Chapter 20 Another great example! Wait . . .

Chapter 20 1Now Abraham moved on from there into the region of the Negev and lived between Kadesh and Shur. For a while he stayed in Gerar, Perhaps the devastation of the cities and surrounding plain might have made the land poor for raising cattle.

Chapter 20 1Now Abraham moved on from there into the region of the Negev and lived between Kadesh and Shur. For a while he stayed in Gerar, 2and there Abraham said of his wife Sarah, “She is my sister.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Genesis 12:10-20, about 25 years earlier Chapter 20 1Now Abraham moved on from there into the region of the Negev and lived between Kadesh and Shur. For a while he stayed in Gerar, 2and there Abraham said of his wife Sarah, “She is my sister.” Then Abimelech king of Gerar sent for Sarah and took her. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Genesis 12:10-20, about 25 years earlier Possible financial and security advantages for Abraham, Inc. (Sarah is 90) Abimelech is greedy here. Perhaps a bully . . . (As probably Abraham and Sarah are) How committed are Abraham and Sarah to the promise, recently given, of the son? (This is really odd . . . )

~ Abraham’s plans for safety ~ Abimelech’s plans for success Chapter 20 3But God came to Abimelech 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.” Note God’s protection in spite of Abraham’s (and Sarah’s) lack of trust. Perhaps a great prayer request is to save us from ourselves and our own plans and desires. ~ Abraham’s plans for safety ~ Abimelech’s plans for success ~ My plans for security and success

This is an applicational tangent . . . Chapter 20 3But God came to Abimelech 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.” Note God’s protection in spite of Abraham’s (and Sarah’s) lack of trust. “I am going to plot and scheme with hopefully decent results.” versus I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. “ This is an applicational tangent . . .

Chapter 20 Jeremiah 29:10-14 10This is what the LORD says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. 11For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”

You have to be patient. The instant is rare. Chapter 20 Jeremiah 29:10-14 10This is what the LORD says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. 11For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” You have to be patient. The instant is rare.

You have to be patient. The instant is rare. Chapter 20 Jeremiah 29:10-14 10This is what the LORD says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. 11For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” You have to be patient. The instant is rare. God alone is to trigger the necessary events.

The outcome is excellent and restorative. Chapter 20 Jeremiah 29:10-14 10This is what the LORD says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. 11For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” The outcome is excellent and restorative.

Remember Deuteronomy 6 and Matthew 6:33. Chapter 20 Jeremiah 29:10-14 10This is what the LORD says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. 11For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” Remember Deuteronomy 6 and Matthew 6:33.

It is not that God is hiding, but rather that we aren’t looking. Chapter 20 Jeremiah 29:10-14 10This is what the LORD says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. 11For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” It is not that God is hiding, but rather that we aren’t looking. (or looking elsewhere)

You should not expect to like everything. Chapter 20 Jeremiah 29:10-14 10This is what the LORD says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. 11For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” You should not expect to like everything.

Do we really want what God has for us? Chapter 20 Jeremiah 29:10-14 10This is what the LORD says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. 11For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” Do we really want what God has for us?

Chapter 20 3But God came to Abimelech 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.” 4Now Abimelech had not gone near her, so he said, “Lord, will you destroy an innocent nation? 5Did 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.” Abimelech (possibly a title rather than a name) had no adulterous intent. (This was “the great sin” culturally.)

Chapter 20 3But God came to Abimelech 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.” 4Now Abimelech had not gone near her, so he said, “Lord, will you destroy an innocent nation? 5Did 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.” 6Then 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. 7Now 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 yours will die.”

Envoy, speaker for God, and you have messed up regarding him! Chapter 20 3But God came to Abimelech 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.” 4Now Abimelech had not gone near her, so he said, “Lord, will you destroy an innocent nation? 5Did 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.” 6Then 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. 7Now 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 yours will die.” Envoy, speaker for God, and you have messed up regarding him! Hassling God’s people is a bad idea.

Chapter 20 8Early the next morning Abimelech summoned all his officials, and when he told them all that had happened, they were very much afraid. 9Then Abimelech 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 not be done.” 10And Abimelech asked Abraham, “What was your reason for doing this?” In spite of Abraham’s lousy example, God still reveals his power and character.

Some follower of God you are! What is the matter with you! Chapter 20 8Early the next morning Abimelech summoned all his officials, and when he told them all that had happened, they were very much afraid. 9Then Abimelech 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 not be done.” 10And Abimelech asked Abraham, “What was your reason for doing this?” Some follower of God you are! What is the matter with you!

Chapter 20 8Early the next morning Abimelech summoned all his officials, and when he told them all that had happened, they were very much afraid. 9Then Abimelech 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 not be done.” 10And Abimelech asked Abraham, “What was your reason for doing this?”

It is sort of your fault, because you are a pagan, after all. Chapter 20 11Abraham replied, “I said to myself, ‘There is surely no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.’ 12Besides, she really is my sister, the daughter of my father though not of my mother; and she became my wife. 13And when God had me 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.” ’ ” It is sort of your fault, because you are a pagan, after all. Your corruption made me deceive you.

