WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:21.120 Good morning everyone and welcome to any who are visiting, who are new here or visiting. 00:00:21.120 --> 00:00:28.240 ! I noticed Laura, that sister, Laura and Zach up the back corner. So welcome. I look forward 00:00:28.240 --> 00:00:29.440 ! to chatting to you afterwards. 00:00:29.440 --> 00:00:34.679 And yeah, hopefully anyone else who's new here will get to meet today. 00:00:35.420 --> 00:00:39.920 Well, we are going to be, we're continuing our series through Genesis and we're actually 00:00:39.920 --> 00:00:44.679 looking at Genesis chapter 20 today and it would be great if you could have your Bibles 00:00:44.679 --> 00:00:49.420 open at Genesis chapter 20 because we will, over the course of this sermon, be reading 00:00:49.420 --> 00:00:55.680 through the whole chapter bit by bit and following it closely. I want to start there by asking 00:00:55.679 --> 00:01:02.679 you, I wonder if you were to do an audit of your life, in how many areas would you find 00:01:02.679 --> 00:01:11.620 your life and things about your life not quite as they should be? Maybe think about your relationships. 00:01:11.620 --> 00:01:17.260 relationships. How many of your relationships are not quite as they should be? You might 00:01:17.260 --> 00:01:27.380 have relationships that are strained or distant or maybe where someone is just absent who should 00:01:27.380 --> 00:01:34.280 be in your life. What about your house, your living arrangements? Is your house, is everything 00:01:34.280 --> 00:01:41.060 about your house as it should be? I know when I asked that question I probably just set several 00:01:41.060 --> 00:01:48.060 people in this room, started stressing immediately and this list of things, incomplete tasks about 00:01:48.060 --> 00:01:53.240 your house have just started cycling through your mind, your endless to-do list of the things 00:01:53.240 --> 00:01:58.939 that are breaking and falling apart that you can't quite get to. What about your finances? 00:01:58.939 --> 00:02:03.480 Do your finances feel also cured? What about your health? Are there things about your health 00:02:03.480 --> 00:02:11.460 that are not just as they should be? Maybe your work. Do you have not enough work or too much work? 00:02:11.819 --> 00:02:19.300 Is your workplace toxic or does the work itself seem pointless? I wonder if you did an audit of your 00:02:19.300 --> 00:02:26.680 life. I suspect that for many of us if we did that audit there would be many, many areas of our lives 00:02:26.680 --> 00:02:31.500 where we just find things are a bit out of shape, a bit messy. 00:02:34.819 --> 00:02:43.020 Now not many people become monks these days and especially not Protestants but I've been thinking 00:02:43.020 --> 00:02:49.020 about it and I think that part of the appeal of becoming a monk and then like going and living in a 00:02:49.020 --> 00:02:56.760 monastery, part of the appeal is that you can sort of closet yourself away from much of the world. 00:02:57.500 --> 00:03:00.900 Like think about it, like let me try and sell this to you, actually I don't want you to become monks 00:03:00.900 --> 00:03:07.280 but I'll try and sell it to you for a moment. If you were to become a monk and live in a monastery 00:03:07.280 --> 00:03:17.639 or you would be reducing your life to like a very limited and clearly defined range of spaces 00:03:17.639 --> 00:03:27.360 and possessions and relationships and routines. Doesn't that have at least some appeal, the simplicity 00:03:27.360 --> 00:03:38.000 of that life, an escape from the chaos that much of our lives is, much