Genesis 20 Again?!

Abraham moved from the oaks of Mamre to Gerar. He became afraid again that he would be killed so someone could have Sarah. “She is my sister” came out AGAIN.

I have a feeling that Abraham left where he was so he wouldn’t have to see the valley all burned up every morning. A vivid reminder that God couldn’t even find 10 righteous men in all the city of Sodom. Did he wonder about Lot? Did he think Lot had been killed along with the city? Did God reassure him that Lot was safe? And, why didn’t Lot seek out Abraham instead of hiding in the hills?

We know that Abraham loved Lot and felt responsible for him. If he didn’t, he wouldn’t have gone after him when he was taken prisoner with the inhabitants of Sodom. And, Lot KNEW to reach out to Abraham when he was in trouble. Otherwise, the message wouldn’t have been delivered about Lot’s situation. On their way back, did Abraham have a stern talk with Lot about his choices? Did Abraham tell Lot that if he chose to live in Sodom, he couldn’t help him anymore? Or did Lot simply believe that would be Abraham’s response.

There appears to be a ‘gulf’ between the two men. But GOD rescued Lot BECAUSE of Abraham! “So it was that, when God destroyed the cities of the valley, God remembered Abraham and dent Lot our of the midst of the overthrown when He overthrew the cities in which Lod had loved” (Genesis 19:29). Lot was not the one God did this for.

Sorry, I got sidetracked. But that’s a story I may want to look back at someday. For today, I want to ‘walk’ with Abraham as an old fear seizes him again. Sarah, even at 90 years old, is turning heads! It’s not just in Abraham’s mind. It’s a fact. If not, Abimelech wouldn’t have taken her for himself. I’ve seen bible story illustrations of Sarah as a wrinkled old woman when Isaac was born. I don’t think she was. She was still beautiful and desirable to men. Talk about wearing your age well! I wonder what her beauty secrets were. I’m getting sidetracked again! Let’s join our story before I lose all idea of where we were going this morning.

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Abraham’s heart hurts every time he looks out over the valley where God has judged the cities. “Not even 10 righteous men” he thinks with a heavy heart. “Enough of this!” he scolds himself. “Life is for the living, not for the dead. It’s time to get back to living.”

Abraham has no idea what has become of Lot. It has been months since the sulfur and fire rained down. Surely, if Lot had survived, Abraham would have heard something. That hope was the only reason Abraham didn’t leave right away.

Abraham comes back from his vista and looks for his head herdsman. “We will be leaving in two days’ time. Make the preparations needed and spread the word.”

The herdsman had been watching Abraham since the day the sky burned. He could see the sadness in his master. He had a pretty good idea what caused that sadness but he didn’t press for answers. Abraham’s face today tells the man that his master is going to be alright again; finally.

Word moves through the camp like wildfire. Within the space of a few hours, everyone knows of Abraham’s plan to leave and starts making preparations. They have been in this place for a LONG time. Most will be happy to be ‘on the road’ again. Afterall, what is a tent for, if not for moving from place to place.

The morning of the move arrives. Even Sarah is happy to be moving on. She still struggles with the memory of the visit of the men. The one who spoke directly to her and told her that she HAD laughed. Her cheeks still burn with shame at her little lie being found out; when she thinks about it. She tries to put it from her mind. His original words are still impossible to her. She has banished them to the farthest recesses of her mind. If it wasn’t for the shame of being called a liar she would have put the whole incident from her mind.

Traveling is second nature to Abraham’s group. They have gone wherever he directed them for close to 25 years. They have it down to a science. The times of extended stays are nice, but many feet get ‘itchy’ sitting still so long. It’s a good thing that sheep need to be on the move from pasture to pasture or these men would go crazy!

Abraham’s group reaches the southern region of Canaan. The cities of Kadesh and Shur can be seen in the distance. Abraham doesn’t like camping too close to cities. His flocks and his people need room to spread out. Besides, the city people get nervous about their water being taken by his large company. Abraham chooses the smaller city of Gerar to settle near.

