Abraham's Lie
Author: Pastor Ryan Bing
July 11, 2024
Growing up in a Christian household, going to the same church, the school connected to that church. Then going to a Christian university and in now working at a Church not too far away from my childhood church. It can be easy to see and feel like I have lived my life in a bubble. Working with other Christians, friends with people who all have the same background and beliefs as I do. Many Christians don’t have friends who are outside their religion, which can often lead to a fear and misunderstanding of those who believe differently than we do. This is a bit of what we see commonly happen with Abraham as you read through his story in Genesis.
Twice in his story when he comes to a new place, he is afraid of those who are around him, so he lies about his wife, or more accurately withholds the truth about his wife and just says Sarai is his sister (Genesis 12:10-20 & 20:1-18)
The second time he does this is to Abimelech King of Gerar, once he finds out what has happened through a vision from God he goes to Abraham and says in Genesis 20:9-11
9"Then Abimelech called Abraham and said to him, “what have you done to us? And how have I sinned against you, that you have brought on me and my kingdom a great sin? You have don’t to me things that ought not to be done.”10 And Abimelech said to Abraham, “What did you see, that you did this thing?”11Abraham said, “I did it because I thought, ‘There is no fear of God at all in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.’”
Abraham despite having a promise from God that he would be made into a great nation was repeatedly afraid for his life and feared others causing him to lie and try to protect himself. In both cases we find God’s providence and protection over Abraham and Sarah. These stories also show God’s work in others’ lives even outside the chosen nation or people.
I find two main takeaways from the stories of Abraham’s lie. One, we can be confident in God’s promises in our lives and that he will fulfill them. When we receive and claim the promises, we find in the Bible we don’t need to be fearful or try to take things into our own hands but can trust upon God to fulfill His words. Two, recognize God is working in everyone’s lives all around us. We don’t need to be fearful of others who aren’t a part of our “bubble” or who have different backgrounds and beliefs than we do. We don’t need to be like Abraham thinking “There is no fear of God at all in this place.” Instead look for the ways God is working in others’ lives and work to foster relationships and even show them God’s love so that he might use you to be a blessing to those around us.
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