Genesis 20-22; Matthew 6: 19-34

Genesis 20

1.      I’m struck again by the vulnerability of women in this context and era. Abraham had to ask Sarah to present herself as his sister, rather than as his wife. He did this to protect himself, but what about Sarah? What if Abimelek had taken advantage of her? His whole purpose was to sleep with her, after all, and he would’ve done so had God not stepped in. Reminds me of what we read some days ago in Matthew about women being forced into the position of ‘adulteress’ when their husbands divorced them with cruelty.

2.      God truly honors the marriage covenant, whether we do or not. Vs 3: ‘You are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken. She is a married woman.’ Whoa!!! And Abimelek instinctively knew that this 'near-sin' was not going to affect just him, but the entire nation! And he hadn’t even slept with the woman. God really meant business. 

       Vs 7: ‘(Abraham) will pray for you, and you will live. But if you do not return her, you may be sure that you and all who belong to you will die.’ This is so serious and deadly. Death penalty, not for sleeping with her, but for simply not returning her to her husband. 

       

       Vs 9: The guilt was not just upon Abimelek, but upon his entire kingdom. Plus, Abimelek's wife and female servants were all made barren!

I’ve read the other chapters and could say a lot about them, too, but this first chapter is enough food for thought for me today. An unconscious sin on one man’s part was enough to destroy his household and the whole nation. I know we’re under grace, but STILL. Let me chew on this.