of the time? I think the less 00:03:38.000 --> 00:03:47.780 drastic secular equivalent of becoming a monk is downsizing, you know the sea change, the tree change, 00:03:48.300 --> 00:03:55.800 going offline, going off grid, trying to kind of shrink life down to something that is more contained 00:03:55.800 --> 00:04:05.920 and therefore less stressful, less ridden with anxieties and uncertainties. But real life is messy 00:04:05.920 --> 00:04:10.580 and confusing. The more you engage with the world, the more messy it will be. It's full of ambiguities 00:04:10.580 --> 00:04:18.900 and compromises and half-finished projects. And the account we're about to read in Genesis chapter 20, 00:04:19.420 --> 00:04:24.699 I think it captures something of the messiness of life. We read through this chapter, it's an episode 00:04:24.699 --> 00:04:30.560 in the life of Abraham and Sarah and it's a story in which very little is as it should be. 00:04:32.519 --> 00:04:36.939 There's little we find, little in this chapter that is as we might expect it to be. 00:04:38.259 --> 00:04:43.800 It's full of deception, confusion, ambiguity, unanswered questions and not a little irony. 00:04:45.379 --> 00:04:53.360 Even God's actions here seem simultaneously explicable and yet strangely mysterious. 00:04:54.699 --> 00:04:59.860 And for all that, this chapter will give us something solid and unshifting we can cling to. 00:04:59.979 --> 00:05:05.199 So let's get into it. You can see on your outlines, if you have one, that I've given you a four-part 00:05:05.199 --> 00:05:11.360 structure of sorts for the chapter. Verses 1 and 2 set the scene. Verses 3 to 7 give us a confrontation 00:05:11.360 --> 00:05:16.879 at night. Verses 4 to 16 a confrontation in the morning. And verses 17 and 18 the aftermath. 00:05:16.879 --> 00:05:22.139 But let's allow the narrative to unfold as we read through it together. So firstly, 00:05:22.540 --> 00:05:27.779 verses 1 and 2 set the scene as Abraham is again on the move. So we read in verse 1, 00:05:27.860 --> 00:05:36.199 from there Abraham journeyed toward the territory of the Negev and lived between Kadesh and Shur 00:05:36.199 --> 00:05:43.819 and he's sojourned in Gerah. Now there are three places that are mentioned there. First there's the 00:05:43.819 --> 00:05:48.699 from there, right, from there. Where's he, he's traveling from somewhere. Where's he traveling 00:05:48.699 --> 00:05:59.120 from? Now presumably the there in verse 1 is Hebron. And since Abraham and his nephew Lot chapters ago 00:05:59.120 --> 00:06:07.660 and years ago had parted ways in Genesis chapter 13, Lot had been living in Sodom and Abraham had 00:06:07.660 --> 00:06:13.139 settled, we're told in chapter 13 of Genesis, at Hebron by the oaks of Mamre. And they're mentioned 00:06:13.139 --> 00:06:20.579 a couple of times, chapter 13, chapter 14, chapter 18, verse 1. And he'd been living there for probably 00:06:20.579 --> 00:06:31.259 around 20 years or so. Maybe a little bit more. And while living at Hebron, Abraham had formed an 00:06:31.259 --> 00:06:38.360 alliance with his neighbors, three Amorite brothers by the names of Mamre, Eschol and Anah. You can read 00:06:38.360 --> 00:06:48.079 that in chapter 14, verse 13. So he'd been in a settled place for a couple of decades, maybe a little bit 00:06:48.079 --> 00:06:55.180 more. With neighbors that he got on well with, had formed an alliance with. And you know, life had 00:06:55.180 --> 00:07:09.419 been proceeding as well as it might. But now Lot had been forced to flee Sodom and Abraham had left 00:07:09.419 --> 00:07:13.659 Hebron. Now why did he leave? Well it doesn't tell us why. Maybe there was some environmental 00:07:13.660 --> 00:07:20.280 pressures. Maybe there was some social or political instability in the aftermath of Sodom's destruction. 