Study From the Book of Genesis,20

Study From the Book of Genesis,20

Today we study chapter 20 of the Book of Genesis. I choose two biblical principles and their lessons which are useful in Biblical Counselling.

Abraham deception about Sarah in the city of Gerar was later to be repeated by his son Isaac in ch.26.  This is an example of a son taking after his father. The present story is also a replay of Abraham’s earlier mistake in Egypt.

Sarah was the half sister of Abraham. Abimelech took her in the king harem but not in his bed. Presumably, Abimelech was a pagan king. Yet God warned him of the wrong that he was about to commit. This is another instance of the protective care that God gives His people. Sarah and Abraham both spoken of as Lords or nobles, literally a noble wife of a noble man.

The gravity of the situation is that if Abimelech touched Sarah, he and his household would die, so his fear quickly spread to his family and servants. Abraham gave two reasons for his action. The first was based on his assumption that he was in a hostile environment of people who did not fear God. Second Sarah was truly his sister from his father of different mothers. Later the Law prohibits the marriage of people so closely related.

Abimelech made a significant payment to Abraham in silver to compensate Sarah’s hardship. So, Abraham prayed to God for Abimelech.

Whatever, the situation began, it ended in mercy with Abraham acting as a priest for Abimelech before the true and living God. In this way the people of Gerar learned about the Lord, as it happened in Egypt years earlier.

The statement that the Lord had closed up all the wombs indicates that the stay of Abraham and Sarah in Gerar had been prolonged before Saraha identity became known, might be several months. Soon the Lord would open Sarah’s womb to give her a child, long after she was too old to conceive naturally.  

Structure

Verses: 1-18: Abraham and Abimelech.

Principle 34: verse 20:9: ---“And Abimelech called Abraham and said to him, ‘---You have done deeds to me that ought not to be done.’”

Lesson 34: Sometimes God uses the ungodly to rebuke and correct His own people. He does so to remind us that we can trust Him in all circumstances, however dangerous they may seem.

Principle 35: 20:17: -----“So Abraham prayed to God; and God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his female servants---.”

Lesson 35: The only time Abraham stands tall in this story is when he gets on his knees in prayer. 18/1/2026.