Genesis 21:22 At that time Abimelek and Phicol the commander of his forces said to Abraham, “God is with you in everything you do.
I’m left feeling a bit wrong-footed in today’s verses because this Abraham is so different from the Abraham we see in the last chapter. That Abraham did not trust God and lied about Sarah being his sister. This Abraham is so changed that Abimelek (the designation Abimelek, commentary tells me, is a title and not a name. This is a different Abimelek) can tell that God is with him.
Genesis 21:23-24 Now swear to me here before God that you will not deal falsely with me or my children or my descendants. Show to me and the country where you now reside as a foreigner the same kindness I have shown to you.” Abraham said, “I swear it.”
And while I would have loved to have seen how Abraham changed so significantly, the fact that he went from so distrustful that he acts in ways that allow pagan kings to honestly rebuke him to so trusting that pagan kings can tell just by looking that God is with him, it gives me hope that Abraham was able to make that change. There’s hope for me, too.
Genesis 21:25 Then Abraham complained to Abimelek about a well of water that Abimelek’s servants had seized.
Precious Savior, You know I struggle with trust. I know You love me beyond measure. I know that I cause myself so much anxiety with my fretting and mistrust. Help me to lay all my burdens at Your feet and wrap myself in Your peace. I know I can trust You. I KNOW it. Help me LIVE it. Amen.
Genesis 21:26 But Abimelek said, “I don’t know who has done this. You did not tell me, and I heard about it only today.”
Have a blessed day.