“The Faith of Abraham – 11” Genesis 20:1-18 12/13/2009 Dane Boyles

“The Faith of Abraham – 11” Our text on the life of Abraham reveals how God responds to our repeated failures. Are you discouraged by weaknesses that never go away? This text shows how God changes people by having us face our failures, even against our will at times.

“The Faith of Abraham – 11” God’s Word to Abimelech (20:1-7). Introduction: Deception Driven by Fear (20:1-2). 1 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,

“The Faith of Abraham – 11” 2 and there Abraham said of his wife Sarah, “She is my sister.” Then Abimelech king of Gerar sent for Sarah and took her. (Gen. 20:2)

“The Faith of Abraham – 11” The point here is Abraham’s dual failure. It also shows us God’s gracious determination to work through such failures to change people. Why do we seem so prone to failure, even after we have just experienced intimate fellowship with God?

“The Faith of Abraham – 11” Abimelech’s Dream (20:3-7). 3 But 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.” (Gen. 20:3)

“The Faith of Abraham – 11” For the first time in Scripture, God reveals himself to someone by means of a dream. 6 “Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, the LORD, shall make Myself known to him in a vision. I shall speak with him in a dream.” (Num 12:6)

“The Faith of Abraham – 11” 4 Now Abimelech 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.” (Gen. 20:4-5)

“The Faith of Abraham – 11” 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. (Gen. 20:6)

“The Faith of Abraham – 11” 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 yours will die.” (Gen. 20:7)

“The Faith of Abraham – 11” Had Abimelech touched Sarah, who was now pregnant with the holy seed in her womb, God would have killed him.

“The Faith of Abraham – 11” Abimelech Brings God’s Word to Abraham (20:8-13). Abimelech’s Charge to Abraham (20:8-10). 8 Early the next morning Abimelech summoned all his officials, and when he told them all that had happened, they were very much afraid.

“The Faith of Abraham – 11” 9 Then 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.” (Gen. 20:9)

“The Faith of Abraham – 11” 10 And Abimelech asked Abraham, “What was your reason for doing this?” (Gen. 20:10) Abimelech has every right to be livid with anger. Shame has silenced Abraham.

“The Faith of Abraham – 11” Abraham’s Defense to Abimelech (20:11-13). 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.’

“The Faith of Abraham – 11” 12 Besides, she really is my sister, the daughter of my father though not of my mother; and she became my wife. (Gen. 20:12)

“The Faith of Abraham – 11” 13 And 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.” ’ ” (Gen. 20:13)

“The Faith of Abraham – 11” Abraham’s sheepish excuses for his inexcusable behavior. He thought there was no fear of God in Gerar. What he said was really not a lie, it was merely a half-truth.

“The Faith of Abraham – 11” This had been Abraham’s standard operating procedure since the time God “caused him to wander” from his father’s house. The real problem is that Abraham fears men more than God.

“The Faith of Abraham – 11” The Restoration of Relationships (20:14-18). Sarah Restored as a Wife (20:14-16). 14 Then Abimelech brought sheep and cattle and male and female slaves and gave them to Abraham, and he returned Sarah his wife to him.

“The Faith of Abraham – 11” 15 And Abimelech said, “My land is before you; live wherever you like.” (Gen. 20:15)

“The Faith of Abraham – 11” 16 To 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.” (Gen. 20:16)

“The Faith of Abraham – 11” Abraham Restored as a Prophet (20:17-18). 17 Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, his wife and his slave girls so they could have children again, (Gen. 20:17)

“The Faith of Abraham – 11” 18 for the LORD had closed up every womb in Abimelech’s household because of Abraham’s wife Sarah. And Abraham prayed to God; and God healed Abimelech and his wife and his maids, so that they bore children. For the LORD had closed fast all the wombs of the household of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham’s wife. (20:18)

“The Faith of Abraham – 11” We might think that, having committing the same offence twice, Abraham would be disqualified for future ministry. This is God’s grace at work!

“The Faith of Abraham – 11” Lessons from Gerar. The Nature of Our Weakness. We see the frailty of our humanity. We are still prone to weakness.

“The Faith of Abraham – 11” Though we may be weak, God is faithful, and he is stronger than our weaknesses.

“The Faith of Abraham – 11” The Nature of God’s Grace. God doesn’t give up on Abraham. God is the master of mirrors. The gifts and calling of God are irrevocable.

“The Faith of Abraham – 11” 7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. (Psa. 139:7-8)

“The Faith of Abraham – 11” 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. (Psa. 139:9-10)

“The Faith of Abraham – 11” Genesis 20:1-18 12/13/2009 Dr. Dane Boyles