“And it came to pass, when God caused me to wander from my father’s house, that I said unto her, This is thy kindness which thou shalt show unto me; at every place whither we shall come, say of me, He is my brother.”
In this verse, Abraham is speaking to Abimelech, the king of Gerar, after a series of events that took place in their interaction. To understand the context of this verse, let’s explore the broader narrative found in Genesis 20.
In Genesis 20, Abraham and his wife Sarah journeyed to Gerar, a city in the land of the Philistines. Abraham had a concern about Sarah’s beauty, thinking that the people of Gerar might kill him to take her, as she was a woman of great beauty. Therefore, he instructed Sarah to say that he was her brother, not her husband.
Abraham’s reasoning behind this deception can be understood in the cultural context of the time. In ancient times, it was not uncommon for powerful men to take attractive women into their harems or as wives, often without the consent of the woman’s husband. By saying that Sarah was his sister, Abraham hoped to protect his own life.
When Abraham and Sarah arrived in Gerar, as Abraham had feared, Sarah caught the attention of Abimelech, the king of Gerar. Abimelech took Sarah into his household, intending to make her his wife. However, before anything happened between them, God appeared to Abimelech in a dream and warned him that Sarah was Abraham’s wife and that he would be punished if he did not return her.
In response to God’s warning, Abimelech confronted Abraham about his deception. It is at this point, in Genesis 20:13, that Abraham explains his reasoning to Abimelech. Abraham acknowledges that God caused him to wander from his father’s house, meaning that it was due to divine providence and guidance that he found himself in Gerar. In this situation, Abraham believed that his life was in danger, and he saw no other way to protect himself but to present Sarah as his sister.
It is important to note that Abraham’s actions were not condoned by God, as we see in this narrative. While God had promised to protect and bless Abraham, Abraham’s fear led him to resort to deception. However, even in his imperfection, God’s grace and protection were evident, as God intervened to prevent Sarah from being defiled and punished Abimelech for his unintentional transgression.
This verse highlights the complexities of human nature, including the tendency to resort to deceptive means in times of fear or uncertainty. It also serves as a reminder that God’s plans and protection are not contingent upon our flawed actions. Despite Abraham’s mistake, God remained faithful to His promises and intervened in the situation to ensure that His plan for Abraham’s descendants would continue.
Overall, Genesis 20:13 provides insights into the human frailty and God’s mercy and sovereignty, showcasing both the consequences of human shortcomings and God’s ability to work through imperfect individuals to fulfill His purposes.
