Lesson 16<\/p>\n
Impact of a Decision<\/p>\n
Genesis 20<\/p>\n
Me-<\/p>\n
I cannot count the number of times over the years that I have been told, if I mention to someone about a habit they have, \u201cwhat I do only affects me and no one else.\u201d\u00a0 As much as any of us might like to think that is a true statement, nothing could be further from the truth.\u00a0 I would go so far as to say that even if I decide not to make a decision in a given situation that non-decision will still impact those around us.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For Instance, one who smokes may not be aware or care that the effect of second hand smoke has devastating health consequences.\u00a0 But, on a more personal note, what about spiritual choices I make?\u00a0 I have heard a statistic from somewhere that each of us will impact the lives of ten thousand people.\u00a0 The ripple effect of choices I make do have lasting results.\u00a0 If I say I am a follower of Christ but act like He does not live in me then I will, very possibly, turn people off from coming to Christ.<\/p>\n
We-<\/p>\n
Churches can make decisions that will either draw people to Christ or cause them to reject Him forever.\u00a0 One of the most important issues facing the church today is what we believe about the Bible.\u00a0 Is it the infallible Word of God or just a nice collection of myths and stories?\u00a0 Sadly, many churches have drifted into liberalism causing many to marginalize Christians because they are now just like the rest of society.\u00a0 There are other aspects of what a church does that will cause a person to want to become a member of that particular community of believers.\u00a0 They may include:<\/p>\n
I used the word intentional because whatever we do for Christ must reflect a strong desire to serve Him.\u00a0 Abraham had been judged as righteous because of his faith.\u00a0 His actions sometimes did not reflect a man who truly believed God would protect him and fulfill His promises to him. Today\u2019s lesson is about one of those lapses on his part.<\/p>\n
Genesis 20:1<\/p>\n
For some unknown reason Abraham decided to move.\u00a0 God\u2019s silence would indicate that He was not directing Abraham to leave Mamre.\u00a0 As he travelled towards the Negev he used the same route that he had taken when he went into Egypt.\u00a0 After spending time between Kadesh and Shur his journey ended up in Gerar in the land of the Philistines.<\/p>\n
Genesis 20:2<\/p>\n
Once again Abraham, when confronted with the unknown, told the people of the city that Sarah was his sister.\u00a0 It resulted in Abimelech, the king in Gerar, taking Sarah as one of his wives. It may seem strange that a man would take a woman who was ninety years old to be his wife.\u00a0 There may be two underlying factors for such a move on the part of Abimelech. The first may have been that it was a marriage with economic ramifications. It would have been obvious that Abraham was a very wealthy man.\u00a0 Abimelech could have easily decided that it suited his purpose economically to make an alliance with that wealthy individual who had taken up residence in his territory.<\/p>\n
The second reason was the important one as it pertains to what followed his decision.\u00a0 He may have believed that as king he had the right to take anyone that he wanted to be his wife.\u00a0 It would have made no difference about her marital state, although in the case of Sarah, Abraham had used deception to protect himself.\u00a0 Abimelech made rules to suit himself.<\/p>\n
Genesis 20:3<\/p>\n
God intervened in the situation.\u00a0 His words to Abimelech were very strong.\u00a0 God saw what he had done as a sinful act deserving death.\u00a0 Adultery was a capital crime at that time in Middle Eastern culture.\u00a0 In his mind, as will be seen shortly, he had done wrong by taking Sarah into his harem.\u00a0 One commentator spoke of his actions as having kidnapped her.\u00a0 Because of that one deed he was told that he was as good as dead in God\u2019s eyes. \u00a0\u00a0.<\/p>\n
Genesis 20:4-5<\/p>\n
Fortunately for Abimelech he had not had relations with Sarah. This might also be an indication that this was a marriage to bring about an alliance with Abraham. At that point Abimelech began to defend himself in view of God\u2019s words to him. He pointed out several things that would prove his innocence in the matter. \u00a0As will be repeated below his defense was based on his own standards and rules for life and the way he would treat others.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Genesis 20:6<\/p>\n
God\u2019s response to Abimelech indicated how much He had played a part in the incident.\u00a0 He first acknowledged that Abimelech was speaking the truth, as he saw it.\u00a0 Agreeing with the king that he had made the decision based on his standards did not lessen his guilt.\u00a0 Abimelech\u2019s responses had been from man\u2019s perspective.\u00a0 He was the one who had set the standards and made the rules by which he could make any decision. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
