Take Two: Genesis 20, Prov 11

This is posted late. I read it yesterday but was jammed for time during the day...and brain fried at night. Sorry it is late.

Gen 20 details the second incident of Abraham's deception over the identity of his wife. To Abimelech he declared Sarah to be his sister (Gen 20:1-2). The lie did not work out so good last time but it was tried again. Abimelech took Sarah to be his wife but never consumated the marriage (Gen 20:6); rather, God came to him in a dream and told him that she was already married. God brought a plague against the house of Abimelech (Gen 20:18) and told him that he would die because he had taken Sarah to be his wife (Gen 20:3). Abimelech pled his case and stated that his actions were wrong but that he had not purposed to do evil (Gen 20:5).

Abimelech's only hope was to return Sarah, confront Abraham and ask for him (Abraham) to pray for him for God's mercy. Abraham justified his deception in two ways...neither of which mitigate against the deception. These are not excuses for his actions, only explanations. First, Abraham was afraid that Abimelech would kill him and take Sarah as his wife. Thsi same fear is what motivated the previous deception. Second, Abraham rationalized his actions by stating it was only a half-lie...since Sarah was his half-sister (Gen 20:11-12). Abraham had Sarah's agreement to maintain this deception wherever they wandered (Gen 20:13). Abimelech made a payment of restitution to Abraham to "right" the "wrong" which he had unintentionally done (Gen 20:14-16). Abraham then prayed for God to lift the curse on Abimelech's house, which he did (Gen 20:17).

As we read this it is difficult to grasp all of the implications of the text. Why did God bless Abraham even though he was deceptive? Why did God protect Sarah in the harem and appear to Abimelech in the dream? Why did Abraham marry his half-sister to start with?

Some of our reaction is due to the cultural differences between then and now. Not that is was right or wrong...but what was culturally acceptable in Abraham's day is different than we consider acceptable today. Here are two possible motivations for this encounter from my perspective.

First, this was another time when God would strengthen Abraham's faith. Faith is not a light switch which you turn on and off. It is a process and a journey. It is strengthen through opportunities to exercise it.
Second, it was a time for God to show Abimelech how powerful the God of Abraham really is! I guarantee that many heard of this event in the day and the God of Abraham was revered as a powerful god...even if He was not looked to as the God! (Consider Rahab's response to the spies in Joshua 2, for a parallel of this idea).

God acted kindly toward Abraham due to grace and not due to merit. This was the basis of Abraham's initial calling and is the same basis for our standing before God today. So, rather than critique Abraham's lack of faith, I choose to thank God for His continuing mercy toward men like Abraham and me!

Proverbs 11:8 is the takeaway. As I read this I was once again reminded that God is the avenger and protector of the righteous. We may not always see the how or when, but God cares for the righteous and exercises judgment toward the wicked.