As camp is being struck, the old fear that Abraham has carried since the day they left Harran reemerges. The fear that he will be killed so someone can get to Sarah. She is still very beautiful! And any man would have to be blind not to see that.

As Abraham’s servants are raising his tent, he takes his wife, Sarah, aside. “Sarah, you remember our plan. If anyone asks, we will say that you are my sister.”

“Abraham, my husband, that was only when you were afraid because of my beauty. Look at me! I am old now. That shouldn’t even come up.”

“No my wife, your beauty hasn’t faded at all! You are still as beautiful as the day I married you. And my life is still in danger because of your amazing beauty!”

Sarah chuckles to herself. “As you wish, ‘dear brother’” chides Sarah. “You wait and see” thinks Sarah.

Sarah and Abraham’s discussion was put to the test within two days. Abraham goes into Gerar for supplies on the morning of their second day in their new camp. Sarah pleads, successfully, to go with the group. Sarah is with a small group of women while Abraham brought along two of his men to help him.

The city is bustling with early morning bargain hunters. The best deals are usually made when the supplies are plentiful. As the women are picking over the fruit being offered, there is another kind of ‘shopper’ on the prowl.

This ‘shopper’ isn’t actually looking for new acquisitions, but when he sees something he likes, he is quick to ‘jump’ on it. This ‘shopper’ is the king’s personal servant. He is always on the lookout for remarkable and beautiful things of ANY kind. Today, he spots a VERY beautiful and remarkable ‘thing’. He sees Sarah. She is laughing with the women at something they find amusing. The sound of her laughter alone is enough to get his attention. It is like water to a thirsty man.

Sarah is oblivious to her admirer. She and her small group keep on about their business. When they have gathered all they need, they search out Abraham and his group. The women wait quietly as the men complete their business. Soon, all are ready to head back to their camp.

As Abraham and his small group make their way out of the city, the king’s servant follows them. He follows long enough to see where they are going. The encampment that joined them a few days ago. After establishing this, he quickly heads back to his master.

“Great king Abimelech, I have seen a woman of such beauty today in the market, that I had to bring you news of her.”

“What have you learned of her” asked the king.

“The sound of her laughter strikes a chord so deep that it draws you in. None could resist it! And her beauty is beyond words my master.”

“What is her name? Where is she from? And how have I not heard of her before now?”

“I do not know her name but she is from the company that arrived just two days ago and is camped in the hills nearby.”

“Interesting” thinks Abimelech. “I will go and see this woman. If she is all that you say, I may take her as my own; providing she is available.”

Abimelech is at the mouth of Abraham’s encampment the next morning. With him are donkeys laden with gifts. Abraham’s first thought when hears this are for his own life. He quickly takes Sarah to the side. “Remember, sister” is all he needs to say. They both know what this means. Abraham hurries off to meet Abimelech as soon as their eyes register agreement.

Abimelech doesn’t have long to wait. Abraham walks purposefully towards him. “Great king Abimelech, I am honored by your presence at my humble encampment.”

“Welcome to our valley. I trust your stay with us will be pleasant.”

“It is a wonderful place. Lush, quiet and welcoming” offers Abraham. He is waiting for ‘the other sandal to drop’. “To what may I attribute the pleasure of your visit today? How may I be of service my king?”

While the two leaders are conversing, Sarah steels from her tent to watch. She is among many who are standing nearby.

Abimelech presses on with his polite welcome while his servant scans the camp for the woman he saw yesterday. Finally, the servant spots Sarah. Quietly he directs Abimelech’s attention to Sarah’s proximity. Abimelech stops in midsentence.

“I wanted to know if you…” Abimelech stammers and then falls silent. His eyes have locked on Sarah.

Abraham sees Abimelech’s gaze move to the side and he knows without even being told what he has fixated on. “I KNEW this was coming” he says to himself. He remains calm. He pretends to be surprised at Abimelech’s reaction and looks over his shoulder as if trying to figure out what has grabbed his attention.

