FEAR AND PREJUDICE
«And Abraham said, Because I thought, surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will kill me on account of my wife»‘ (Genesis 20:11).
Abimelech was kept from committing adultery by God. The king responsibly gathered his servants and told them about the dream God had sent him. They in turn responded with reverent fear which saved them from certain death.
Abimelech sent for Abraham and confronted him with his lie, or half- truth. Abraham followed the same pattern that all liars use when they are confronted; he justified his lie with two excuses: that there was no fear of God in Gerar, and that there was an actual blood relationship between Sarah and himself.
«Abimelech’s words of censure must have been most humiliating. He who had been commissioned to represent, by precept and example, the true God to the people of Canaan was now the deserving recipient of reproof one of their pagan rulers. His misconduct not only marred the happiness of his own home, but had also become the occasion of suffering for the people whose hospitality he enjoyed.»—SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 1, pp. 340, 341.
Abraham had judged the inhabitants of Gerar too quickly. His fear had led him to cultivate a prejudiced opinion, to act irresponsibly, and to lie. Our fears and independence from God can often lead us to commit acts that are rash or prejudiced. This may cause pain not only for ourselves, but also for our loved ones and other innocent people around us.
It is hard to understand that Abraham was more willing to give his beloved wife to be taken advantage of than to die for her. He preferred to deceive the king instead of asking for God’s intervention. Today, if you face a situation that entails potential problems for you, don’t trust in your own discernment. Perhaps you can’t see the way out of the situation without anyone being affected, and you think there is no possible escape, but God can intervene in ways you cannot fathom.
Throughout the entire Bible, God demonstrates amazing grace, kindness and mercy. God did not punish Abraham for his sin; rather, He sent him to intercede in prayer for Abimelech. God’s goal was achieved; no one was harmed, and Abraham learned two valuable lessons: not to judge others and also, not to tell lies.
Ask God today to help you not to judge others hastily nor to have prejudices against them.
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Taken from: Devotional Thoughts for Women 2023
“DAUGHTER OF MINE” Do Not Be Afraid
From: Arsenia Fernandez-Uckele
Collaborators: Xiomara Perdomo & Angelica Cuate
