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God's Covenant with Abraham - Genesis 20:1-18

God's amazing grace and mercy are profoundly evidenced in this account of Abraham and Sarah, who deceived a pagan king, just after they were promised by God the miraculous birth of Isaac. Their deception, unwittingly perhaps to Abraham and Sarah but clearly a scheme of Satan, threatened the fulfillment of God's promise. However, God providentially thwarted Satan's scheme and Isaac was born as God decreed.

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God's Covenant with Abraham - Genesis 20:1-18

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  1. An expositional study taught by Harry Morgan

  2. For those of you online post your comments or ques3ons in the “comment sec3on” on your screen. As 3me affords they may be read to the class.

  3. 1. Abraham lies to Abimelech (1–2) 2. God warns Abimelech (3-7) 3. Abimelech Rebukes Abraham (8–13) 4. Abimelech gives Grace to Abraham (14-16) 5. Abraham then prays for Abimelech (17–18)

  4. 1And Abraham journeyed from there to the South, and dwelt between Kadesh and Shur, and stayed in Gerar. 2Now Abraham said of Sarah his wife, “She is my sister.” And Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah.

  5. God Destroyed Sodom, Spares Lot – Route of the messengers visiting Abraham from Mamre to Sodom – Lot and his family flee from Sodom to Zoar

  6. Abraham Journeys to Gehar Gerar?

  7. 1. Describe Abraham’s progression in faith. How is your walk of faith like Abraham’s? Ø Gen. 12:1-3 God calls Abram Ø Gen.15:1-21 God renews His covenant with Abram at Hebron and promises to give the land between Egypt and the River Euphrates to his descendants. Ø Gen. 16:1-6 As his wife Sarai is barren, Abram conceives a child by Hagar, her EgypCan slave girl. But Sarai ill-treats Hagar and she flees south into the desert.

  8. 1. Describe Abraham’s progression in faith. How is your walk of faith like Abraham’s? Ø Gen. 16:7-16 The angel of the LORD meets Hagar at a spring in the desert on the Way of Shur. He tells her to return to Sarai. Hagar realizes that God has spoken to her, so she calls the place Beer Lahai Roi (‘The Well of the Living One who sees me’). Ishmael is born in c.1842BC. Ø Gen. 17:1-8 God renews his covenant with Abram (‘the father is exalted) and changed his name to Abraham (‘father of many’) as he will become “the father of many nations” (Genesis 17:3).

  9. 1. Describe Abraham’s progression in faith. How is your walk of faith like Abraham’s? Ø Gen. 17:9-27 Circumcision is introduced as a sign of this covenant. Abraham's wife, Sarai, is to be called Sarah as she will become “the mother of many nations” (Genesis 17:16), even though she is already ninety years old. Ø Gen. 18:1-15 Three visitors to Abraham’s tent at Hebron declare that God will soon bless Sarah and she will give birth to a son within a year.

  10. 2. Compare and contrast the main theme of Genesis 19 and 20. Hint: who was “righteous” in both chapters, and what was the effect of their righteousness? Genesis 19 Abraham Genesis 20 Abimelech

  11. 3. Where had Abraham and Sarah dwelt prior to the destruc8on of Sodom, Gomorrah and the ci8es in the plain? (18:1, 33) Genesis 18:1 Then the LORD appeared to him by the terebinth trees of Mamre… Genesis 18:33 So the LORD went His way as soon as He had finished speaking with Abraham; and Abraham returned to his place.

  12. Abraham's Well at Beersheba (Daniel Baránek)

  13. 4. Why did they leave? Genesis 19:27–28 And Abraham went early in the morning to the place where he had stood before the LORD. 28Then he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain; and he saw, and behold, the smoke of the land which went up like the smoke of a furnace.

  14. 4. Why did they leave? Genesis 20:1 And Abraham journeyed from there to the South, and dwelt between Kadesh and Shur, and stayed in Gerar.

