“And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife’s sake.”
In this verse, Abraham is speaking to Abimelech, the king of Gerar, after a series of events that took place in Genesis chapter 20. To understand the context of this verse, let’s examine the preceding events:
Abraham and his wife Sarah traveled to Gerar, and Abraham feared that the people of Gerar would kill him because of Sarah’s beauty. In an attempt to protect himself, Abraham introduced Sarah as his sister, concealing the fact that she was his wife. Abimelech, being unaware of their marital relationship, took Sarah into his household.
However, God intervened in a dream and warned Abimelech that he was as good as dead because he had taken another man’s wife. Abimelech, who had not touched Sarah, pleaded his innocence before God. In response, God affirmed Abimelech’s integrity and instructed him to return Sarah to Abraham.
Now, let’s focus on Genesis 20:11 itself. Abraham is explaining his actions to Abimelech, justifying why he portrayed Sarah as his sister. He states, “Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife’s sake.”
This verse reveals several key points:
- Abraham’s perception of the people: Abraham believed that the inhabitants of Gerar lacked the fear of God. This suggests that he doubted their moral character and assumed they would act immorally or unjustly. Abraham’s fear led him to think that the people of Gerar would be willing to kill him in order to take Sarah for themselves.
- Abraham’s motivation: Abraham’s primary concern was the preservation of his own life. He believed that if the people of Gerar discovered that Sarah was his wife, they would kill him to eliminate any potential resistance or retaliation from him. Thus, his decision to present Sarah as his sister was driven by fear for his own safety.
- Abraham’s incomplete trust in God: Abraham’s actions in this instance reflect a lack of complete trust in God’s protection and provision. Despite God’s previous promises to bless him and make him a great nation, Abraham allowed fear to dictate his choices.
It is important to note that while Abraham’s actions were based on fear and a lack of trust in God, God still intervened to protect Sarah and maintain His covenant with Abraham. God’s faithfulness shines through despite Abraham’s shortcomings.
This verse serves as a reminder for believers to place their trust in God, even in challenging circumstances. It highlights the importance of seeking God’s guidance and relying on His promises rather than acting out of fear or doubt. Furthermore, it encourages us to remember that God is sovereign and can work in any situation, even when we falter or make poor decisions.
