“And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah.”
This verse is a part of the narrative in Genesis where Abraham and Sarah encounter a king named Abimelech in the land of Gerar. This incident occurs after God had promised Abraham and Sarah that they would have a son, Isaac, despite Sarah’s barrenness.
In this verse, Abraham introduces Sarah as his sister rather than his wife. This is not the first time Abraham resorts to this deception. In Genesis 12:10-20, a similar incident takes place when Abraham and Sarah enter Egypt, where he also presents her as his sister. The reason behind Abraham’s actions is not explicitly stated in Genesis 20:2, but it may be inferred that he feared for his life. By presenting Sarah as his sister, he hoped to avoid being killed by those who might desire her as a wife.
However, the consequences of Abraham’s deception are evident in the subsequent verses. Abimelech takes Sarah into his household, but God intervenes and warns him in a dream about his impending death because Sarah is already married. Abimelech pleads his innocence, explaining that he took Sarah believing her to be Abraham’s sister. God accepts Abimelech’s plea and instructs him to return Sarah to Abraham. Additionally, God afflicts Abimelech and his household with infertility until Sarah is returned to her husband.
This incident serves to demonstrate God’s protection of His covenant with Abraham and Sarah. Despite Abraham’s lack of trust and resorting to deception, God intervenes to preserve the integrity of His plan. It also highlights the consequences of Abraham’s actions and the potential harm they could have caused.
Overall, Genesis 20:2 presents a significant episode in Abraham and Sarah’s journey, showcasing both their flawed human nature and God’s faithfulness in upholding His promises despite their shortcomings.
