THE DIVINE VIEW -- Monday:
" Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live" (Genesis 20:7)
Abraham is a prince among men; a person who rises above men and women of all generations. He is the only man in all of history that was called "the friend of God" (James 2:23; 2 Chron 20:7; Isa 41:8). Showing their high elevation, Jesus called His Apostles collectively "My friends" (John 15:13)–but only Abraham was singled out as a solitary person so designated. He is also called "the father of us all" because of his pioneering faith (Rom 4:16). He is the first person on record who had righteousness imputed to Him (Rom 4:16-22), and the first person of whom it was said, he "believed" (Gen 15:6).
Notwithstanding these unparalleled distinctions–Divine distinctions–Abraham has suffered criticisms from would-be representatives of the Lord. Mind you, these men have spoken derogatorily of Abraham even though God Almighty has not done so. Surely their brashness is recorded in the books of heaven, and they will unquestionably give an account for their derisive speech.
One occasion that has been extensively reviewed by religious sophists is the time when Abraham counseled Sarah to say she was his sister. How often I have heard tirades against the patriarch for that episode! It is said, "He lied about Sarah." Others, seeking to analyze the situation, say he did so because he was fearful of his own life, and thought nothing of the life of his good wife Sarah. Of course, we really do not need the words of these pretenders, for God has spoken on the matter, and provided us the details of that event. Keep in mind, this occurred before the Ten Commandments were given, and before there was a Bible, redemption, or the new birth.
The activity in question occurred two times, and is recorded in the twelfth and twentieth chapters of Genesis. The first was when Abram and Sarai came into Egypt. Reasoning that she was a beautiful woman, and that the Egyptians would kill him in order to take Sarai, Abram said to her, "Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee" (22:13). It came to pass just as Abraham said. The Egyptians, and particularly Pharaoh, saw that Sarai was beautiful, and eventually brought her into his house. Pharaoh treated Abram well for Sarai's sake, giving him oxen, donkeys, servants, and camels. But God did not treat Pharaoh well. It is written that the Lord "plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram's wife" (12:16). The result was that Pharaoh saw the evil of what HE (not Abram) had done, and sent the patriarch away with Sarai, his household and much riches. All of this occurred right after Abram was initially called by God.
The second occasion when Abraham (his name was changed in Genesis 17:5) journeyed toward the South and dwelt between Kadesh and Shur. There Abraham again said Sarah was his sister. Abimelech, king of Gerar "sent and took Sarah" for himself. In the night, God came to the king in a dream and said, "Indeed you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man's wife" (20:3). Abimelech then besought the Lord to spare him because he had not touched Sarah, and did not know she was Abraham's wife. God informed him he had been spared because of the integrity of his heart, telling him, "I also withheld you from sinning against Me; therefore I did not let you touch her" (20:6). Then the Lord said to him, "Now therefore, restore the man's wife; for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you shall live. But if you do not restore her, know that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours" (Gen 20:7). When confronting Abraham about the case, the king learned that Sarah really was his sister. Abraham said, "But indeed she is truly my sister. She is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife" (20:12). The outcome of the event was that Abimelech "took sheep, oxen, and male and female servants, and gave them to Abraham; and he restored Sarah his wife to him" (20:14).
Judge for yourself whether Abraham was an inconsiderate liar. Remember also how God defended him and spoke well of him. It is time to put an end to foolish criticisms of someone of whom God only speaks well!
PRAYER POINT: Father, thank you for the record of Abraham, and of the strong faith to which he bears witness. In the name of Christ, grant me grace to speak well of those you honor.