Genesis 20:2

Abraham said of his wife Sarah, "She is my sister." So Abimelech king of Gerar had Sarah brought to him.

Study Bible

Abraham said of his wife Sarah, “She is my sister.”
This phrase highlights a recurring theme in Abraham's life, where he uses deception to protect himself. Previously, in Genesis 12:13, Abraham employed a similar tactic in Egypt. The cultural context of the time allowed for such half-truths, as Sarah was indeed his half-sister (Genesis 20:12). This action reflects a lack of trust in God's protection, despite God's promises to Abraham. It also foreshadows the struggles of faith and obedience that Abraham's descendants would face.

So Abimelech king of Gerar had Sarah brought to him.
Gerar was a Philistine city located in the Negev region, which is modern-day southern Israel. Abimelech, a common title for Philistine kings, similar to "Pharaoh" in Egypt, took Sarah into his household, believing her to be unmarried. This incident parallels the earlier event in Egypt, emphasizing the vulnerability of the patriarchal family and the potential threat to the promise of a son through Sarah. The narrative underscores God's sovereignty and protection over His covenant people, as He intervenes to preserve Sarah's integrity and the lineage of the promised seed. This event also prefigures the protective role God plays in the lives of His people, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who safeguards His church.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Abraham
The patriarch of the Israelites, known for his faith in God. In this passage, he misrepresents his relationship with Sarah out of fear for his life.

2. Sarah
Abraham's wife, who is described as beautiful. Her identity is misrepresented by Abraham, leading to her being taken by Abimelech.

3. Abimelech
The king of Gerar, who unknowingly takes Sarah into his household, believing her to be Abraham's sister.

4. Gerar
A Philistine city where Abraham and Sarah sojourn. It is the setting for this event of deception and divine intervention.

Teaching Points

The Consequences of Fear
Abraham's fear led him to deceive Abimelech, showing how fear can lead us away from trusting God and into sin.

God's Sovereignty and Protection
Despite Abraham's deception, God intervenes to protect Sarah, demonstrating His sovereignty and care for His covenant people.

The Importance of Truthfulness
This passage underscores the importance of honesty and integrity, even in difficult situations.

Generational Patterns
Abraham's actions set a precedent that is later followed by Isaac, reminding us of the impact our actions can have on future generations.

Faith Over Fear
Believers are encouraged to trust in God's promises and protection rather than succumbing to fear and taking matters into their own hands.

Bible Study Questions

1. What motivated Abraham to misrepresent his relationship with Sarah, and how can we guard against similar fears in our own lives?

2. How does God's intervention in this account demonstrate His faithfulness to His promises, and how can we apply this understanding to our current challenges?

3. In what ways can we identify and break negative generational patterns in our own families, as seen in the lives of Abraham and Isaac?

4. How does the account of Abraham and Abimelech challenge us to live with integrity and truthfulness, even when it seems risky?

5. Reflect on a time when fear led you to make a decision that compromised your values. How can you apply the lessons from Genesis 20 to choose faith over fear in the future?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Genesis 12:10-20
This earlier event in Egypt parallels Genesis 20, where Abraham also claims Sarah is his sister. It highlights a recurring pattern of fear and deception in Abraham's life.

Genesis 26:6-11
Isaac, Abraham's son, repeats a similar deception with Rebekah, showing a generational pattern of fear and lack of trust in God's protection.

Proverbs 29:25
This verse speaks to the fear of man being a snare, which is relevant to Abraham's actions driven by fear of Abimelech.