An Important Revelation of Abimelech in the Bible

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I have read the story of Abraham in the book of Genesis multiple times. From the story of Sodom and Gomorrah to the birth of Isaac. These are some of the most popular stories in this book, but when I read the story of Abraham and Abimelech in the bible found in Genesis 20, I was surprised to see a different side of God and a deep revelation of the human heart.

To give you a quick background that leads to this story, after the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham’s nephew Lot went to live in the hill country of Zoar and he had two sons Moab and Ben-ammi, which then became the Moabites and Ammonites. You can read this in Genesis 19:30-38.

Next, Genesis 20 begins with the story of Abraham and Sarah, travelling towards Gerar. In verse 2, we see the King of Gerar is Abimelech. Though Sarah was Abraham’s wife, he introduces her as his sister. Abraham explains why in verses 11 and 12. Abraham explains to King Abimelech that he claimed Sarah as his sister because he feared for his life and felt there was no reverence for God in Gerar. He thought the men might kill him to take Sarah so he did this to protect himself and his wife.

He then adds that this wasn’t a complete lie, because Sarah actually is his half-sister—she shares the same father but has a different mother—and she became his wife.

Now comes the interesting part, that you may have also missed like I did.

Before Abraham, confesses Sarah to be his wife, God comes to Abimelech in a dream and let’s him know that Sarah is Abraham’s wife. Watch how Abimelech responds to God.

Did he not himself say to me, ‘She is my sister’? And she herself said, ‘He is my brother.’ In the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my hands I have done this.” Genesis 20:5

This is how many of us react in fear to clear our name. We can end up blaming someone else. Remember the story of Adam and Eve, when Eve made a mistake, she blamed it on Adam, who in turn blamed it on the serpent? The same thing is happening here. Watch closely how Abimelech clears his name before God.

Did he not himself say to me, ‘She is my sister’? And she herself said, ‘He is my brother.’ In the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my hands I have done this.” Genesis 20:5

Abimelech first blames them for making a false statement, and then states that in the integrity of his heart and the innocence of his hands HE HAS DONE A GOOD DEED of staying away from Abraham’s wife. He places his good deeds and righteous actions before God. But, watch how God responds to this.

Then God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know that you have done this in the integrity of your heart, and it was I who kept you from sinning against me. Therefore I did not let you touch her. Genesis 20:6

I love how God begins, Yes, I know. It’s like Abimelech is trying to explain things to an All-Knowing God!

While Abimelech thinks that it was his good deed that saves him, God clarifies that it was the Lord who kept him from sinning and therefore did not allow Abimelech to commit a sin.

This is a powerful reminder of how we often forget to give all the praise and thanks to the Almighty God for what that He has done for us. Instead, we rejoice in our good works as though goodness comes naturally from us. Isaiah 64:6, tells us that our righteous deeds are like filthy rags before a perfect and righteous God. The Lord knows our weakness and accepts us for who we are and that is why He tries to protect us from our prideful heart.

I wonder if that is why, God made a way for salvation not through our good works but through His grace, otherwise that would have caused us to boast about it too? This is why Ephesians 2:8-9 says,

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 

What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments below.

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