It is sort of your fault, because you are a pagan, after all. Chapter 20 11Abraham replied, “I said to myself, ‘There is surely no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.’ 12Besides, she really is my sister, the daughter of my father though not of my mother; and she became my wife. 13And when God had me 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.” ’ ” It is sort of your fault, because you are a pagan, after all. And my God really isn’t able to protect me all that much. Not that I remember when he didn’t, but still . . . )

It is sort of your fault, because you are a pagan, after all. Chapter 20 11Abraham replied, “I said to myself, ‘There is surely no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.’ 12Besides, she really is my sister, the daughter of my father though not of my mother; and she became my wife. 13And when God had me 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.” ’ ” It is sort of your fault, because you are a pagan, after all. And my God really isn’t able to protect me all that much. I didn’t really do anything wrong, technically. I didn’t lie . . .

It is sort of your fault, because you are a pagan, after all. Chapter 20 11Abraham replied, “I said to myself, ‘There is surely no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.’ 12Besides, she really is my sister, the daughter of my father though not of my mother; and she became my wife. 13And when God had me 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.” ’ ” It is sort of your fault, because you are a pagan, after all. And my God really isn’t able to protect me all that much. I didn’t really do anything wrong, technically It is sort of God’s fault, this wandering and all.

Pathetic Understanding of God Panentheism? (Is God local?) Chapter 20 11Abraham replied, “I said to myself, ‘There is surely no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.’ 12Besides, she really is my sister, the daughter of my father though not of my mother; and she became my wife. 13And when God had me 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.” ’ ” Pathetic Understanding of God Panentheism? (Is God local?) Finite Godism (Is God limited?) We do need to keep in mind that there is not a defined theology at this point except what God has communicated directly.

Abraham seems to get away with the deception. Chapter 20 14Then Abimelech brought sheep and cattle and male and female slaves and gave them to Abraham, and he returned Sarah his wife to him. 15And Abimelech said, “My land is before you; live wherever you like.” Abraham seems to get away with the deception. Loss of a trading partner as well as a bad reputation, which would effect further trading with others. Abimelech, probably a bully, does get put in his place. grasps accountability to God, and fully repents. and perhaps, understands Sovereignty better than Abraham here. Live where ever (else) you like.

Note the slam here: “brother” Chapter 20 14Then Abimelech brought sheep and cattle and male and female slaves and gave them to Abraham, and he returned Sarah his wife to him. 15And Abimelech said, “My land is before you; live wherever you like.” 16To Sarah he said, “I am giving your brother a thousand shekels of silver. This is to cover the offense against you before all who are with you; you are completely vindicated.” Note the slam here: “brother” Abimelech gives Abraham the bride-price, and returns Sarah. This act implies his ignorance of Sarah’s status. Abimelech regards Sarah as faultless in this.

Sarah’s sojourn must have been for at least a few months . . . Chapter 20 14Then Abimelech brought sheep and cattle and male and female slaves and gave them to Abraham, and he returned Sarah his wife to him. 15And Abimelech said, “My land is before you; live wherever you like.” 16To Sarah he said, “I am giving your brother a thousand shekels of silver. This is to cover the offense against you before all who are with you; you are completely vindicated.” 17Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, his wife and his slave girls so they could have children again, 18for the LORD had closed up every womb in Abimelech’s household because of Abraham’s wife Sarah. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sarah’s sojourn must have been for at least a few months . . . Some commentators believe that this was a problem with the men, seeing that Abimelech needed healing.

Our conduct in the world reflects our theology. ~ Live who Christ is Chapter 20 Applications: Our conduct in the world reflects our theology. ~ Live who Christ is ~ Leave Panentheism Psalm 139 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.

Our conduct in the world reflects our theology. ~ Live who Christ is Chapter 20 Applications: Our conduct in the world reflects our theology. ~ Live who Christ is ~ Leave Panentheism Does God reveal himself to “sinners”? ~ sometimes in spite of us (Cut down on “in spite of”) Learn to actually trust God, rather than yourself. ~ trust God to provide for you Kerith and Jerub-Baal

Our conduct in the world reflects our theology. ~ Live who Christ is Chapter 20 Applications: Our conduct in the world reflects our theology. ~ Live who Christ is ~ Leave Panentheism Does God reveal himself to “sinners”? ~ sometimes in spite of us (Cut down on “in spite of”) Learn to actually trust God, rather than yourself. ~ trust God to provide for you ~ beware the schemes that you have for you

Our conduct in the world reflects our theology. ~ Live who Christ is Chapter 20 Applications: Our conduct in the world reflects our theology. ~ Live who Christ is ~ Leave Panentheism Does God reveal himself to “sinners”? ~ sometimes in spite of us (Cut down on “in spite of”) Learn to actually trust God, rather than yourself. ~ trust God to provide for you ~ beware the schemes that others have for you

Psalm 37:3-6 Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.