What other biblical examples show God intervening to prevent sin? A Familiar Roadblock in Gerar Genesis 20 tells how Abraham’s half-truth about Sarah nearly dragged Abimelech into adultery—and judgment. Verse 6 captures God’s own commentary: “I know that you did this with a clear conscience, and so I have kept you from sinning against Me. That is why I did not let you touch her.” (Genesis 20:6) God stepped between Abimelech and sin. Scripture gives several more snapshots of the same gracious pattern. Snapshots of Divine Restraint • Genesis 12:17 – Pharaoh & Sarai “the LORD struck Pharaoh and his household with severe plagues because of Abram’s wife Sarai.” Plagues stopped Pharaoh before immorality could spread. • Genesis 31:24 – Laban & Jacob “But that night God came to Laban… ‘Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.’” A dream muzzled Laban’s anger, protecting both men from rash words and violence. • Numbers 22:32-33 – Balaam on the road “The angel of the LORD… ‘If [the donkey] had not turned away, I would surely have killed you by now.’” A startled donkey and a visible angel halted Balaam’s greedy path toward cursing Israel. • 1 Samuel 25:26, 32-34 – David & Nabal Abigail: “the LORD… has restrained you from shedding blood.” David: “Blessed be the LORD… who has kept me from harming you.” God used a wise woman’s appeal to pull an offended future king back from vengeance. • Luke 22:31-32 – Peter in the upper room “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have prayed for you… that your faith will not fail.” Christ’s intercession blocked Satan’s plan, preserving Peter from permanent collapse. • Acts 9:3-6 – Saul on the Damascus road A blinding light, a voiced rebuke, and marching orders—God intercepted a persecutor before more believers suffered. Common Threads in These Accounts • God values His holiness and guards others from offenses against it. • He employs varied tools—dreams, plagues, angels, wise counsel, direct confrontation, even animals. • The restraint may feel disruptive, yet it shields both potential victims and perpetrators. • In every case, the intervention serves larger covenant purposes: protecting promise-bearers, keeping Messiah’s line intact, preserving gospel witnesses. Living in Light of His Restraint Scripture’s gallery of interventions reveals a God actively curbing evil, not passively observing it. His sovereign hand still blocks, redirects, and warns today, preserving both His glory and His people. |
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