“Oh, I forgot to introduce my sister. How rude of me. Sarah, would you join me in welcoming our guests.”

Sarah dips her head in recognition then goes to stand beside her husband/brother. “Welcome my king” Sarah says with a bow.

“Forgive me for staring. My servant brought me news of a most beautiful woman whom he had the pleasure to gaze upon. He did not do justice to your beauty.”

“You are too kind my king.”

“You should be living in luxury!” stammers Abimelech

“My brother provides very well for me my king. I want for nothing.”

“I will take you away from this place; with your brother’s permission. I will show you the best that Gerar has to offer. You will be my wife and live like a queen.”

“Here we go again” thinks Sarah as she keeps the smile plastered on her lips. “Will Abraham speak up for me this time? Or am I destined to be another man’s wife?”

“My sister is much loved here my king. Our camp would suffer without her” Abraham pleads.

“I will send servants to assume her duties if you cannot find another within your own ranks. I MUST have her as my own.”

Abraham can see no way out of this mess, again. “As you command my king. Be especially kind to her as she is precious in our eyes too.”

“He almost did it” thinks Sarah. “He almost broke down and refused the king. I will have to put my fate in his God’s hands again. Hopefully, He will rescue me and keep me from shame.”

Abimelech pays Abraham the bride price and takes Sarah back to the city. He has her stand beside him in his chariot so ALL can see her beauty. He fully believes that a man who possesses beautiful things is made beautiful and desired. He is certain he is the envy of every man right now.

Sarah maintains a demure stance beside the king. She does not want to shame him by looking proud. And she is anything but proud right now. She knows the lie she is living once again. She is happy that Abraham didn’t lose his life over her, but her heart aches as she considers what lies ahead.

Just as Sarah had been placed for ‘beauty treatments’ in Pharaoh’s palace, she is again assigned two weeks to prepare herself before being presented to the king, Abimelech. Each day, Sarah would participate in whatever activity was required of her, but her thoughts were on how she would escape this situation.

While Sarah is in the palace, Abraham is seeking his God’s favor. He knows that these people do not worship the same God he knows. And he has no idea how to remedy the mess he has made with his little ‘white lie’. “Oh Sarah, wife of my heart and sister by my father, what have I done to you? May your shame be upon my head!” he cries into his pallet each night.

On the night before Sarah is to be brought in to Abimelech, Abimelech has a VERY disturbing dream. God speaks to him in this dream. “Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man’s wife” (verse 3b).

Abimelech began to plead with God in his dream. “Lord, will You kill and 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” (verse 4b-5).

Still within the dream, God answers back. “Yes, I know that you have done this in the integrity of your heart, and it was I who kept you from sinning against me. Therefore I did not let you touch her. Now then, return the man’s wife, for he is a prophet, so that he will pray for you, and you shall live. But if you do not return her, KNOW that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours” (verses6-7).

As soon as God had finished speaking, Abimelech woke up. He got up and called for his servants.

“The woman you showed me will be the death of us if we do not return her to her husband!”

“Her husband?” the head servant asks. “Who is her husband?”

“The very man who told me that she was his sister.” Abimelech then shares the whole dream with his servants. They hang on every word. By the time his story is over, they are all shaken and afraid.

“Go to the camp of the man and bring him to me. Do NOT harm him, for he is a prophet” Abimelech orders.

That same night that Abimelech had his dream, Abraham had one of his own. In his dream he is standing before the Lord and repenting for his sin against Sarah and against God. “I am so sorry for my actions. I know it was wrong; but I was afraid. I feared that they would kill me because of Sarah’s beauty.”

“Why do you fear man? Have I not already told you of your future? Have I not said that you would go to your grave an old man? And have I not promised you a son by Sarah? Why then did you put her in the arms of another man?” questions God.

“You have my God. All I can say is that I was afraid. I lost sight of Your promises and doubted Your protection. Please forgive me” pleads Abraham.

