Genesis 20

Genesis chapter 20

Abraham picks up and moves south. The only reason given for this is that 'God caused me to wander'. We know that we will do a some 'wandering' of our own in this life. The geographic location we are in does not have any baring on our relationship with our savior. Our communion with God is done in our hearts and on our knees in prayer, not in a certain place. God is still God no matter where we are or what condition we are in and he can and does answer prayers no matter what.

When they come to the land of Gerar, Abimelech the king takes Sarah. Even that this advanced age it appears that she is still very beautiful. Unfortunately this is familiar territory for Abraham, having been in this situation with Pharaoh in Egypt. When Abraham was in a strange place he would tell Sarah to tell anyone they ran into that they were brother and sisters. This was a fact and not a lie because Abraham and Sarah had the same father, just not the same mother. He did this so that they would not kill Abraham and take Sarah all to themselves. I commented earlier that this does show a lack of faith on Abraham's part. In an evil land with evil leaders, you can see what he is trying to accomplish, but we need to go and let God work out the details.

God wastes no time in protecting his own people and the covenant that he has promised both Abraham, Sarah, and all of mankind. He visits Abimelech in a dream and tells him in no uncertain terms that he is a dead man for what he has done. Abimelech pleads with God and tells him he has not touched the woman and only took her because he was somewhat mislead by Abraham. God puts a plague on Abimelech and all his house that they won't reproduce until all is returned. Abimelech doesn't harden his heart like the Pharaoh many years later in his dealings with Moses.

Abimelech not only gives Sarah back, but gives silver and riches as well. Abraham prays for Abimelech and his household and the Lord lifts the curse. When we encounter troubles, we out to be quick to seek forgiveness and restore anything to our brothers and sisters that we have taken unjustly or even by accident; so that the Lord will bless our Christian life.