00:07:20.439 --> 00:07:25.439 We're not really told why he left. But whatever the case, he's leaving behind this place which had 00:07:25.439 --> 00:07:31.440 become familiar and neighbors with whom he enjoyed friendly relations. And from Hebron, Abraham journeyed 00:07:31.440 --> 00:07:35.960 toward the territory of the Negev. Now that's the southernmost territory of the land of Canaan, 00:07:36.400 --> 00:07:42.379 the southernmost region, the Negev, the south. And it's further specified he lived between Kadesh and 00:07:42.379 --> 00:07:50.100 Shur, which are like south and southwest boundaries of the Negev. So he's traveled something like 80 to 100 00:07:50.100 --> 00:07:58.379 kilometers southwest from Hebron and settles in this region on the very southernmost part of the 00:07:58.379 --> 00:08:03.659 promised land, or the land of Canaan. If he goes any further, he's on his way to Egypt. 00:08:03.660 --> 00:08:11.500 And then verse 1 also tells us he's sojourned in Gerar. Now Gerar is a bit further north. 00:08:12.480 --> 00:08:18.500 Northwest, it's on the edge of what we would call sort of Philistine territory in the Bible. It's 00:08:18.500 --> 00:08:24.440 towards the Mediterranean Sea. And this might represent another move. So first he goes south and 00:08:24.440 --> 00:08:29.260 then he stays there for a while. Then he moves north and stays there. But note there's different 00:08:29.259 --> 00:08:36.679 verbs used in verse 1. He lived in the Negev. He sojourned in Gerar. So I think probably more likely 00:08:36.679 --> 00:08:43.840 while he's living down south, he still moves around grazing his flocks here and there. And in the course 00:08:43.840 --> 00:08:50.159 of that moving around, he spent some time near Gerar. Now whichever of those two it is, whether, you know, 00:08:51.220 --> 00:08:56.059 whichever, have a way to understand his movements in verse 1, clearly some time has passed. 00:08:56.059 --> 00:08:59.459 It takes time to do all that travelling and moving around. 00:09:02.179 --> 00:09:08.219 So when he came to Gerar, in the course of these wanderings, Abraham resorted, verse 2 tells 00:09:08.219 --> 00:09:19.199 us, to a ruse. Verse 2, and Abraham said of Sarah his wife, she is my sister. He passed off 00:09:19.199 --> 00:09:25.979 Sarah as his sister. Now why did he do this? Well we know Abraham had done this on at least 00:09:25.980 --> 00:09:31.899 one other occasion in Genesis chapter 12 when he'd recently arrived in Canaan. There was a famine, 00:09:32.019 --> 00:09:39.100 so he went down to Egypt and sojourned there. And while he was in Egypt, he said Sarah was his 00:09:39.100 --> 00:09:45.820 sister. And now there are some similarities. It's that time in Egypt in chapter 12, like this time 00:09:45.820 --> 00:09:53.379 in chapter 20, Abraham might have felt particularly vulnerable compared to those years he'd spent in 00:09:53.379 --> 00:10:01.500 Hebron where there was at least some stability. Now he is once again a stranger entirely at the mercy 00:10:01.500 --> 00:10:10.320 of others. In that earlier time, 25 years earlier in Egypt, Abraham resorted to this ruse particularly 00:10:10.320 --> 00:10:23.280 because of Sarah's beauty. He reasoned if he were her husband, then the Egyptians might kill him so that 00:10:23.280 --> 00:10:32.600 they could take Sarah and marry her. On the other hand, if Abraham were Sarah's brother, then her beauty 00:10:32.600 --> 00:10:40.320 is actually an asset to him because rather than kill Abraham to get Sarah, they'll try to butter Abraham 00:10:40.320 --> 00:10:46.779 up so they can get Sarah, which is exactly what happened. Like Pharaoh gave Abraham lots of sheep 00:10:46.779 --> 00:10:52.840 and oxen and donkeys and servants and so on. So Abraham profited quite nicely from his deception 00:10:52.840 --> 00:10:59.700 when he was in Egypt. One suspects it was a less pleasant experience for Sarah, whom Pharaoh took. 00:11:02.060 --> 00:11:07.960 Well now Abraham resorts to the same ruse. And lo and behold, there's the same outcome. 00:11:09.220 --> 00:11:19.139 Verse 2 again, Abraham said of Sarah, his wife, she is my sister, and Abimelech, king of Gerah, 00:11:19.139 --> 00:11:29.080 sent and took Sarah. Once again, the king of the land where Abraham is sojourning takes Abraham's wife 00:11:29.080 --> 00:11:37.519 into his harem or takes her to be his own wife. Now what was Abimelech's motive? The text doesn't tell us. 00:11:38.539 --> 00:11:44.860 Perhaps Sarah was still desirable. I mean, she was a great beauty 25 years ago when she was 65. 00:11:44.860 --> 00:11:53.100 Does she still turn heads at 90? I guess it's possible, but the text doesn't say that. 00:11:54.879 --> 00:11:59.879 But there might have been other motives. I mean, maybe Abimelech was seeking a marriage alliance. 00:12:00.700 --> 00:12:05.919 Abraham didn't have a daughter. Maybe he's seeking a marriage alliance. Abraham's a wealthy man and 00:12:05.919 --> 00:12:12.639 Abimelech might want to sort of marry into that wealth. Maybe this is sort of an airbrushed hostage 00:12:12.639 --> 00:12:18.439 situation. So Abraham wouldn't cause him any trouble. I don't know. The motive, we're not told 00:12:18.439 --> 00:12:25.559 the motive. Whatever the case, in the scheme of Genesis, let me suggest this is a catastrophic 00:12:25.559 --> 00:12:34.019 development. Now, of course, what Abraham did was morally reprehensible. You know, it's actually not 00:12:34.019 --> 00:12:39.559 all that different to Lot in chapter 19, offering his two daughters to a depraved mob of men. Well, 00:12:39.559 --> 00:12:45.379 here, you know, again, we have Abraham, a man, treating a woman as an object to be given away, 00:12:45.519 --> 00:12:57.719 exchanged, used for his own sake. But there's another reason, too, why another man taking Sarah 00:12:57.720 --> 00:13:05.860 at this time is a calamity? Because you remember those things that God had said to Abraham and Sarah 00:13:05.860 --> 00:13:14.960 very, very recently. We've seen these in the last few chapters. Chapter 17, verse 21, God said to Abraham, 00:13:14.960 --> 00:13:30.840 18, verse 10, I will surely return to you about this time next year and Sarah, your wife, will have a son. 00:13:30.920 --> 00:13:37.540 18, verse 14, at the appointed time, I'll return to you about this time next year and Sarah shall have 00:13:37.539 --> 00:13:48.399 a son. Can you see the problem? Sarah's supposed to have a son in what? Well, when God was making 00:13:48.399 --> 00:13:55.039 those promises, in 12 months. 12 months minus whatever time it's taken Abraham to travel to 00:13:55.039 --> 00:14:01.839 Hebron and from Hebron to the Negev and then to Gerar and then Abimelech. I mean, what's left? 00:14:01.840 --> 00:14:13.040 What does that leave us? 11 months? 10 months? Nine months? This wasn't the time for Sarah to be 00:14:13.040 --> 00:14:19.860 passing her evenings in the company of another man. I mean, think of the potential ramifications 00:14:19.860 --> 00:14:26.860 for Abraham's line. Think of the potential ramifications for the covenant. The entire 00:14:26.860 --> 00:14:35.279 divine arrangement placed in jeopardy because of Abraham's ruse. And Abraham just lets it happen. 