God then let him know that it was He, not Abimelech, who had kept Sarah safe from any advances the king may have made toward her. God had stopped him from sinful desires or even allowing him to touch her.\u00a0 It was very important for Sarah to remain pure to maintain the legitimacy of the promised baby to born to her. There had to be no question that the boy would be Abraham\u2019s son and no other man.<\/p>\n
Genesis 20:7<\/p>\n
To show that he was a man of integrity, Abimelech was to return Sarah to her rightful husband.\u00a0 Then for the first time God indicated that Abraham held the status of prophet.\u00a0 As a prophet he would pray for Abimelech that he might live.\u00a0 To disobey God would surely bring death to him and everyone who were part of his family.\u00a0 There may have been another reason to have Abraham pray for him.\u00a0 By doing so Abraham would also have to confess his part in that whole episode that had put the future and his wife in jeopardy.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Genesis 20:8<\/p>\n
Abimelech immediately responded to God\u2019s command by calling all of his servants together to share all God had said.\u00a0 As one would expect when they heard his words great fear fell upon them.\u00a0 This would indicate that they understood that they had committed a great sin against God.\u00a0 If they had known in their own minds that they were innocent there would have been no fear of God\u2019s judgment on them.<\/p>\n
Genesis 20:9-10<\/p>\n
After making sure that his servants would not do anything that would bring judgment on he and his nation, Abimelech then called for Abraham.\u00a0 He wanted to know why Abraham was willing to jeopardize his whole nation.\u00a0 His first question was, \u201cWhat have you done to us?\u201d\u00a0 Then, he asked, what had the people done to him to cause him to bring the sin upon them that cause them to be under God\u2019s wrath?\u00a0 Finally, he wanted to know if Abraham had experienced any problems with the way he had been treated.<\/p>\n
Genesis 20:11-13<\/p>\n
Abraham\u2019s response can be summed up in one word, self-preservation.\u00a0 First he told that he was afraid of what the people might do to him.\u00a0 Then he went on to share had he used his wife for the self-serving purpose of remaining safe. What he actually said was the truth, she was indeed his half-sister, but the fact remained that he used that relationship because of his lack of faith.<\/p>\n
Genesis 20:14-15<\/p>\n
Abraham was treated with respect out of the fear that Abimelech had of God.\u00a0 He would have been afraid to have done anything different.\u00a0 Underlying all of this was the protection of God for Abraham and Sarah.\u00a0 His plan for mankind was not going to thawrted by the bad decisions of that couple.<\/p>\n
Ambimelech did not send him away empty handed but actually increased Abraham\u2019s wealth by giving him sheep, oxen and more servants.\u00a0 He even allowed him, unlike the Egyptians, to remain in the land.\u00a0 More importantly for both men, Sarah was returned to Abraham as God had commanded.<\/p>\n
Genesis 20:16<\/p>\n
Although not mentioned the gift of one thousand pieces of silver to Abraham had a two-fold purpose.\u00a0 First, it would be a reminder to Abraham of the sin he had committed by putting his wife in a compromising position. Secondly, as the Bible states, it was for the vindication of Sarah. If there was to be a victim in that whole incident it would have been she.\u00a0 She really had no choice in the matter because she was under the rule of her husband and then became Abimelech\u2019s wife not by her choice.\u00a0 She was, in the mind of Abimelech, was exonerated from any shame by the payment to her husband. Notice that Sarah did not receive the money, but it did purchase her release from any guilt.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Genesis 20:17-18<\/p>\n
As God had directed, Abraham prayed for Abimelech and his household.\u00a0 While Sarah was in his harem neither his wife nor his maids were able to have children.\u00a0 Once Abraham prayed for them they were healed and could again have children.<\/p>\n
You-<\/p>\n
We-<\/p>\n
Like every other time in history we have our own set of issues with which we must deal.\u00a0 Sadly, the church as a whole has not held true to the teachings of the Scripture.\u00a0 Today there seems to be a greater attack on the Word of God than ever before.\u00a0 Smaller and smaller percentages of people in many countries who attend churches keep dwindling.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In the midst of all of this conflict our mandate to serve Christ faithfully has never changed.\u00a0 We are to be a body who has decided to never compromise with the world. It is so easy to give into the pressures to accept a liberal theology which allows many variant lifestyles.\u00a0 God\u2019s Word is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.<\/p>\n
