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Daily Devotions

Genesis

Genesis 
Day 
Day 111

"The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe." Proverbs 29:25

Text: Genesis 20:1-18

THE SNARE THAT FEAR SPRINGS

Fear is a deadly enemy. It refuses to go away completely. It may be wounded. It may be cast aside. But given half the chance it would attempt to reassert itself. Once again, Abraham and Sarah were ensnared by fear.

“And Abraham journeyed from there to the South,
And dwelt between Kadesh and Shur, and stayed in Gerar.
Now Abraham said of Sarah his wife, ‘She is my sister.’
And Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah.”

GENESIS 20:1-2

1. An Old Ploy

Abraham and Sarah worked out a ploy. If they sensed hostility, they would declare that they were brother and sister. The ploy did not work when they were in Egypt. It did not work again in Gerar. Abimelech, king of Gerar seized Sarah and put her in his harem.

2. The Old Self

Though Abraham had made good progress in his journey of faith, obviously, he had not developed his faith far enough. The fear of man still ensnared him and he was not able to make full use of his faith.


THE PROTECTION THAT GOD GAVE TO SHIELD ABRAHAM

The Lord had to step in personally to prevent Abimelech from molesting Sarah.

“But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him,
‘Indeed you are a dead man because of the woman whom you
have taken, for she is a man’s wife.'”

GENESIS 20:3

1. The use of a “dream”

Dreams were never lightly dismissed in the ancient days. They were often seen as portents of God.

2. A severe word of warning

Abimelech had a solemn and unmistakable warning from the Lord! He would be as good as dead, if he ever dared to touch Sarah!


THE PROTEST THAT ABIMELECH PRESENTED BEFORE GOD

Abimelech pleaded innocence! He acted the way he did because Abraham and Sarah owned each other as brother and sister. He pleaded further and said,

“In the integrity of my heart and innocence of my hands
Have I done this.”

Genesis 20:5c

How would God respond to this protest by Abimelech?