“I have forgiven you and I will restore your wife to you this day. You are to tell Abimelech the truth and intercede for him for his role in this sin.”

So, when Abimelech’s servants arrived at Abraham’s camp, he is already ready to go.

It doesn’t take long before Abraham is standing before Abimelech. The first words out of Abimelech’s mouth are filled with accusation and pinned Abraham in place. “What have you done to us? And hos 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” (verse 9).

Abraham stands silent. He doesn’t yet know how to answer.

In a voice pleading for an answer, Abimelech continues. “What did you see, that you did this thing?” (verse 10).

Abraham is ashamed of his actions. It is time to come completely clean in this matter. “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.’…” Abraham takes a deep breath before going on. “…Besides, she is indeed my sister, the daughter of my father though not the daughter of my mother, and she became my wife. And when God caused me to wander from my father’s house, I sand to her, ‘This is a kindness you must do me: at every place to which we come, say of me, “He is my brother”’” (verses11-13). Abraham said this last part with burning shame. Knowing that he set this in motion from the beginning.

Abimelech felt Abraham’s heart and understood his fear. He is not unfamiliar with the envy of those around him and what lengths man is willing to go to in order to gain the thing of his desires.

Abimelech called for his scribe to record his words. “To Abraham, I give 5,000 sheep, 2,000 oxen, 100 male and 100 female servants. I also return unto you your wife, Sarah.”

Sarah was brought to stand beside Abraham. Abimelech continues his acts of contrition for the sin he so nearly committed against Abraham and Abraham’s God.

“Behold, my land is before you; dwell where it pleases you.” Abimelech then directly addressed Sarah. His voice softened as he spoke to her. “Behold, I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver…” (This was the bride price Abimelech had paid Abraham. He was reassigning it a new meaning.) “…It is a sign of your innocence in the eyes of all who are with you, and before everyone you are vindicated” (verse 16).

Sarah’s eyes convey her most sincere thanks to Abimelech; for the gift and for its new meaning. ALL will know that she is innocent in all of this. No one would dare question her purity.

Abraham is touched also by Abimelech’s words. He is more than ready to ask the Lord’s blessing on Abimelech and his household. They have shown true honor to Abraham and his God by their conduct.

“Lord God of Heaven and Earth; God of all creation. I thank You for returning unto me my wife; the one You have made special. I again ask Your forgiveness for bring this sin upon the household of Abimelech. Restore his household and bless them for they have honored You in both word and deed. Hold them innocent, as I do also. Thank You for the kindness You have visited on me and my household through the hands of Abimelech. Restore unto him ten-fold what he has given.”

Sarah and Abraham emerge from the home of Abimelech and walk together back to their camp. “I will NEVER again ask you to say that you are my sister. You are my wife. The mother of many nations; as the Lord has promised.”

Sarah is pleased to hear that she will never be put in that position again, but she still has trouble accepting the words Abraham speaks of her being a ‘mother’. This is an issue to be delt with another time. For now, she is going home.

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When I was first thinking about this story, I wondered how Abraham could have gotten himself in this predicament AGAIN. How he could have doubted God’s protection. Then I realized that he was just a man, like any other man in creation. He has times when he is strong. He has times when fear creeps in and he does things he wouldn’t otherwise do. I’m sure he didn’t set out expecting this kind of result when he made this pact with Sarah.

He was on a process of learning to trust God. He didn’t wake up one day with “super faith” and never make another mistake from then on. He would go through ups and downs just like the rest of humanity. He will have EXTRAORDINARY FAITH moments, but he will also continue to be human.

Father God, thank You for showing me a different view of Abraham today. I had always taken the view of “How could you!” before. You showed me the man who was as fallible as the rest of us. I would LOVE to have the kind of faith he demonstrates later on. But building that kind of faith involves failures too. I guess that means that I’m on track, because I’ve had my share of failures. Keep building in me please Father!