00:14:36.419 --> 00:14:41.259 No worse, he doesn't just allow it to happen. He sets things up so that it could happen. 00:14:42.899 --> 00:14:48.500 He perhaps even expects it to happen. I mean, after all, if he didn't anticipate other men's 00:14:48.500 --> 00:14:52.340 interest in Sarah, why would he even bother with the ruse? 00:14:52.340 --> 00:14:59.639 Where's the Abraham of Genesis 18 who showed extravagant hospitality to angels? 00:15:00.259 --> 00:15:05.600 Where's the Abraham of Genesis 18 who boldly pleaded with the Lord on behalf of Sodom? 00:15:10.340 --> 00:15:17.240 Who is this man we see here whose lack of faith not only compromises his own marriage covenant, 00:15:17.240 --> 00:15:21.639 but even more seriously, it places in jeopardy the covenant of God. 00:15:25.820 --> 00:15:29.639 But God had no intention of letting everything unravel so easily. 00:15:30.080 --> 00:15:34.100 Which brings us to the second part of the chapter, a confrontation at night. Look at verse 3. 00:15:34.100 --> 00:15:45.100 Verse 3. 00:15:45.879 --> 00:15:49.360 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night and said to him, 00:15:50.279 --> 00:15:56.940 Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man's wife. 00:15:57.920 --> 00:16:03.700 God speaks. But not to Abraham, mind you. God speaks to Abimelech, this pagan idolatrous king. 00:16:04.100 --> 00:16:07.600 And he gives Abimelech a stark and unapologetic warning. 00:16:09.300 --> 00:16:16.060 Notice that God holds Abimelech to the biblical standard of the inviolability of marriage. 00:16:19.360 --> 00:16:26.779 And you must not take another man's wife, as would later be articulated in the Ten Commandments, 00:16:26.840 --> 00:16:28.080 you shall not commit adultery. 00:16:28.080 --> 00:16:30.040 God holds Abimelech to that. 00:16:31.480 --> 00:16:38.180 And the penalty hovering over Abimelech is the same that hung over disobedience in the Garden of Eden. 00:16:38.400 --> 00:16:41.700 You are a dead man because of what you've done. 00:16:43.240 --> 00:16:47.680 Now, throughout history, there have been countless men who have taken another man's wife. 00:16:47.679 --> 00:16:53.839 And the vast majority of those have not received a dream from God warning them of the consequences. 00:16:54.679 --> 00:16:55.639 But Abimelech did. 00:16:57.599 --> 00:17:03.419 And as is always the case, God's word of warning, his threat of judgment, 00:17:03.539 --> 00:17:08.079 when he says to Abimelech, you're a dead man, that creates a pause. 00:17:08.079 --> 00:17:14.519 God's word of warning is a temporary reprieve. 00:17:15.720 --> 00:17:20.399 It creates space and time in which the one who receives the warning may respond 00:17:20.399 --> 00:17:23.119 before the threatened punishment falls. 00:17:23.199 --> 00:17:24.099 It was the same with Nineveh. 00:17:24.179 --> 00:17:25.919 When we looked at Jonah earlier in the year, 00:17:25.980 --> 00:17:28.879 when Jonah preached 40 days and Nineveh shall be overthrown, 00:17:29.139 --> 00:17:31.059 well, that gave space for Nineveh to repent, 00:17:31.659 --> 00:17:33.279 even though Jonah didn't want them to. 00:17:33.279 --> 00:17:37.019 That's what God's word does today. 00:17:37.139 --> 00:17:40.539 When any today hear of the reality of hell and the wrath of God, 00:17:40.639 --> 00:17:43.180 it creates space in which they may repent. 00:17:44.660 --> 00:17:47.039 That's what it did for Abimelech at this very moment. 