Slices
Prepare
On Good Friday, Jesus’ disciples’ perception of themselves changed. They became followers of a failed and dead leader. Two days later, everything changed again. What events in your life have made a shift in who you think you are?
Bible passage
Abraham and Abimelek
20 Now Abraham moved on from there into the region of the Negev and lived between Kadesh and Shur. For a while he stayed in Gerar, 2 and there Abraham said of his wife Sarah, ‘She is my sister.’ Then Abimelek king of Gerar sent for Sarah and took her.
3 But God came to Abimelek in a dream one night and said to him, ‘You are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken; she is a married woman.’
4 Now Abimelek had not gone near her, so he said, ‘Lord, will you destroy an innocent nation? 5 Did he not say to me, “She is my sister,” and didn’t she also say, “He is my brother”? I have done this with a clear conscience and clean hands.’
6 Then God said to him in the dream, ‘Yes, I know you did this with a clear conscience, and so I have kept you from sinning against me. That is why I did not let you touch her. 7 Now return the man’s wife, for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you will live. But if you do not return her, you may be sure that you and all who belong to you will die.’
8 Early the next morning Abimelek summoned all his officials, and when he told them all that had happened, they were very much afraid. 9 Then Abimelek called Abraham in and said, ‘What have you done to us? How have I wronged you that you have brought such great guilt upon me and my kingdom? You have done things to me that should never be done.’ 10 And Abimelek asked Abraham, ‘What was your reason for doing this?’
11 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.” 12 Besides, she really is my sister, the daughter of my father though not of my mother; and she became my wife. 13 And when God caused me to 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.’”’
14 Then Abimelek brought sheep and cattle and male and female slaves and gave them to Abraham, and he returned Sarah his wife to him. 15 And Abimelek said, ‘My land is before you; live wherever you like.’
16 To Sarah he said, ‘I am giving your brother a thousand shekels of silver. This is to cover the offence against you before all who are with you; you are completely vindicated.’
17 Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelek, his wife and his female slaves so they could have children again, 18 for the Lord had kept all the women in Abimelek’s household from conceiving because of Abraham’s wife Sarah.
Explore
On his travels Abraham moves to Gerar, Philistine territory which was never settled by God’s people. He assumes the people here don’t worship the true God, so presents himself as Sarah’s brother – technically true but not their prime relationship. It was an act of fearful deceit, and not for the first time either (see 12:10–20)!
How strange that in a dream God converses with King Abimelek, who appears morally upright and certainly respectful of Abraham’s God. We might have expected him to banish Abraham. Why then did Abimelek reward him as he does, including the public compensatory gift for Sarah, who in his eyes has been abused (v 16)? Was this to humiliate her husband?
This is a sordid story, made interesting by seeing God communicate with and even bless those who are outside the covenant. Abraham took on a false identity from lack of trust in God. In new situations, feeling insecure, we too may take the risk of twisting the truth to make ourselves more acceptable.
Respond
Pray for anyone you know moving into a new situation, including Christian 11-year-olds who are preparing to start secondary school. Pray that they may trust God, being true to who they are as young followers of Christ.
Deeper Bible study
‘Save me, Lord, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues.’1 ‘Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.’2
Have you ever told a white lie to prevent hurting someone’s feelings, or maybe one to preserve yourself? Abraham lied because he feared death (v 11).3 Even though God had given him seven incredible promises,4 he had doubts about his future. Fear and insecurity precipitated his deception. Abraham lied because he did not trust God to protect him. His fears also caused him to be judgemental. He misjudged Abimelek, not recognising him to be a God-fearing man (v 11).
Sarah was indeed Abraham’s half-sister (v 12). In his mercy, God revealed the truth to Abimelek about Abraham and Sarah’s relationship (vs 3–7). God wanted the best for Abraham. His best was the child of promise. God’s intervention prevented adultery with Sarah, meaning there was no doubt about Isaac’s lineage, a factor crucial to Israel’s long-term history. Abraham’s actions were wrong, as deception was his intention. Yet when confronted by Abimelek, Abraham confessed (vs 12,13) and order was restored (v 17).
A half-truth is not the whole truth; if deception is the intention, then it is still a lie. Lies are not merely the words that are spoken; they can be a reflection of the condition of the heart. As with Abraham, lies of self-preservation are spoken out of fear and insecurity: fear, that God might want to punish; insecurity, heightened in the apparent need to protect oneself. Is there a situation where fear and insecurity hinder you from telling the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth? As you repent and receive God’s forgiveness, confront that situation by speaking the whole truth – and witness God redeem the situation to your benefit and his glory. God can be trusted with your life.
Read Psalm 139, inviting God to search your heart. Repent, receive forgiveness and be restored, recalling his promises to you.
1 Ps 120:2 2 Ps 63:3 3 Cf Gen 12:13 4 Gen 12:1–3
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Judges 7,8; Proverbs 3,4
Pray for Scripture Union
Scripture Union in Australia’s Northern Territory thanks God that they are still able to teach the Bible in schools. Pray for teachers and volunteers who faithfully serve each week and pray that God will raise up more volunteers.
