“And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her.”
This verse is part of the account of Abraham’s encounter with Abimelech, the king of Gerar, regarding Sarah, Abraham’s wife. Abraham had introduced Sarah as his sister, fearing that the people of Gerar would kill him to take her because of her beauty. However, God intervened to protect Sarah and prevent any harm from coming to her.
In this verse, we see that God spoke to Abimelech in a dream. God reassured Abimelech that he knew he had acted with integrity in taking Sarah, believing her to be Abraham’s sister. God acknowledged that Abimelech had not sinned against Him in this matter, despite the misunderstanding. Moreover, God declared that He had deliberately prevented Abimelech from touching Sarah, indicating His divine intervention in the situation.
This verse reveals several important aspects of God’s character and His involvement in human affairs:
- Omniscience: God, being all-knowing, recognized Abimelech’s innocence and his unknowingly misguided action. This highlights God’s perfect understanding of human intentions and circumstances.
- Divine intervention: God actively intervened in this situation to protect Sarah and prevent Abimelech from sinning against Him. It shows God’s sovereignty and His willingness to intervene in the lives of individuals to accomplish His purposes.
- Integrity and righteousness: Although Abimelech unknowingly took another man’s wife, God recognized the integrity in his heart. This demonstrates that God considers a person’s intentions and motives, taking into account their heart, even when their actions may be misguided.
- Protection of His chosen ones: God’s intervention ensured the safety and well-being of Sarah, who was a key figure in the fulfillment of God’s covenant with Abraham. It underscores God’s commitment to safeguarding His chosen people and fulfilling His promises.
In summary, Genesis 20:6 reveals God’s omniscience, His active involvement in human affairs, His recognition of integrity and righteousness, and His commitment to protecting His chosen ones. It reminds us that God sees beyond our actions and considers the intentions of our hearts, and that He is actively working behind the scenes to fulfill His purposes and ensure the well-being of His people.
