Gerar, one exposes himself to circumstances and surroundings that are foreign to what he professes to hold dear and are contrary to God’s path.
Abimelech, who planned to take Sarah as his wife (thinking she was Abraham’s sister), was warned of God in a dream concerning these intentions and in that dream he pleaded his innocence. God answered him: “Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against Me; therefore suffered I thee not to touch her.” verse 6. God would not allow the carelessness of Abram and Sarah to interfere with His purposes concerning the promised son and thus Abimelech was forbidden to proceed further. Our hearts are refreshed to see how God looks over His own even where faith has fallen short. But this is not to say that He will not allow lessons to be learned from failure and sometimes much sorrow with them.
Abraham was called to account and severely rebuked by Abimelech who said unto him: “What hast thou done unto us? and what have I offended thee, that thou hast brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin?” verse 9. It is a sad thing for a Christian to be reproved by the world! In Abraham’s reply he brought to light that he and Sarah had for many years, on various occasions, resorted to this concealment of identity with each other, for he said: “When God caused me to wander from my father’s house ... . I said unto her, This is thy kindness which thou shalt show unto me; and every place whether we shall come say of me, He is my brother.” verse 13.
It was, without question, good that Abraham was finally compelled to make this confession of a longstanding error; and it is a good thing for the believer to have short accounts with God and not carry un. judged matters forward from day to day. God may be exceedingly patient with the errors of His people, but the full flow of His love to His own cannot be expressed until unconfessed sins are brought before Him. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us.” 1 John 1:9,10.
Abraham had this additional lesson to learn before the full outflowing of God’s promises could be enjoyed. Furthermore this experience took place before the joy of Isaac’s birth could come in. The confession restored peace between Abimelech and Abraham and was honored of God in removing judgment that would otherwise have fallen on Abimelech.
Memory Verse: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27.
ML 10/17/1965