Day 1 of Week 3 The Patriarchs

September 18, 2008
Day One of Week 3
Not That Again
 
Today's Treasure: Genesis 20: 1 – 2
"For a while he stayed in Gerar, and there Abraham said of his wife Sarah, 'She is my sister.' Then Abimelech king of Gerar sent for Sarah and took her."
 
Today Beth would like us to realize that we never grow too old to sin or deceive. It is wise to apply God's word until we draw our last breath.
 
Please Read all of Genesis 20 and complete the following 
Glance back at Genesis 12: 10 – 20 and draw a few comparisons. What sounds familiar between reading assignments?
Abraham, once again, said he was Sarah's brother. Abraham walked away with a great deal of loot! Sarah was protected by God!
Genesis 20 relates the first of four revelations from God through dreams in the Book of Beginnings. What was the basic message of Abimelech's dream?
Do you know who you are messing with? They belong to me and I will protect them, even if it means your death! I understand you did not know you were being deceived. That is why I have not allowed you to sin against me!
Contrast Abimelech and Abraham
In this scripture, Abimelech sought the advice of God once he realized what was going on. Abraham did not ask God if he should deceive these people.
 
Genesis 20: 7
"Now return the man's wife, for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you will live. But if you do not return her, you may be sure that you and all yours will die."
Okay, do you think God loved Abraham and Sarah? I mean, Abraham puts Abimelech in this situation with God, and God protects his family! He protects Sarah's virtue and is willing to kill Abimelech's family if he does not return her to Abraham! I love how God says that Abraham will pray for Abimelech, and he will live. I am sure this is God's way of teaching Abraham what he has caused with his deceitfulness. Now, Abraham has to pray for Abimelech's life and the sorrow that Abraham himself is responsible for. What better way to teach a child that you love a lesson than to make them pray for the safety of someone they have willingly hurt? Then, in Sarah's situation, how remarkably God performed. He promised Abraham and Sarah that they would give birth within one year. If Sarah was forced to lie with Abimelech, there could be some question about the father of her child. So, God closed every womb in the house of Abimelech until she was removed from his home!!!
 
Look at Genesis 20:7
What is the first role associated with a prophet of God?
Interceding
Imagine God telling you to get on your knees to pray for someone you had placed in a bad position. How would you feel about the command, and how would your feelings affec t your praying?
I would feel guilty and overwhelmed…ashamed before God
Therefore, I would pray to relieve this person of their part in the sin! I would pray with great passion that I would bear the burden of sin against God and for forgiveness from my Father!
 
Genesis 20:3
" 'You are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken; she is a married woman.' "
 
Genesis 20: 6
" 'Yes, I know you did this with a clear conscience, and so I have kept you from sinning against me.' "
God holds us responsible for marriage. < /SPAN>In verse 3, God stated, "You are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken; she is a married woman." In verse 6, God further states, "Yes, I know you did this with a clear conscience, and so I have kept you from sinning against me."
Beth states that God takes sin against marriage personally. We do serve a merciful God; however, we should fear the consequences of sinning against an institute designed by God himself.  
According to Abraham, what agreement had he asked Sarah to make and when?
If she loved him to say he is her brother and show her love to him. He asked Sarah to do this when God had them wander from his father's household.
Has time ever dulled the difficulty of a poor decision, lulling you into making a similar decision? What did you learn from the experience?
I remember breaking up with a long term boyfriend due to the constant fighting that took place between us. Once we were broken up, and I was alone, I seemed to forget the fighting and only remember the good times. So, we would get back together, and soon the fighting would begin again! Nothing had changed! The relationship was a bad decision! So, doing the easy thing is not always the answer. You can't grow if you do not learn from your mistakes!
 
Through this idea, Beth wants us to imagine a life where doing the right thing is our impulse, rather that deceiving when we are afraid. Godliness should be our impulse, not worldliness.
Describe a specific difference this could make in your life.
Wow! The thought of making godly choices on impulse is amazing! I=2 0can only pray for such obedience! It would be a privilege to live for the LORD in that way. I am sure I would be a better witness to those around me. Hopefully, they would strive to do the same thing!
 
If you desire for God to invade every part of your mind and heart, thoughts and impulses, write a prayer in this space and tell Him so.
This is very personal…so I will leave these thoughts to you!
 
Love to you all and Have a blessed day!!