“Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine.”
This verse is part of the account of Abraham and Sarah’s encounter with Abimelech, the king of Gerar. In this passage, Abimelech had taken Sarah, who was Abraham’s wife, into his household under the assumption that she was merely Abraham’s sister. God intervenes through a dream and warns Abimelech of the situation. Let’s explore the significance of this verse and its context.
Context: Abraham and Sarah had journeyed to Gerar because of a famine in the land of Canaan. Out of fear, Abraham presented Sarah as his sister to Abimelech, as he had done before with Pharaoh in Egypt (Genesis 12:10-20). However, God reveals the truth to Abimelech in a dream and warns him of the consequences.
Abimelech’s Response: In response to the warning from God, Abimelech approaches Abraham and questions him about his deception. In verse 7, Abimelech acknowledges that Abraham is a prophet, indicating his recognition of Abraham’s special relationship with God and the ability to communicate God’s messages. Abimelech acknowledges his error in taking Sarah as his wife and requests that she be returned to Abraham.
Prayer for Restoration: The verse states that Abraham, being a prophet, will pray for Abimelech, and as a result, Abimelech and his household will live. This indicates the significance and power of Abraham’s prayers and his role as a mediator between God and humanity.
Warning of Consequences: The verse ends with a warning from God to Abimelech. If he fails to restore Sarah to Abraham, he will face certain death, along with all that belongs to him. This emphasizes the seriousness of the situation and the importance of obedience to God’s instructions.
This passage demonstrates several key themes found throughout the Bible, including the consequences of deception, the significance of prayer and intercession, and the sovereignty of God. It also highlights the importance of recognizing and acknowledging God’s messengers and their role in communicating God’s will.
Overall, Genesis 20:7 serves as a reminder of the power of prayer and the need for obedience to God’s commands. It showcases Abraham’s prophetic role and demonstrates God’s intervention in the affairs of humanity to ensure His purposes are fulfilled.
