Gen 20:14-16

[Thegoodground]

Hi all,

In preparation for some upcoming studies I would like to glean your thoughts on a section of Scripture I am currently pondering.

20:14 So Abimelech gave[sup]32[/sup] sheep, cattle, and male and female servants to Abraham. He also gave his wife Sarah back to him.
20:15 Then Abimelech said, “Look, my land is before you; live wherever you please.”[sup]33[/sup]
20:16 To Sarah he said, “Look, I have given a thousand pieces of silver[sup]34[/sup] to your ‘brother.’[sup]35[/sup] This is compensation for you so that you will stand vindicated before all who are with you.”[sup]36[/sup]

Note: Silver is the metal of redemption – but what is Abimelech redeeming?)

Notice how Abimelech does not speak to Abraham but gives him livestock and servants and also his wife Sarah back.

He then offers Abraham whatever land he desires.

Then proceeds to speak directly with Sarah and announces the gift of silver to her brother (which is said sarcastically) but with genuine intent.

As a side, the sum of silver was substantial considering Abraham would latter spend 400 shekels on Machpelah in Gen 23:15,16 and Jacob would later spend one hundred shekels on a piece of land at Shechem in

Gen 33:19 a mere twenty shekels could buy Jospeh in Gen 37:28.

This is no small matter for the King!

And notice how the money is given to Abraham through Sarah....why so?

Doubtless Abimelech is seeking to exonerate Sarah from any shame “before all those who are with her”

And who of Abraham's household where witnessing this court case?

We might give thought to who those in verse 16 are? Especially given the events we shall soon discuss with Isaac in Gen 21.

I believe the King sought means to confer to the great family of Abraham that her integrity is firmly intact and here is one thousand shekels of silver to redeem the integrity of Sarah. You see if Sarah was handed back without this admission this could have given way to disparaging looks which could lead to rumours and so on. The phrase in the AV which is uncertain by commentators states “covering of the eye” in verse Gen 20:16KJV is to do with those onlookers not seeing any shame on Sarah’s part.

20:17 Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, as well as his wife and female slaves so that they were able to have children. 20:18 For the Lord[sup]37[/sup] had caused infertility to strike every woman[sup]38[/sup] in the household of Abimelech because he took[sup]39[/sup] Sarah, Abraham’s wife.

The confession and partial justification by Abraham which began with “I thought” and “I planned” and “It is true she is my sister” is now met with “Abraham prayed to God” as God said it would in Gen 20:7 .

1. Yahweh did this to protect Abraham and Sarah to ensure no cloud of controversy could be placed over them and their future son.
2. He made sure Abimelech had a dream to ensure no one, including the king would touch Sarah.
3. And he closed all the wombs in his household to further ensure no one could speculate an illegitimate child. Conception was made impossible…even for Sarah!
4. He protected Sarah’s integrity within the broader family to suppress gossiping and any rumours permeating throughout the camp.

When the Apostle Paul speaks of being sanctified in the home it does us well to consider that all this divine intervention is what it means to be sanctified.

(comment on how it’s better to be in a covenant relationship with Yahweh and sin, than be without Him. Abraham in the wrong is strong than Abimelech being in the right!)

You cannot help detect and element of royal grovelling on the part of Abimelech who before all was forced to settle this debt out of court so to speak. The threat of having his life "end" at the very moment (Gen 20:7) if he did not submit to the Word of God. It reminds me of future the works of another Prophet (Matt 17:11) who will draw out the scattered descendants of Abraham from the various King’s throughout the earth and the tributes they shall carry with them will be a visual spectacle on that day!

You cannot help think how elevated Abraham was after this event, not only before the King who clearly wanted more to do with him, but also his own household.

But most importantly for Sarah, she beheld during that heartfelt solemn prayer (which I believe was publicly given) that God has the power to provide life in a woman’s womb, and Abraham, by his faith has direct access to such power through prayer.

Thank you (tbc.)

