Slices
Prepare
In your experience how do people treat outsiders, whether socially or on grounds of race, age, ability or life experience? Ask God to give you insight, as you read about Abraham.
Bible passage
The treaty at Beersheba
22 At that time Abimelek and Phicol the commander of his forces said to Abraham, ‘God is with you in everything you do. 23 Now swear to me here before God that you will not deal falsely with me or my children or my descendants. Show to me and the country where you now reside as a foreigner the same kindness that I have shown to you.’
24 Abraham said, ‘I swear it.’
25 Then Abraham complained to Abimelek about a well of water that Abimelek’s servants had seized. 26 But Abimelek said, ‘I don’t know who has done this. You did not tell me, and I heard about it only today.’
27 So Abraham brought sheep and cattle and gave them to Abimelek, and the two men made a treaty. 28 Abraham set apart seven ewe lambs from the flock, 29 and Abimelek asked Abraham, ‘What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs you have set apart by themselves?’
30 He replied, ‘Accept these seven lambs from my hand as a witness that I dug this well.’
31 So that place was called Beersheba, because the two men swore an oath there.
32 After the treaty had been made at Beersheba, Abimelek and Phicol the commander of his forces returned to the land of the Philistines. 33 Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there he called on the name of the Lord, the Eternal God. 34 And Abraham stayed in the land of the Philistines for a long time.
Explore
Abraham, who was rich when he left Harran (12:5), is still resident in Philistine territory, and has become very wealthy, no doubt helped by the gifts of King Abimelek. The land is prosperous, evidenced by the location of various wells. Yet he doesn’t belong. His wealth, origins and maybe his religion make him an outsider. His God, however, is trusted and is seen as a source of the material success that has come to Abraham (v 22).
But Abimelek doesn’t trust Abraham. Might Abraham have ambitions to claim yet more land, as Abimelek had offered (see 20:15), or even threaten his family inheritance? He accuses Abraham of withholding information from him, of building wells without official permission, of making false accusations against his servants. Abimelek needs a formal oath (v 31) before accepting Abraham’s truthful intentions.
Why was it only after Abimelek had departed that Abraham acknowledges God’s presence by planting possibly a whole grove of tamarisk trees – tall, shade-giving, needle-producing evergreens? Relief? Gratitude? Intention to remain?
Respond
Call upon the Eternal God (v 33; a phrase used only once in Genesis) as you pray for those who experience life as outsiders for whatever reason – for understanding, patience, truthfulness, courage. Pray too for those who, for whatever reason, neglect the ‘outsiders’.
Deeper Bible study
Worship God for his devotion to you as you journey in your Christian faith. Thank him that his devotion is not dependent on what you do, but on who he is.
Entering into a partnership or covenant with a person whom you have previously wronged may appear foolhardy. Yet Abraham demonstrates the integrity of the peacemaker in performing such an act. Abimelek recognised that God’s favour was upon Abraham (v 22). It is on that basis that he asks Abraham to make an oath of fair play – and Abraham agreed. Abraham also explained that Abimelek’s servants had wronged him. Nevertheless, Abraham wanted to be a blessing to Abimelek and he made peace with him. Abraham’s response to Abimelek was not a case of keeping peace, or peace at any price. It was a case of making peace with Abimelek in God’s name and living in peace with him despite past incidents. God is pleased when we make peace with others regardless of who is right or wrong.1
As Abraham journeys with God, a more thoughtful man is beginning to emerge. With a maturity exceeding that in previous encounters, Abraham did not retaliate by insisting that Abimelek should have known what his servants were doing. He displayed exceeding generosity in giving Abimelek sheep, oxen and lambs as he and Abimelek made a covenant together (vs 28–31). This was another test, stretching Abraham beyond previous encounters – all junctures of learning and preparation preceding the biggest test of his faith, which was yet to come.
What can we learn from the complex character and nature of Abraham, with his multiple flaws? Resisting the temptation to retaliate in verbal self-defence or refutation could be what is needed to be the peacemaker in a challenging situation or encounter, even if, as for Abraham, we may be culpable in some way. We are not defined by the challenging situations or people that we encounter, but by our responses to them.
Father, help me in my journey of faith to recognise that my responses to people and situations can help me to grow in Christlikeness.
1 Matt 5:9
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Judges 11,12; Psalms 42,43
Pray for Scripture Union
C4E, local mission partner in North Wales, is praising God for many openings in local schools and the Higher tour in the area, even though the tour can't happen 'in person' at the moment. Pray for wisdom and resources to make the most of every opportunity to engage with the children and young people of the area.
