7.    Abimelech – chapter 20

 

Read 1-2. 

 

Gerar: between Gaza and Beersheba.  Abraham was no longer living in the vicinity of Hebron.  No reason is given why he moved after living for 20 years in one place.  It has been suggested that a possible reason might be that the Hittites (cf. Gn 23) had invaded the area, and that Abraham moved in order to find greater security for himself and his household. 

 

Respond to the critical comment:  “It’s unreasonable that Abraham would have repeated his earlier sin.”  (each has pet sins that return to)

 

Consider this sin in view of Genesis 18:14 Is anything too hard for the LORD ? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son."

 

What does this show us about the rights and power of the king in those days, and also the role of women?  (didn’t seem to have much say . . . king could take a woman he liked if not married.)

What was the purpose of a harem?  (political alliances / Abraham was rich / status / custom.)

 

Read 3-7.  Why did God threaten so drastically?  (if He hadn’t the line of the Savior would have been disturbed.)

            Note in vs. 6 how God . . . (can read the heart and the conscience.)

            What doubts might still plague us today if God had not intervened?  (uncertain if Isaac was actually Abimelech’s seed.)

Note also the intimate detail with which God surrounded the story of our redemption.

Matthew 1:18, 25 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.  But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

Luke 1:34 "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"

 

What tells us this was no ordinary dream?  (is able to answer the LORD.)

 

This is the first time the word “prophet” is used in Scripture.  Here the function of the prophet emphasized is . . . (connection with God – able to pray for him.)

Read 8-13.  Why is Abraham’s guilt here greater than at the time of the incident in Egypt in Genesis 12?  (promise of Savior / 2nd time.)

How did Abraham seek to excuse himself?  (she is his sister.)

What did his excuses show?  (still excused his sin.)

What responsibility would you place on Sarah in this, if any?  (she went along with it; agreed with it; said nothing.)

Analyze the thought process of Abraham’s reasoning with Sarah in vs. 13.  (prove your love to me by saying you are my sister?) (prove your love by DENYING who you are?  NOT WAY OF CROSS.)

Matthew 16:24-25  "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.

 

Read 14-18.  Why would Abimelech respond this way after being lied to? (because he was still afraid – according to vs. 16 – to vindicate himself of what he had done.)

What gentle irony do you see in vs. 16?  (“your brother”)

What does the expression “God healed Abimelech” imply about the nature of God’s punishment?  (was probably connected to the  sexual organs.) 

“closed up every womb”  = (more than just unable to have children – wouldn’t have known for 9 mos. – seems to have been a physical closing of some sort.)

Note the name of the LORD in vs. 18.   (faithful LORD takes care of Abraham – really shows his FAITHFULNESS in the background of what Abraham is doing here.)