Genesis 20:1-2 Now Abraham moved on from there into the region of the Negev and lived between Kadesh and Shur. For a while he stayed in Gerar, and there Abraham said of his wife Sarah, “She is my sister.” Then Abimelek king of Gerar sent for Sarah and took her.
This is the second time in the book of Genesis that Abraham has lied about Sarah being his sister. Back in chapter 12 when the famine was raging and they fled to Egypt, he did the same thing. Then, it was because he didn’t want to be killed so that Sarah could be married to an Egyptian. We don’t yet know why he tells this particular lie again.
Genesis 20:3 But God came to Abimelek in a dream one night and said to him, “You are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken; she is a married woman.”
In my heart, though, I know why Abraham lies again: He is afraid. He doesn’t fully trust God, even though he wants to. He is doing what he can to ensure that things turn out ok. I know this because I do this so very often. I DO trust God, but I am so very afraid, so I try to do things to protect myself and the situation. I’m just “helping,” not “distrusting.” I promise. (Help me, Jesus.)
Genesis 20:4 Now Abimelek had not gone near her, so he said, “Lord, will you destroy an innocent nation?
Precious Savior, You know my struggle with fear, bitterness, anger. You know my extreme Type A tendencies (plan, replan, back up plan, contingency plan). You also know my heart. Forgive me when I, like Abraham, once again try to take things into my own hands because of that fear. Help me lay my fear, anger, and bitterness at Your feet. Amen.
Genesis 20:5 Did he not say to me, ‘She is my sister,’ and didn’t she also say, ‘He is my brother’? I have done this with a clear conscience and clean hands.”
Have a blessed day.