What is sad are the times that our Father Abraham told people that his wife was his sister, in order to not have to worry about any consequences. He thought she was beautiful and that people would kill him for her sake. However, what he didn’t know is that God was protecting him and still he had to keep saying this to people. In Genesis, chapter 20, he told this to king Abimelech. Here is how that went down, “and Abraham journeyed from thence toward the south country, and dwelled between Kadesh and Shur, and sojourned in Gerar. And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah. But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man’s wife. But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, Lord, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation? Said he not unto me, She is my sister? and she, even she herself said, He is my brother: in the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands have I done this.” (Genesis 20:1-5) In this, he was telling the truth.
Technically, Sarah is Abraham’s half-sister, coming from his mother’s side. So he wasn’t entirely lying, just telling half-truths. This story continues with God speaking to Abimelech. “And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her. Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine. Therefore Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ears: and the men were sore afraid. Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said unto him, What hast thou done unto us? and what have I offended thee, that thou hast brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? thou hast done deeds unto me that ought not to be done.” (Genesis 20:6-9) Just like what happened here, people of the world often rebuke us when we are not aligning with our beliefs. Which often keeps us in check with God. Amen.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I thank You for this day. Only through Your hand was I able to accomplish the things that were needed. You are the author and finisher of my faith and I give You praise. I ask that You lead and guide me by the hand. Help me to not go outside Your will for my life. I know that people are watching me from the outside and waiting for me to make a mistake. Then, will they rebuke me, although they are also in sin. But this is for my good. Sometimes I need people to wake me up, in order for me to see the sinful state I am in. It surely means something different when I am found out about an addiction, bad habit, sin, or even false belief. I am just grateful that You are still using me when this happens. I openly admit that I am a sinner, and need Your forgiveness each day because of my sins. I am far from perfect, but what I am is someone who loves Your ways and hates what is evil. Therefore, I ask that You give me clean hands and a pure heart. Help me to love people as You love them. Help me show mercy the way You show me mercy. Help me to forgive as You forgive me. I love You, Lord. I trust in You. Amen.
