Tuesdays with Abraham

Read Genesis 20:2-6 – Now Abraham said of Sarah his wife, “She is my sister.” And Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah. But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, “Indeed you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man’s wife.” But Abimelech had not come near her; and he said, “Lord, will You slay a righteous nation also? Did he not say to me, ‘She is my sister’? And she, even she herself said, ‘He is my brother.’ In the integrity of my heart and innocence of my hands I have done this.” And God said to him in a dream, “Yes, I know that you did this in the integrity of your heart. For I also withheld you from sinning against Me; therefore I did not let you touch her. …” (NKJV)

Of all the passages covering Abraham’s life, this is certainly one of the more difficult to understand. Here Abraham has lied to protect himself, put Sarah in a dangerous position, and compromised his standing with the leader of the land. Good idea? God’s will? Seems highly doubtful. What is certain in this passage is the impact of lies. Technically, Sarah is a half-sister to Abraham, but Abraham has hardly been truthful with Abimelech. And the result places both Abimelech and Sarah in places they don’t want to be. Being less than truthful can do the same to those around us. We may survive a moment, but our dishonesty can easily create an uncertain world for those we love.

– Dr. Mike Clarensau serves as Senior Director of the Healthy Church Network of the Assemblies of God.