“So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children.”
This verse is part of the account in Genesis 20, where Abraham and Sarah journeyed to Gerar. There, Abraham, out of fear for his life, presented Sarah as his sister rather than his wife to Abimelech, the king of Gerar. Unaware of their true relationship, Abimelech took Sarah into his household. However, before Abimelech could have any intimate relations with her, God appeared to him in a dream, warning him of the mistake he was about to make.
Abimelech pleaded his innocence, explaining that he had acted in good faith and with a blameless heart. God acknowledged Abimelech’s integrity and instructed him to return Sarah to Abraham and pray for Abraham’s intercession on his behalf. If Abimelech did as instructed, God assured him that he would be spared from death.
Genesis 20:17 captures the outcome of Abraham’s prayer on behalf of Abimelech and his household. It says that Abraham prayed to God, and as a result of his prayer, God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his maidservants. Moreover, the verse adds that they were then able to bear children.
This verse demonstrates a few significant aspects:
- Abraham’s role as an intercessor: Abraham, known as the father of faith, serves as an intercessor for Abimelech. Despite the fear and deception surrounding Abraham’s actions, he still reached out to God on behalf of the king and his household. Abraham’s prayer highlights his close relationship with God and his willingness to advocate for others.
- God’s mercy and healing: God responded to Abraham’s prayer and displayed mercy towards Abimelech and his household. Despite Abimelech’s unintentional error, God chose to extend His healing power. This act reveals God’s willingness to forgive and bless those who repent and seek His intervention.
- God’s faithfulness to His promises: The fact that Abimelech and his wife were able to bear children after God’s intervention shows God’s faithfulness to His promise of blessing Abraham. In Genesis 17:16, God promised Abraham that Sarah would give birth to a son, Isaac. In this context, it is noteworthy that Abimelech’s ability to bear children aligns with God’s covenant with Abraham.
Overall, Genesis 20:17 highlights the power of prayer, God’s mercy, and His faithfulness to His promises. It emphasizes the importance of seeking God’s intervention on behalf of others and serves as a reminder of God’s desire to bless and heal those who turn to Him in repentance and faith.