  15. 5. Where did Abraham and Sarah go after witnessing the destruction of Sodom, Gomorrah and the cities in the plain? (20:1) What is the meaning of each of these locations? Find on a map their locations. Genesis 20:1 And Abraham journeyed from there to the South, and dwelt between Kadesh and Shur, and stayed in Gerar. South - Negev Kadesh – “holy”, most likely Kadesh Barnea Shur – “wall” Gerar – “lodging-place”, Tel Haror

  16. Tel Haror is generally accepted as the site of ancient Gerar, a place mentioned on two occasions in the patriarchal narratives. During the Middle Bronze period (ca. 2000 to 1500 BC), Tel Haror was one of the largest cities in southern Canaan, covering 40 acres. h"ps://www.bibleplaces.com/gerar/

  17. The productivity of the land around Gerar is described in Genesis 26:12. “Now Isaac sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year a hundredfold. And the Lord blessed him.” Three thousand years later, modern techniques are being used to sow and reap in the area’s fertile soil. hGps://www.bibleplaces.com/gerar/

  18. Genesis 20:1 And Abraham journeyed from there to the South, and dwelt between Kadesh and Shur, and stayed in Gerar. Hebron – colleague, friend, unite or alliance South – Negev Kadesh – “holy”, most likely Kadesh Barnea Shur – “wall” Gerar – “lodging-place”, Tel Haror

  19. Abraham Journeys to Gehar Gerar? Canaan – (kenǎ·ʿǎn) כּ ְ נ ַ ﬠ ַ ן frui<ul Egypt – contraint; limitation (Mitzayim) מ ִ צ ְ ר ַ יִ ם

  20. 6. What is it important that Abraham remained within the land of promise (15:18) and that he did not cross over “the river of Egypt”? Genesis 15:18 On the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying: “To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates— Find your delight in what God has promised!

  21. 7. Who was Abimelech? (20:2) Genesis 20:2 Now Abraham said of Sarah his wife, “She is my sister.” And Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah. Abimelech (‘the king [God] is my father’) was probably a royal title (cp. Abimelech Gen. 26) Ab (short for abba) = father Moloch = king

  22. 8. What sin did Abimelech unwittingly commit? Genesis 20:2–3 Now Abraham said of Sarah his wife, “She is my sister.” And Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah. 3But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, “Indeed you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man’s wife.” (lā·qǎḥ) – grasp, take hold of, i.e., grasp an ל ָ ק ַ ח object with the hand (cf. 19:15)

  23. Wedding Vows “Will you take this woman…” (lā·qǎḥ) – grasp, take hold ל ָ ק ַ ח of, i.e., grasp an object with the hand

  24. 9. What error did Abraham make previously with the Pharaoh of Egypt (12:10-20) that he repeats with Abimelech (20:2)? Genesis 12:11–18 And it came to pass, when he was close to entering Egypt, that he said to Sarai his wife, “Indeed I know that you are a woman of beauJful countenance. 12Therefore it will happen, when the EgypJans see you, that they will say, ‘This is his wife’; and they will kill me, but they will let you live. 13 Please say you are my sister, that it may be well with me for your sake, and that I may live because of you.”

  25. 9. What error did Abraham make previously with the Pharaoh of Egypt (12:10-20) that he repeats with Abimelech (20:2)? 2Now Abraham said of Sarah his wife, “She is my sister.” And Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah.

  26. 10. Why, do you think, Abraham made the same error twice, par:cularly when his behavior might have seriously jeopardized the God’s promise of the Seed to be born through Sarah? (17:20-21; 18:9-15)

  27. • Pathological, a pa-ern of behavior • Previously rewarded for lying • Presump:on of God’s mercy & forgiveness • Failure to grasp the nega:ve consequences of his previous lie (i.e., Hagar and Ishmael) • ForgeEulness of God’s past protec:on. • Not discerning dis:nc:ons among unbelievers. • The letdown aHer the mountaintop (Gen. 18) Why do you repeat your sins?

  28. 11. Compare the differences in Genesis 12 & 20: Chapter 12 Chapter 20 Place: Egypt Time: Early in his walk of faith Lied to: Pharaoh Abram’s response to rebuke: Silence Consequences: Abram fled Egypt Place: Gerar Time: Late in his walk of faith Lied to: Abimelech Abram’s response to rebuke: Excuses Consequences: Abram remained in Gerar

  29. Restraining Grace – God’s grace, through a dream, restrained Abimelech from uninten8onal sin. Protec/ng Grace – God’s grace protected Sarah by preven8ng Abimelech from defiling her. Direc/ng Grace – God’s grace instructs Abimelech on how to save himself and his household.

  30. 12. How did God intervene in Genesis 12:17 and 20:3? Why the difference? Genesis 12:17 But the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife. Genesis 20:3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, “Indeed you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man’s wife.”

  31. 13. Who else in the scriptures received a revelation from God through a dream? Abimelech is the first of five pagans to receive a divine revelation of things by a dream, and all were warnings. The other four were Laban (31:24), the butler and the baker (40:5), and Pharaoh (41:1). Fruchtenbaum, A. G. (2008). Ariel’s Bible commentary: the book of Genesis (1st ed., pp. 334–335). San Antonio, TX: Ariel Ministries.