00:17:47.379 --> 00:17:51.119 Every warning from God comes draped in the patience of God. 00:17:52.379 --> 00:17:55.379 And we hear Abimelech's response in verses 4 to 5. 00:17:55.619 --> 00:17:58.099 But first, the narrator drops in an important detail, 00:17:58.379 --> 00:17:59.220 the start of verse 4, 00:17:59.299 --> 00:18:01.480 now Abimelech had not approached her. 00:18:01.480 --> 00:18:04.880 See, Abimelech had taken Sarah to be his wife, 00:18:05.019 --> 00:18:07.180 but he'd not yet consummated the marriage. 00:18:08.220 --> 00:18:11.819 That's an important detail if we're keeping track of the promise of God. 00:18:12.460 --> 00:18:15.960 It's also important if we're trying to gauge the precise level 00:18:15.960 --> 00:18:18.319 of Abimelech's culpability at this moment. 00:18:19.920 --> 00:18:24.079 So verse 4, Abimelech mounts a defence before God. 00:18:24.160 --> 00:18:24.660 So he said, 00:18:24.660 --> 00:18:54.640 Abimelech said, 00:18:54.660 --> 00:18:57.460 I just accepted what they told me. 00:18:59.900 --> 00:19:03.500 But it's Abimelech's question in verse 4 that really captures our attention. 00:19:03.680 --> 00:19:04.700 Did you notice that? 00:19:04.940 --> 00:19:05.300 Verse 4, 00:19:05.400 --> 00:19:08.620 Lord, will you kill an innocent people? 00:19:08.619 --> 00:19:12.439 Does it remind you of anything? 00:19:15.679 --> 00:19:16.859 I heard a yes. 00:19:16.939 --> 00:19:17.739 What's it remind you of? 00:19:20.739 --> 00:19:22.000 Abraham's pleading for Sodom. 00:19:22.079 --> 00:19:22.619 That's right. 00:19:23.419 --> 00:19:24.779 It's almost, it's uncanny. 00:19:24.859 --> 00:19:25.859 It's almost the same, right? 00:19:26.079 --> 00:19:28.000 Back in chapter 18, verse 23. 00:19:28.000 --> 00:19:31.880 18, verse 23. 00:19:33.240 --> 00:19:36.059 Then Abraham drew near and said, this is to the Lord, 00:19:36.180 --> 00:19:38.579 will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? 00:19:39.579 --> 00:19:42.099 Verse 25, far be it from you to do such a thing, 00:19:42.160 --> 00:19:43.960 to put the righteous to death with the wicked, 00:19:44.799 --> 00:19:46.779 so that the righteous fare is the wicked. 00:19:48.460 --> 00:19:52.059 Abimelech's asking God the same question that Abraham asked God. 00:19:52.059 --> 00:19:53.759 In fact, the word's the same too. 00:19:53.859 --> 00:19:56.799 It's translated as innocent in chapter 20, verse 4, 00:19:56.879 --> 00:19:59.700 but it's the same Hebrew word, the word righteous, the word tzaddik. 00:20:01.879 --> 00:20:04.379 There's another parallel with the intercession, 00:20:04.839 --> 00:20:06.319 with Abraham's intercession for Sodom, 00:20:06.579 --> 00:20:08.359 which it can be easy to overlook. 00:20:08.519 --> 00:20:10.679 But listen to Abimelech's words again in verse 4. 00:20:11.139 --> 00:20:15.099 Lord, will you kill an innocent people? 00:20:15.099 --> 00:20:17.899 The word is nation. 00:20:20.939 --> 00:20:23.219 Abimelech is pleading not only on his own behalf, 00:20:23.299 --> 00:20:24.839 but on behalf of his people. 00:20:24.959 --> 00:20:29.480 He recognises that his actions as king of Gerah 00:20:29.480 --> 00:20:32.139 would have consequence for the entire Philistine nation. 00:20:33.619 --> 00:20:36.659 But Abimelech says, Lord, we're innocent, we're righteous. 00:20:37.199 --> 00:20:39.719 I acted in ignorance, I acted in integrity of heart. 00:20:39.939 --> 00:20:41.799 Lord, will you kill a righteous people? 00:20:42.519 --> 00:20:44.579 And God replies in verse 6. 00:20:45.099 --> 00:20:45.599 Verse 6. 