Unlike Abraham in the lesson today, if we remain faithful to the truth our witness to the world will be effective.\u00a0 The world is looking in on us.\u00a0 Let us make sure that what they see in our behavior is Christ-like in every aspect of the church\u2019s life.\u00a0 The standards are high but so is the reward if we reach people with the saving grace of God\u2019s Word.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Additional Notes:<\/p>\n
BL- Once again as he had done in Egypt, Abraham repeated his previous sin by moving out of the land God promised him.\u00a0 In the Negev region, Abraham was no longer sure of God’s protection and felt afraid, so he passed Sarah off once again as his sister.\u00a0 Sure enough, the local king took a shine to her (although she was pregnant and 90–now, THAT’S a miracle!) and procured her for his harem. However, God protected Sarah (and the baby she was carrying by<\/p>\n
When Abimelech confronts Abraham, Abraham tells him in v. 11 that he assumed there was no fear of God in Abimelech’s country.\u00a0 How often do we use an equally lame excuse for not bearing witness of Christ’s love in our neighborhood, workplace or other places we go.\u00a0 We assume God could not possibly be there with us and so we are fearful to speak of Him.\u00a0 However, this lesson shows us that God IS with us, wherever we go, even when we defy His will.\u00a0 Rather than chastising us directly for doubting Him, He will sometimes use non-Christians to do it! (Gen. 20)<\/p>\n
UE-As surprising as it might be God had to protect Sarah a second time because of the folly of Abraham.\u00a0 He allowed her to maintain her purity even when Abraham had once again was willing for a pagan to take her to be his wife.\u00a0 It would have served him right if God had taken here from him and allowed her to remain as Abimelech\u2019s wife.\u00a0 God however had a greater plan for the world and permitted Abraham, though undeserved to be a part of it. (Gen. 20:1-7)<\/p>\n
C-Abraham moved once again.\u00a0 This time he settled in the land of Gerar. As had happened during his trip to Egypt this act once again put him and Sarah at risk.\u00a0 His decision showed a lack of faith on the part of Abraham. (Gen.20:1-2, 11-13)<\/p>\n
WM-As they travelled from place to place Abraham asked Sarah to pretend to be his sister.\u00a0 We know that he believed in God but even after 20 some years he still was not sure that His promises that He would protect him from those who had the power to take his life.\u00a0 What does it take for man to completely trust God with his very life?\u00a0 That was exactly what God wanted Abraham to do. (Gen. 20:2, 5, 11-12)<\/p>\n
E-God reveals Himself to man in many different ways.\u00a0 Whether it is in a dream, as Abimelech the king of Gerar experienced, sitting a church building, walking on a street or other ways God still expects each of us to respond in obedience to Him.\u00a0 Abimelech although a godless man certainly understood the message received in a dream.\u00a0 He then confronted Abraham with his deception of claiming Sarah was his sister. (Gen. 20:3-18)<\/p>\n
RT-In order for Abraham to pray for Abimelech and his people he had to look at how his actions had brought about the need for prayer.\u00a0 It would cause him to take responsibility for what he had done. (Gen. 20:7)<\/p>\n
UE-Why was it that an unbeliever like Abimelech would be the one who would have to remind the one who God had called righteous of what is right and wrong.\u00a0 He said to Abraham, \u201cYou have done things to me that ought not to be done.\u201d (Gen. 20:9)<\/p>\n
WM-To be fearful in spite of the awesome promises like God made to Abraham is a sin. To be fearful and take your own path through life is an act of disobedience.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (Gen. 20:11)<\/p>\n
WM-To use others for self-preservation is a selfish act.\u00a0 It shows little or no regard for another person.\u00a0 Abraham was willing to take the chance of allowing others to take Sarah as a wife for his own benefit. (Gen. 20:11-13)<\/p>\n
RT-Abraham\u2019s response to Abimelech\u2019s question shows how utterly wrong he had been in judgment of the people of Gerar. (Gen. 20:11)<\/p>\n
C-After the episode with Abimelech, king of Gebar, Abraham was advised to move away from Gerar. (Gen. 20:15)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Lesson 16 Impact of a Decision Genesis 20 Me- I cannot count the number of times over the years that I have been told, if I mention to someone about a habit they have, \u201cwhat I do only affects me and no one else.\u201d\u00a0 As much as any of us might like to think that […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-104","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/104","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=104"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/104\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":105,"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/104\/revisions\/105"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=104"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=104"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=104"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}