  32. 14. Why did God declare to Abimelech, “Indeed, you are a dead man”? 3But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, “Indeed you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man’s wife.” Hebrew – Greek – (mûṯ) מ וּ ת μόρος (moros) LaFn – mortalis English – mortal, morgue

  33. 14. Why did God declare to Abimelech, “Indeed, you are a dead man”? 3But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, “Indeed you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man’s wife.” Mark 6:17–18 For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; for he had married her. 18 Because John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”

  34. 15. Why was adultery a capital offense in the Old Testament? Deuteronomy 22:22 “If a man is found lying with a woman married to a husband, then both of them shall die—the man that lay with the woman, and the woman; so you shall put away the evil from Israel. Levi0cus 20:10 ‘The man who commits adultery with another man’s wife, he who commits adultery with his neighbor’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress, shall surely be put to death.

  35. 15. Why was adultery a capital offense in the Old Testament? Genesis 1:26–27 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the caFle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

  36. Deuteronomy 6:4 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one ( א ֶ ח ָ ד ʾě·ḥāḏ)! Tri-Unity ≈ç ≈ç ≈ç ≈ç Genesis 2:24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one ( א ֶ ח ָ ד ʾě·ḥāḏ)! flesh.

  37. 16. How much did Abimelech appear to know about the One speaking to him in his dream? 4But Abimelech had not come near her; and he said, “Lord, will You slay a righteous na<on also? א ֲ ד ֹ נ ָ י צ ַ דּ ִ י ק (ʾǎḏō·nāy) master, sovereign Lord (ṣǎd·dîq) righteous, just, upright, innocent Genesis 18:23 And Abraham came near and said, “Would You also destroy the righteous (ṣǎd·dîq) with the wicked?

  38. 17. How does Abimelech’s response (20:4-10) differ from Pharaoh’s (12:18, 20)? Genesis 20:14–15 Then Abimelech took sheep, oxen, and male and female servants, and gave them to Abraham; and he restored Sarah his wife to him. 15And Abimelech said, “See, my land is before you; dwell where it pleases you.” Genesis 12:20 So Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him; and they sent him away, with his wife and all that he had.

  39. 18. What is the meaning of the phrase, “But Abimelech had not come near her”? What is this significant? 4But Abimelech had not come near her; and he said, “Lord, will You slay a righteous nation also? ק ָ ר ַ ב (qā·rǎḇ) come near, approach, join together, unite, (cf. offering a sacrifice) Genesis 18:14 Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed Lme I will return to you, according to the Lme of life, and Sarah shall have a son.”

  40. 19. In what three ways did Abimelech defend himself? Genesis 20:4–5 But Abimelech had not come near her; and he said, “Lord, will You slay a righteous naAon also? 5Did he not say to me, ‘She is my sister’? And she, even she herself said, ‘He is my brother.’ In the integrity of my heart and innocence of my hands I have done this.” 1 2 3

  41. 20. How do these three points made by Abimelech find fulfillment in God’s three- fold work in our salvation? 1) “Righteous” – JusBficaBon makes us righteous. 2) “Integrity of Heart” – The Holy Spirit in our heart gives us a desire to live pleasing to the Lord. 3) “Innocence of my hands” – Forgiveness makes us innocent removing the guilt of sin. H. Van Dyke Parunak, www.cyber-chapel.org

  42. 21. What was God’s response to Abimelech’s defense? Genesis 20:6–7 And God said to him in a dream, “Yes, I know that you did this in the integrity of your heart. For I also withheld you from sinning against Me; therefore I did not let you touch her. 7Now 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.”

  43. God knows your Psalm 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties…

  44. 22. What is meant by the statement God spoke to Abimelech, “I also withheld you from sinning against Me; therefore, I did not let you touch her”? 6And God said to him . . . I also withheld you from sinning against Me; therefore I did not let you touch her.

  45. 23. If God could “withhold” Abimelech from sinning against Him, then why didn’t He “withhold” Adam from sinning? • Adam was warned by God in advance • Abimelech had no warning • Adam transgressed knowingly • Abimelech transgressed unwiCngly • God absolutely could have stopped Adam • God’s purposes are not thwarted by man’s sin

  46. 24. How did God describe Abraham to Abimelech? (20:7) Why was this important? 7Now therefore, restore the man’s wife; for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you shall live. Jeremiah 27:18 But if they are prophets, and if the word of the LORD is with them, let them now make intercession to the LORD of hosts…

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