Earlier in the story of Abraham and Sarah they had entered into Egypt because there was a famine in their land (12:10-20). Since Sarah was very beautiful, Abraham was concerned that the Egyptian king would be smitten with her beauty and desire to take her as one of his wives. Abraham feared that Pharaoh may kill him in order to take Sarah as his wife, so he asked her to lie and tell the Egyptians that they were siblings. Although this was true in a sense (Abraham and Sarah had the same father but different mothers), Abraham was not telling the whole truth (see Genesis 20:12). Pharaoh did end up taking Sarah into his harem, but God sent plagues upon Pharaoh until he discovered that Abraham had lied. Instead of trusting that God would protect his family, Abraham lied to avoid potential danger. Lying is never a part of God’s plan.
Abraham found himself in a similar situation as he traveled with his wife, Sarah, to the Philistine city of Gerar (20:1). There they were greeted by Abimelech, king of Gerar, and Abraham told him that Sarah was his sister (20:2) because he feared that they would kill him (20:11). Abimelech sent for Sarah and took her as his wife (20:2b), ”but that night God came to Abimelech in a dream and told him, ‘You are a dead man, for that woman you have taken is already married!’” (20:3, NLT). Abimelech proclaimed his innocence before God (20:4-5) and God commanded that he restore her to Abraham, God’ prophet (20:6-7). The next morning Abimelech called for Abraham and rebuked him for his lie saying, “What have you done to us? What crime have I committed that deserves treatment like this, making me and my kingdom guilty of this great sin? No one should ever do what you have done! Whatever possessed you to do such a thing? (20:8-10, NLT). Abraham attempted to justify his lie saying that he feared for his life (20:11) and that Sarah was really his half-sister (20:12-13). The continual lies of Abraham showed that he had a hard time trusting that God could protect him and the promises He had made (12:1-3).
Then Abimelech “…took some of his sheep and goats, cattle, and male and female servants, and he presented them to Abraham. He also returned his wife, Sarah, to him” (20:14, NLT). Abimelech allowed them to live in his land and even gave Abraham 1,000 pieces of silver (20:15-16). ”Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his female servants, so they could have children. For the Lord had caused all the women to be infertile because of what happened with Abraham’s wife, Sarah” (20:17-18). The lies of Abraham caused many to experience unnecessary circumstances. Although telling the truth is not always easy, it does prevent needless pain and confusion.
Dear God, may I be known as a person who tells the truth in all circumstances.
