Genesis 20
“Now Abraham moved on from there into the region of the Negev and lived between Kadesh and Shur. For a while he stayed in Gerar, 2 and there Abraham said of his wife Sarah, “She is my sister.” Then Abimelek king of Gerar sent for Sarah and took her.
3 But God came to Abimelek in a dream one night and said to him, “You are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken; she is a married woman.”
4 Now Abimelek had not gone near her, so he said, “Lord, will you destroy an innocent nation? 5 Did he not say to me, ‘She is my sister,’ and didn’t she also say, ‘He is my brother’? I have done this with a clear conscience and clean hands.”
6 Then God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know you did this with a clear conscience, and so I have kept you from sinning against me. That is why I did not let you touch her. 7 Now return the man’s wife, for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you will live. But if you do not return her, you may be sure that you and all who belong to you will die.”
8 Early the next morning Abimelek summoned all his officials, and when he told them all that had happened, they were very much afraid. 9 Then Abimelek called Abraham in and said, “What have you done to us? How have I wronged you that you have brought such great guilt upon me and my kingdom? You have done things to me that should never be done.” 10 And Abimelek asked Abraham, “What was your reason for doing this?”
11 Abraham replied, “I said to myself, ‘There is surely no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.’ 12 Besides, she really is my sister, the daughter of my father though not of my mother; and she became my wife. 13 And when God had me wander from my father’s household, I said to her, ‘This is how you can show your love to me: Everywhere we go, say of me, “He is my brother.”’”
14 Then Abimelek brought sheep and cattle and male and female slaves and gave them to Abraham, and he returned Sarah his wife to him. 15 And Abimelek said, “My land is before you; live wherever you like.”
16 To Sarah he said, “I am giving your brother a thousand shekels of silver. This is to cover the offense against you before all who are with you; you are completely vindicated.”
17 Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelek, his wife and his female slaves so they could have children again, 18 for the Lord had kept all the women in Abimelek’s household from conceiving because of Abraham’s wife Sarah.”
Genesis 20 Meaning
The Bible verses in Genesis 20 tell the story of Abraham and Sarah’s journey to Gerar. In this narrative, Abraham and Sarah find themselves in a difficult situation when Abraham presents Sarah as his sister to Abimelech, the king of Gerar, out of fear for his own safety. However, God intervenes and protects Sarah from any harm.
Genesis 20 Commentary and Explanation
Abraham and Sarah’s journey to Gerar demonstrates the struggle and imperfections of human faith. Despite being chosen by God and having received numerous promises, Abraham still finds himself grappling with fear and doubt. He resorts to dishonesty in order to protect himself, forgetting that God is ultimately in control. However, even in this moment of weakness, God remains faithful and intervenes to protect Sarah.
It is important to note that Abraham’s decision to present Sarah as his sister was not completely unfounded. In the ancient Near East, it was not uncommon for rulers to take the wives of powerful men. By stating that Sarah was his sister, Abraham was hoping to ensure his own safety and keep Sarah from being taken away. However, this act of self-preservation overlooked the fact that God had promised to protect and bless Abraham and Sarah.
Despite Abraham’s shortcomings, God graciously intervenes and speaks to Abimelech in a dream, warning him of the consequences of taking Sarah as his own. Abimelech, unaware of the true nature of their relationship, had already taken Sarah into his household. Upon waking up, he confronts Abraham and asks him why he lied about Sarah’s identity. Abraham admits his fear and lack of trust in God’s protection, and God prevents any harm from coming to Sarah.
This passage teaches us that even when we falter in our faith, God remains steadfast and merciful. He does not abandon us, but intervenes and protects us in ways we may not expect. Our shortcomings may have consequences, but God’s grace is always available to lead us back to Him. We must remember to trust in God’s promises and seek His guidance, rather than relying on our own understanding and attempting to protect ourselves through dishonest means.
Also Read: Genesis 19 Meaning and Commentary
Context of Genesis 20
This event takes place around the same time as the narrative of Genesis 18 and 19, where Abraham intercedes for the righteous in Sodom and Gomorrah and God destroys the cities. After witnessing the destruction and moving away from that region, Abraham and Sarah travel south and settle in Gerar, a region near the Philistines.
At the time, Sarah is around ninety years old, and her beauty still garners attention. Fearing for his life, Abraham comes up with the plan to describe Sarah as his sister.
The context of this story is essential in understanding the emotional state and circumstances that led to Abraham’s actions. It is a reminder that even faithful individuals can face moments of weakness and doubt. Abraham’s fear highlights the human struggle to fully trust in God’s promises, despite having experienced His faithfulness in the past.
Breaking Down the Key Parts of Genesis 20
Genesis 20:1-2: In this passage, we see Abraham’s decision to present Sarah as his sister and the consequences that follow. Out of fear for his life, Abraham resorts to deception, which leads to Sarah being taken by Abimelech, the king of Gerar.
Genesis 20:3-7: God intervenes in a dream to warn Abimelech of the consequences of taking Sarah. Abimelech pleads his innocence, not knowing Sarah’s true identity. God acknowledges Abimelech’s integrity and informs him of Sarah’s true marital status, preventing him from sinning. However, he instructs Abimelech to return Sarah to Abraham and seek Abraham’s prayers for his life.
Genesis 20:8-13: Abimelech confronts Abraham about the deceit and false information, expressing his concern about the potential harm it could have caused. Abraham admits to his fear and lack of trust in God’s protection. He justifies his actions by explaining the kinship between him and Sarah, but also admits that he instructed her to refer to him as her brother.
Lessons From Genesis 20
1. Trust in God’s promises: Abraham’s actions in Genesis 20 reveal a lack of trust in God’s protection. It serves as a reminder that we must have faith in His promises, especially during challenging situations. God’s faithfulness extends far beyond our own abilities to protect ourselves.
2. Honesty and integrity: Abraham’s deception leads to complications and potential harm. It is crucial for us to prioritize honesty and integrity in our actions, even in difficult circumstances. Trusting in God means trusting that He will guide us through any situation with integrity.
3. God’s intervention and protection: Despite his shortcomings, God remains faithful to Abraham and Sarah. This passage reminds us that God’s protection is not contingent on our own righteousness but is given out of His mercy and grace. When we stumble, God is there to guide and protect us.
4. God’s ability to use flawed individuals: Abraham’s actions in this narrative exemplify his imperfect faith. However, God still uses him as a vessel to bring about His plans and promises. This gives us hope that, despite our own shortcomings, God can still work through us to fulfill His will.
Final Thoughts
Genesis 20 serves as a reminder that even those who are called by God can stumble in their faith. Abraham’s decision to deceive Abimelech reveals his fear and lack of trust in God’s protection. However, this passage also highlights God’s faithfulness and mercy in protecting Sarah and intervening in the situation. It serves as a valuable lesson for us to trust in God’s promises, prioritizing honesty and integrity even in challenging circumstances. God’s intervention and protection are not contingent on our own righteousness but are an outpouring of His grace. Despite our imperfections, God can still work through us to fulfill His plans and purposes.
As Christians, may we strive to trust in God’s promises, uphold integrity in our actions, and seek His guidance in every situation. With God’s help, we can navigate through the challenges and uncertainties of life, knowing that He is faithful to protect and guide us.