QT 9/18/2025 Gen 20:8-18, Don't give up

Genesis 20:8–18 (ESV) —

8 So Abimelech rose early in the morning and called all his servants and told them all these things. And the men were very much afraid. 9 Then Abimelech called Abraham and said to him, “What have you done to us? And how have I sinned against you, that you have brought on me and my kingdom a great sin? You have done to me things that ought not to be done.” 10 And Abimelech said to Abraham, “What did you see, that you did this thing?” 11 Abraham said, “I did it because I thought, ‘There is no fear of God at all in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.’ 12 Besides, she is indeed my sister, the daughter of my father though not the daughter of my mother, and she became my wife. 13 And when God caused me to wander from my father’s house, I said to her, ‘This is the kindness you must do me: at every place to which we come, say of me, “He is my brother.” ’ ”

14 Then Abimelech took sheep and oxen, and male servants and female servants, and gave them to Abraham, and returned Sarah his wife to him. 15 And Abimelech said, “Behold, my land is before you; dwell where it pleases you.” 16 To Sarah he said, “Behold, I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver. It is a sign of your innocence in the eyes of all who are with you, and before everyone you are vindicated.” 17 Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, and also healed his wife and female slaves so that they bore children. 18 For the Lord had closed all the wombs of the house of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham’s wife.

 

NOTE: It is really sad when the men of the world show more morality than the people of God. That is usually not the case, but it does still happen. Abraham had some reason to fear Abimelech, or at least some of the city leaders. Once again, Abraham does seem to prosper financially from the event. Abraham uses a human justification, i.e., "I didn't really lie," in his defense. It is deceitful. It is the way the world acts, not the way a man of God should act. If not for God's intervention, His plan to bless the world through Abraham would be ended.

 

It is important to remember that after the birth of Abraham's miracle son, Abraham never falters. He really does live by faith, but at this point, he does not seem to be much of an example, except for an example of fallen man.

 

What is the takeaway? We never fall so much or so often as to be a failure in God's eyes. He sees us. He sees our failures. He forgives us. We can start over every time. One of my favorite verses reminds me of this every time.

 

Lamentations 3:22–23 (ESV) —

22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;

his mercies never come to an end;

23 they are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness.

 

PONDER:

1. Am I going through a period of discouragement because I feel like a failure? Each morning is new. Each morning there is mercy.
2. Abraham was honored for his faith, but it didn't mean he always exercised faith. I am a son of God too. Do I appreciate his never ending love for me?

 

PRAYER: Father, thank you for growth. I am not perfect, but each day I will seek you. I will fail at times, but I know I am never rejected by you. Thank you for grace and mercy.