Abraham and Abimelech

May 2, 2009, 6:58 am by dc-agape.

Genesis Chapter 20

Abraham is up to his old trick again in Genesis chapter 20.  Abraham moves to Gerar where King Abimelech rules.  In chapter 12 Abraham lied to the Pharaoh of Egypt and received great rewards for that lie.  He does the exact same thing to King Abimelech.  He tells everyone that Sarah is just his sister.  Even at a ripe old age of 99 she is a true hottie and Abimelech wants her as a wife. 

Before Abimelech sleeps with Sarah, YHWH comes to him and warns him that she is really married to Abraham.  We find out that YHWH is responsible for Abimelech not sleeping with Sarah, instead of any good nature in Abimelech.  Anyone hear the word freewill, anyone?  Here is another example of YHWH pulling the strings of us poor mortals.  YHWH leaves the dream with a warning that if Sarah is not returned Abimelech and his people will die.  This seems like one of those open ended threats that most bullies use.  Of course Abimelech will die…he is a living human being!

Abimelech quickly makes the decision to return Sarah.  He confronts Abraham about the lie and asks what his people have done to deserve such abuse.  I particularly like this:

^{Gen 20:9} Then Abimelech called Abraham in and said, “What have you done to us? How have I wronged you that you have brought such great guilt upon me and my kingdom? You have done things to me that should not be done.”

Abraham quickly goes on the defensive.  He claims that he was afraid that the godless would kill him and take his wife.  But he goes continues, and we actually find out that Sarah really is his half-sister! 

Here Abimelech gives Abraham lots of sheep, cattle, and 1000 shekels of silver.  He pays Abraham for the lie!  So here Abraham is caught red –handed in a lie and makes a profit off of it. 

Abraham tells YHWH that everything went as planned, and YHWH takes the curse off Abimelech’s household.  Not only is Abimelech punished financially, but YHWH punishes him bodily…for the lie that Abraham tells! 

The moral of this story is quite strange.  Those who follow this YHWH creator can sin it up!  It will be those they sin against that will pay the price!  The innocents are the ones punished both by the sinner and by the judge.  Unfortunately, this may actually be true in our world.  There is one prayer that all non-christians should always remember:

“Dear lord, if you exist, please protect me from your followers! Amen.”

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