Genesis 21:22-3422And it came to pass at that time, that Abimelech and Phichol the chief captain of his host spake unto Abraham, saying, God is with thee in all that thou doest: 23Now therefore swear unto me here by God that thou wilt not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son's son: but according to the kindness that I have done unto thee, thou shalt do unto me, and to the land wherein thou hast sojourned. 24And Abraham said, I will swear. 25And Abraham reproved Abimelech because of a well of water, which Abimelech's servants had violently taken away. 26And Abimelech said, I wot not who hath done this thing: neither didst thou tell me, neither yet heard I of it, but to day. 27And Abraham took sheep and oxen, and gave them unto Abimelech; and both of them made a covenant. 28And Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves. 29And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What mean these seven ewe lambs which thou hast set by themselves? 30And he said, For these seven ewe lambs shalt thou take of my hand, that they may be a witness unto me, that I have digged this well. 31Wherefore he called that place Beer-sheba; because there they sware both of them. 32Thus they made a covenant at Beer-sheba: then Abimelech rose up, and Phichol the chief captain of his host, and they returned into the land of the Philistines. 33And Abraham planted a grove in Beer-sheba, and called there on the name of the Lord, the everlasting God. 34And Abraham sojourned in the Philistines' land many days. (Genesis 21:22‑34)
“And it came to pass at that time, that Abimelech... spake unto Abraham, saying, God is with thee in all that thou doest: Now therefore swear unto me here by God, that thou wilt not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son’s son... And Abraham said, I will swear.” v. 22-24.
In the 20th chapter Abraham’s carelessness brought failure of testimony, as a result of which he and Sarah were reproved by King Abimelech. But God graciously used the experience to bring full confession from Abraham and soon thereafter he and Sarah were in position to receive blessing in the birth of Isaac. Abimelech was aware of Abraham’s true place before God and perhaps had been a witness to the faith that enabled him to put Ishmael out of his home. At least it was “at that time” that Abimelech could say “God is with thee in all that thou doest,” and requested a pledge of kindness from him. Be assured, Christian friend, that the world around you will know when your walk is in the light and power of true faith and obedience, just as it will know when your testimony is weak or failing.
Abraham, who before had been subject to Abimelech’s reproval, was now in position to stand for him for good—the result of correcting and judging his failure. Here, in the strength of his true position, the ultimate possessor of the very land in which Abimelech presently ruled, he was well able and willing to do good. This is actually the principle for the believer today in respect to those around him: “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men...” Galatians 6:1010As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:10). The Christian life should be outflowing not inwardly selfish.
Yet there is always a distinction between what is spiritual and that which is of the world. Regardless of the expressed promises of kindness from Abraham, the servants of Abimelech forcefully took a well of water belonging to him. Its loss was serious and Abraham rebuked Abimelech concerning it. May all who love the refreshing wells of spiritual water found in God’s Word also guard them most carefully from the encroachment of the world, lest there should be loss of the precious enjoyment thereof in the wilderness way.
“And Abraham took sheep and oxen, and gave them to Abimelech;... and Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves. And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What mean these seven ewe lambs which thou hast set by themselves? And he said, For these seven ewe lambs shalt thou take of my hand, that they may be a witness unto me, that I have digged this well.” vv. 27-30. The offering on the part of Abraham spoke, among other things, of his grace toward an offending people and reminds all who would show the spirit of God in their walk that they are called upon to show grace to this world too.
“And Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there or the name of the LORD, the everlasting God.” verse 33. All was well with Abraham. He had given no offense to those who offended him. He had recovered what was lost of his well of refreshing and in the joy of all that Isaac meant to him and the reassurances of God’s watchful care, called anew on the name of his Lord.
ML 11/21/1965