[NIV] 1 Now Abraham moved on from there into theregion of the Negev and lived between Kadesh and Shur.
For a while he stayed in Gerar, 2 and there Abraham saidof his wife Sarah, "She is my sister." Then Abimelek kingof Gerar sent for Sarah and took her. - P50
6 Then God said to him in the dream, "Yes, I know youdid this with a clear conscience, and so I have kept youfrom sinning against me. That is why I did not let youtouch her. - P51
7 Now return the man‘s wife, for he is a prophet, andhe willwill live. But if you do notfor youprayand youreturn her, you may be sure that you and all who belongto you will die." - P51
17 Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abi-melek, his wife and his female slaves so they could havechildren again, 18 for the LORD had kept all the womenin Abimelek‘s household from conceiving because ofAbraham‘s wife Sarah. - P53
14 Then Abimelek brought sheep and cattle and maleand female slaves and gave them to Abraham, and hereturned Sarah his wife to hum. - P53
15 And Abimelek said, "My land is beforewherever you like.‘
כ - P53
From the beginning of his journey, Abraham experiences God‘s help and favor time
and again. But despite this, we discover
Abraham cowering for the second time. - P54
As he did in Egypt, Abraham asks Sarah totell Abimelek that she is his sister and,
once again, allows his wife to be taken
away by another man. - P54
Instead of trusting in God, Abraham relies
on his cunning to keep himself safe. - P54
Instead of reprimanding him for his lack of
faith, however, God continues to show
him favor, warning Abimelek to refrain
from sinning against Him and commanding him to return Sarah to Abraham. - P54
In His grace, God extends favor to theundeserving, a gift that cannot be earned but only freely received. - P54
Having discovered that Sarah is not Abraham‘s sister but his wife,Abimelek confronts Abraham for his dishonesty. This is a precarious situation because Abimelek is
the ruler of the land. - P54
From a human point ofview, Abraham has nothing to expect but retaliation. Yet somehow, he comes out of the situation not
only unharmed but wealthier. - P54
There is no explanation for this outcome
other than God turning Abraham‘s evil
circumstances into good because of His covenant with him. - P54
Because we are in God‘s hands, even a
precarious situation can become a source
of blessing, and because we are in His hands, our lives are anchored in peace and
hope, and we can become a blessing to
others. - P54
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