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Genesis 20

Good Morning “Growing in Your Faith.”  Today we are in Chapter 20.

Abraham, like us is a work in process.  Here in chapter 20 we see Abraham returning to his old tricks.  He finds himself in Gerar.  Here he once again claims Sarah is his sister.  Abimelek sends for her and takes Sarah as his wife.  God is faithful to protect the line of Jesus so He comes to Abimelek in a dream and warns him that he is a dead man.  The term dead here refers to both physical death and reproductive death.  Meaning neither he nor any of his household will be able to bare any children.  

Abimelek, unlike Pharaoh appears to be a man with a heart to do the right thing.  God orchestrates a confrontation that will force Abraham to come face to face with his sin.  Abraham must pray for Abimelek in order for him to be restored.  God didn’t need Abrahams prayer to do this.   He needed Abimelek to confront Abraham in his sin:  Abimelek ends up sending for Abraham and then publicly, questions him.  This would have been incredibly embarrassing, dishonoring for Abraham.  Look how Abraham responds.

“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.’ Besides, she really is my sister, the daughter of my father though not of my mother; and she became my wife. 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.” ’ ””
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭20‬:‭11‬-‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

He presents 3 arguments.
- He shifts the focus and tries to blame Abimelek… I just figured you were Godless.

- He quibbles over technicalities… she really is my sister, at least my half sister.   Who cares… is she your wife dude?

- He blames God.  When God had made me wander…

A lie is a lie is a lie.  Human nature is to try to weasel out of taking responsibility.  Adam responded similarly in the Garden.  Here’s the hit for us… don’t we also?

Here we see even when Abraham is wavering in his faith… God is still faithful.  He was with Abraham; and He is with us!

Take the rebuke.  Allow the Holy Spirit to convict.  Continue to grow.  Love you all!  Dig in!