[NIV] 22 At that time Abimelek and Phicol the commander of his forces said to Abraham, "God is with youin everything you do. - P64
27 So Abraham brought sheep and cattle and gave themAbimelek, and the two men made a treaty. - P64
31 So that place was called Beersheba, because the twomen swore an oath there. - P65
Abimelek, whom we encountered in the previous chapter, comes toAbraham and requests that the latter swear to deal with himself andhis descendants kindly. Abimelek wants a perpetual guarantee of security
because he recognizes the favor of God upon Abraham. - P66
Indeed,
God had already begun to fulfill His promise to make Abraham‘s name great. - P66
But rather than asking Abraham to help him know and trust this powerful and
faithful God, Abimelek is more interested
in keeping Abraham at a safe distance. - P66
Let us be careful never to use God or
other believers as means to an end.
Peace and security are blessings that
point us to the only guaranteed source of
safety: God Himself. - P66
The power struggle continues as Abraham reproves Abimelek for a well
that the latter‘s men seized. - P66
Abimelek, on the other hand, tries to shift
the blame to Abraham.
To solve this conflict, Abraham cuts a
covenant with Abimelek. In addition,
he gives Abimelek seven ewe lambs as
awitness that the well is his. - P66
In so doing, Abraham secures a source of
water while he dwells in the land of the Philistines. Although this allmight seem like the fruit of human wisdom, Abraham
recognizes God‘s grace in his securing
of the well. - P66
His commemoration of "the EternalGod"
illustrates that God is growing Abraham‘s
faith as He provides forhis stay
in the promised land. - P66
Eternal God, You are the sovereign Lord of the universe and the author and
perfecter of my faith. - P66
Remembering what Christ did on the cross for me, mayI keep my eyes on the Lamb of God and grow in my trust in Him every day. InHis name, amen. - P66
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