Genesis 20
20 Abraham moved south to the Negev and lived for a while between Kadesh and Shur, and then he moved on to Gerar. While living there as a foreigner, 2 Abraham introduced his wife, Sarah, by saying, “She is my sister.” So King Abimelech of Gerar sent for Sarah and had her brought to him at his palace.
3 But that night God came to Abimelech in a dream and told him, “You are a dead man, for that woman you have taken is already married!”
4 But Abimelech had not slept with her yet, so he said, “Lord, will you destroy an innocent nation? 5 Didn’t Abraham tell me, ‘She is my sister’? And she herself said, ‘Yes, he is my brother.’ I acted in complete innocence! My hands are clean.”
6 In the dream God responded, “Yes, I know you are innocent. That’s why I kept you from sinning against me, and why I did not let you touch her. 7 Now return the woman to her husband, and he will pray for you, for he is a prophet. Then you will live. But if you don’t return her to him, you can be sure that you and all your people will die.”
8 Abimelech got up early the next morning and quickly called all his servants together. When he told them what had happened, his men were terrified. 9 Then Abimelech called for Abraham. “What have you done to us?” he demanded. “What crime have I committed that deserves treatment like this, making me and my kingdom guilty of this great sin? No one should ever do what you have done! 10 Whatever possessed you to do such a thing?”
11 Abraham replied, “I thought, ‘This is a godless place. They will want my wife and will kill me to get her.’ 12 And she really is my sister, for we both have the same father, but different mothers. And I married her. 13 When God called me to leave my father’s home and to travel from place to place, I told her, ‘Do me a favor. Wherever we go, tell the people that I am your brother.’”
14 Then Abimelech took some of his sheep and goats, cattle, and male and female servants, and he presented them to Abraham. He also returned his wife, Sarah, to him. 15 Then Abimelech said, “Look over my land and choose any place where you would like to live.” 16 And he said to Sarah, “Look, I am giving your ‘brother’ 1,000 pieces of silver[a] in the presence of all these witnesses. This is to compensate you for any wrong I may have done to you. This will settle any claim against me, and your reputation is cleared.”
17 Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his female servants, so they could have children. 18 For the Lord had caused all the women to be infertile because of what happened with Abraham’s wife, Sarah.
It is easy to think that faith goes from faith to more faith and from strength to more strength. However, often you find that our highest moments are followed by times of great struggle and foolishness. Abraham stood on a mountain, ready to sacrifice his own son knowing that God could raise him from the dead and would fulfil all his promises. The faith that he had is astounding. Then, one chapter later, he is so afraid of the locals that he does not tell them that his wife is married to him and without divine intervention, would have allowed them to sleep with her. Great faith does not immunise you from great foolishness.
I met with a church leader recently who led one of the biggest festivals in the nation. He told me of the highs and the times of incredible encounter with God. However, he also told me that after the festivals he would experience deep depression and battles. The spiritual highs were followed by fleshly lows.
Notice that God does not abandon Abraham in this story or overly criticise him. Instead, he protects him from the damage of his own weaknesses. He protects Sarah and restores them to his path. The lesson here is not that God expects us to be perfect but that in our humanity and failing that he will come alongside us and protect us, if we will allow him to.
God is not abstract and distant. He is close, relational and wants to walk intimately with us. He protects us and restores us. Whether you are on a mountain top or a valley, God wants to meet you where you are and lead you to grace and peace.