 

[Rex]

The confession and partial justification by Abraham which began with “I thought” and “I planned” and “It is true she is my sister” is now met with “Abraham prayed to God” as God said it would in

So you didn't say much about Gen 20:12

Abraham didn't lie and had he told them that she was his wife they would have killed him.
Long story short the LORD protected both Abraham and Sarah.
Prophets don't lie but they only speak what is given, they don't add or take away.
Abraham said she is my sister. end of the prophets message.

 

[Thegoodground]

So you didn't say much about Gen 20:12

Abraham didn't lie and had he told them that she was his wife they would have killed him.
Long story short the LORD protected both Abraham and Sarah.
Prophets don't lie but they only speak what is given, they don't add or take away.
Abraham said she is my sister. end of the prophets message.

Hi Rex,

Comments on Gen 20:11-13

Now Abimelech has just berated Abraham in front of his servants, saying “What prompted you to do this thing?”

20:11 Abraham replied, “Because I thought,[sup]27[/sup] ‘Surely no one fears God in this place.

The first mistake here is one of assumption, and for us it always begins with “I thought”…which is often followed with an “I’m sorry”. He is not alone in this “way of thinking”? We see it all the time! Have we not assumed what a person is thinking and then acted wrongly upon those assumptions? And often the result is unnecessary pain and suffering – We havn’t the time to explore fully the consequences which came out of this incorrect judgement, although Abraham had great understanding; he knew the Holiness of Yahweh that he required men to walk perfectly and upright before him; did Abraham meet many such people in in his walk through a godless land? Did he come across godly fear?

Abraham assumed:

1. So no one fears God in this place (proved to be false)
2. They will kill me because of my wife (proved to be false)
3. Well she is my sister. (half sister - half truth)

They will kill me because of[sup]28[/sup] my wife.’ 20:12 What’s more,[sup]29[/sup] she is indeed my sister, my father’s daughter, but not my mother’s daughter. She became my wife. 20:13 When God (Elohim) made me wander[sup]30[/sup] from my father’s house, I told her, ‘This is what you can do to show your loyalty (Checed) to me:[sup]31[/sup] Every place we go, say about me, “He is my brother.”’

Gen 12:17 revealed how Yahweh plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram's wife. (Gen 12:17)

We may not be given every occurrence where he employed this strategy but it is clear from the record that Abraham called upon Sarah’s loyalty and faithfulness…“you can show your love to me” by going along with my ploy.

Now might be a good time to consider some of the material schemes we have employed with dealing with the people of the world? The word Checed is often used in relationships where one party is in trouble and they need additional support – ecclesially it’s often seen where a family member has acted poorly, or compromised Gods truth in some way and the loyalty of the family is called upon, to ensure the matter is dealt with favourably, to their liking.

In light of Sarah’s willingness to obey Abraham, as Peter records in 1 Peter 3:6 that Sarah’s love and commitment is a great example, even though Sarah may not have agreed entirely her husband’s ploy.

TGG

 

[Rex]

From the words of the Lord, he is a prophet, now when a prophet thinks and plans who else is involved in that process?

 

[Thegoodground]

From the words of the Lord, he is a prophet, now when a prophet thinks and plans who else is involved in that process?

Good question.

When Abraham stated to Abimelech "When God made me wander[sup] [/sup] from my father’s house, I "told" her, ‘This is what you can do to show your loyalty to me:[sup] [/sup] Every place we go, say about me, “He is my brother.”

Why do you think Abraham suggested this strategy?
What was the basis of his reasoning...faith or fear?

Before you answer you may like to see a family trait which may well be a triat in your family also ;)

Gen 31:42 - What was the fear of Isaac?
Gen 31:31 - Jacob explains his fear to you.

Where did they get such fear from?

TGG

 

[Rex]

I believe God formed the strategy.
Fear thats a bigger picture.

Jacob did something similar "birth right"

Being a man in this world, a world that is in conflict with God can be a fearful thing. especially when God stands you up before it, as a testimony, you become the prime target of the enemy. "fear"

If you divide the bible like this it helps to keep your theology from become mix. I identifying the forward movement of God, where He places His foot and what changes take place at these foot holds. I'll just use several.

