10.27.26 – Sarah, Part 6

Have you ever stopped to consider how many times God has intervened in your life to keep you from committing a devastating sin against yourself, others, and Himself?

Abraham and his family are on the way to Gerar (Gen. 20:1). He is about to get a chance at being perfect (tamim) (Gen. 17:1). Once again, we have a royal individual who prizes Sarah's beauty. This time it is Abimelech (Gen. 20:2). And once again, she will take on the identity of Abraham's sister. Yes, old habits die hard.

Instead of claiming Sarah as his wife, Abraham pawns her off as his sister... what worked in the past should work again. Fortunately, God intervenes in a dream before any hoochie-koo PG-13 action takes place (Gen. 20:3–7). Once again, it appears in this lekh lekha journey of Abraham that Sarah is the pawn and another has moral integrity.

After the life-threatening dream (Gen. 20:8), Abimelech takes action and confronts Abraham, demanding the truth about Sarah, which Abraham really never gives (Gen. 20:9–13). Though the story centers on Abraham and Abimelech, we cannot overlook Sarah's role either, where she, for the sake of her husband's insecurity, proclaimed to Abimelech that "he is my brother" (Gen. 20:13). Ugh. Oh, the lies that are attached to sexual bonds. Fortunately, God's intervention and the king's reaction overturn the deception and the threat! But at what cost? Can we trust their words?

Why would Sarah continue on with the masquerade? Is she thinking, "I know God has promised me a child (Gen. 17:19; 18:10, 14), but Abe and I have not had a child; maybe the king and I can"? "Maybe the king can produce the pleasure that Abraham cannot" (Gen. 18:12)? Where is God in these decisions?

I ask myself, to myself, in my own life, the same questions... with hindsight.

I love how God intervenes! Truly, God wants Sarah to have a child with Abraham. However, He will wait until both are completely incapable in the flesh (Heb. 11:11–12).

It does not take much to see that we are like our ancestors in so many ways, striving to make things happen according to our current mindsets. It may not be in the area of sexuality, but for those of us who have not overcome our own insecurities compared to God's promises, there is the opportunity to walk perfectly (tamim) today and keep the journey of lekh lekha going until we become who He wants us to be!

Have a wonderful third day of the week!

Shalom,
Alan

www.lightintorah.org

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