Browse Bible Study Resources

Daily Devotions

Genesis

Genesis 
Day 
Day 129

"But I am poor and needy; Yet the Lord thinks upon me; You are my help and my deliverer…" Psalm 40:17

Text: Genesis 21:1-34

WITH THE SAME DIGNITY AND INTEGRITY

Abraham probably never forgot the rebuke he received from Abimelech when he first arrived in Gerar, the land of the Philistines. Out of fear, Abraham and Sarah resorted to sophistry to get them out of tricky situations. The scorn that was poured on them, and the integrity that Abimelech displayed must have put them to shame.

Years passed, and Abraham grew in prosperity and in power. Soon there arose an opportunity to show that he too had learned how to conduct himself in dignity and integrity!

“And Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves.
Then Abimelech asked Abraham, ‘What is the meaning of these
seven ewe lambs which you have set by themselves?’
And he said, ‘You will take these seven ewe lambs from my hand,
that they may be my witness that I have dug this well.’ Therefore,
he called that place Beersheba, because the two of them
swore an oath there. Thus they made a covenant at Beersheba.”

GENESIS 21:28-32a

Abraham sealed the covenant with Abimelech with gifts of “sheep and oxen” (Genesis 21:27). However, he deemed the first gift insufficient to establish his integrity. He had to impress upon Abimelech that he was not a petty person given to complaints and disputes! The well at Beersheba was dug by Abraham’s men. There should be no doubt in Abimelech’s mind that his men had attempted to steal the well! To make sure that the dispute concerning the well was finally settled, Abraham decided that he would offer a second present to Abimelech. What a handsome gift that was – seven ewe lambs! That was worth quite a bit! Abraham had grown in stature and in wisdom! He had become a man of dignity and integrity!


CALLING UPON THE LORD IN GRATEFUL WORSHIP

Abimelech had not traveled alone to see Abraham! He had brought with him Phicol, the commander of his army (Genesis 21:22, 32). The very presence of a military commander with Abimelech must brought even greater tension to the tough situation at hand. But, mercifully, all things turned out well! Abimelech and Phicol returned home satisfied that a covenant had been sealed with Abraham!

How did Abraham feel as he reviewed the potentially explosive situation?

“Then Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba,
and there called on the Name of the Lord, the Everlasting God.”

GENESIS 21:33

There was every reason to call upon the Name of the Lord! He had discovered something else about the Lord. He was the “Everlasting God” indeed! This great God had stayed by his side and blessed him as He had promised!