The fall- God promises that He shall threw the seed or decedent of Eve punish the serpent "restore spiritual relationship"

calling of Abraham - God didn't have much to say about His plan He watched men and then He made His choice. He chose Abraham and Sarah as the vessels that the promise of restoration would come threw. And God is going to proclaim His choice to the nations and men, Abraham has just become the number 1 prime target of Satan "fear". Now remember there is no law as we know the law, there is no gift of the HS as we know it as well.

Mosses - At the time of Mosses and God "spoke" and wrote the law, I believe the entire creation changed and trembled. There is some evidence of this outside of the bible. But when the creator speaks and says the words, Thou shall have no other god before me, a law was laid that effected all of the Heavens and earth, and everyone heard. The very fabric of creation was changed.

So make for yourself/ / properly/ dividing/ the word/ of God/ that you can follow/ and better/ see His/ Steps/

Something similar happen at the cross as well, all the heavens and earth heard as God took another step forward.
For your study look at Jesus, as soon as the LORD testified to the Lord before the nations at Johns baptism Jesus became Satan's prime target.
the same thing that happen to Abraham, and Jacob as well.

I just feel you could maybe find a better verse to convey your message, or maybe I could help you see the message I see in those verses.

God BlessYou
Your a wiseman

 

[Thegoodground]

I believe God formed the strategy.

Are are able to provide a verse to support your understanding?

Fear thats a bigger picture.

Yes, you may like to ask the question why, when Abraham was being rebuked of Abimelech did he not present "it was a command of the Lord?" or "the Lord told me to ask Sarah to do this thing?", however, what did he say?

"I" thought....

Then followed by his reasonings. Actually Rex the answer to our discussion is presented to you by Abraham himself.

• No one fears God in this place (proved to be false as Abimelech released Sarah out of fear)
• They will kill me because of my wife (proved to be false as Abimelech did not kill Abraham)
• Well she is my sister. (half sister - half truth - they shared the same Father but different mothers)

If Abraham had of told Abimelech the truth do you think God would allowed Abimelech to kill him and take Sarah?

It's comforting to know that even a gaint of faith as Abraham was, we too must learn that all encompassing lesson.

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (Pro 3:5)

TGG

 

[Rex]

Sure then, you believe Abraham was a total screw up, yet the Lord never rebuked him. And after Abimelech chewed him out for lieing he returns Sarah, gives him a basket full of silver and told him camp where ever he likes.
Makes perfect sense to me.

Here's what I've learned from you
the Lord will reward you for not following Him

 

[Thegoodground]

Sure then, you believe Abraham was a total screw up,

Where did that come from? Certainly not my words! Col 4:6 ;)

yet the Lord never rebuked him.

Did He need to?...ins't the consequence of our actions often enough punishment for sin?

And after Abimelech chewed him out for lying he returns Sarah,

So you admit Abraham had lied?

Interesting...how so?

gives him a basket full of silver and told him camp where ever he likes.

Have you considered why Abimelech was so interested in redeeming (silver) the integrity of Sarah's character before all the witnesses? Why so?

Do you think Abrahams actions here cast some doubt over the sanctity of their marriage?

What would those of Abrahams family be thinking as Sarah is bought out from Abimlechs harem?

I appreciate your comments, I do. They cause me to go over the record once more to see if in fat as you say God devised the plan.

So far it appears not.

TGG.

 

[Rex]

No I didn't say Abraham lied
we simply don't communicate well with each other.

God Bless and have happy thanks giving

 

[Thegoodground]

No I didn't say Abraham lied
we simply don't communicate well with each other.

God Bless and have happy thanks giving

Rex,

Here is what you wrote:

And after Abimelech chewed him (Abraham) out for lying he returns Sarah,

Then you contradicted yourself by saying:

No I didn't say Abraham lied

Which is it - Did Abraham misrepresent his relationship with Sarah or not?

I see no issues in how we are communicating.

TGG