00:20:45.819 --> 00:20:49.759 Then God said to him in the dream, 00:20:50.079 --> 00:20:53.419 Yes, I know that you've done this in the integrity of your heart, 00:20:53.699 --> 00:20:57.000 and it was I who kept you from sinning against me. 00:20:57.819 --> 00:20:59.559 Therefore, I did not let you touch her. 00:21:00.079 --> 00:21:02.859 So I don't think we need to imagine any kind of saintly 00:21:02.859 --> 00:21:06.459 or heroic self-control on Abimelech's part. 00:21:06.459 --> 00:21:10.379 The true agent restraining Abimelech's sin 00:21:10.379 --> 00:21:12.319 was the sovereign hand of God. 00:21:12.639 --> 00:21:14.740 It was I who kept you from sinning against me. 00:21:16.000 --> 00:21:21.259 I mean, to the extent that any of us have any progress in godliness 00:21:21.259 --> 00:21:23.980 or victory over sin, we can say the same thing, can't we? 00:21:24.619 --> 00:21:26.659 It's always God's restraining hand. 00:21:26.660 --> 00:21:32.700 Well, by his restraining hand, God had kept Abimelech from sinning further 00:21:32.700 --> 00:21:38.860 and had protected his covenant at this precarious time. 00:21:38.859 --> 00:21:43.819 At the same time, God acknowledges the essential truth of Abimelech's defense. 00:21:43.959 --> 00:21:46.059 Yes, you did act in the integrity of your heart. 00:21:46.179 --> 00:21:47.839 You didn't know what you were doing. 00:21:48.919 --> 00:21:51.339 But now Abimelech was no longer ignorant. 00:21:51.339 --> 00:21:54.019 A change, of course, was required. 00:21:54.179 --> 00:21:54.759 Verse 7. 00:21:55.199 --> 00:21:57.879 Now then, return the man's wife, for he is a prophet, 00:21:58.179 --> 00:22:01.279 so that he will pray for you and you shall live. 00:22:02.099 --> 00:22:07.039 But if you do not return her, know that you shall surely die, 00:22:07.480 --> 00:22:09.099 you and all who are yours. 00:22:10.679 --> 00:22:12.240 Now, I want you to think about this verse. 00:22:12.359 --> 00:22:13.579 Really think about verse 7 here. 00:22:13.579 --> 00:22:14.480 What's going on here? 00:22:16.000 --> 00:22:20.099 What's expected in this verse and what's surprising in God's answer? 00:22:21.419 --> 00:22:25.139 I think what's expected is the beginning and the end of the verse. 00:22:26.339 --> 00:22:30.639 Now then, return the man's wife and you shall live. 00:22:31.779 --> 00:22:33.299 But if you do not return her, 00:22:33.960 --> 00:22:36.240 then you shall know that you shall surely die, 00:22:36.379 --> 00:22:37.519 you and all who are yours. 00:22:37.799 --> 00:22:38.539 I mean, that fits. 00:22:38.659 --> 00:22:39.500 That makes sense. 00:22:39.759 --> 00:22:42.079 That follows naturally out of verses 2 to 6. 00:22:42.079 --> 00:22:44.519 You took Sarah in the integrity of your heart. 00:22:44.740 --> 00:22:46.399 You didn't know she was Abraham's wife. 00:22:46.539 --> 00:22:49.500 But now you do know that if you keep her, you're sinning. 00:22:49.679 --> 00:22:50.839 So there's no excuse. 00:22:51.019 --> 00:22:51.919 So take her back. 00:22:52.019 --> 00:22:52.699 Send her back. 00:22:53.439 --> 00:22:56.079 And if you don't, the penalty of sin remains on you. 00:22:56.139 --> 00:22:57.000 You shall surely die. 00:22:57.079 --> 00:22:58.899 There are echoes of Genesis 2.17 there. 00:22:59.119 --> 00:23:00.199 You and all who are yours. 00:23:01.899 --> 00:23:06.139 Again, we see the sin of the king of Gerar would be borne by his people. 00:23:06.339 --> 00:23:08.000 But that kind of all makes sense. 00:23:08.439 --> 00:23:09.839 But what about the bit in the middle? 00:23:09.839 --> 00:23:15.659 Now then, return the man's wife, for he is a prophet, 00:23:16.339 --> 00:23:21.480 so that he will pray for you and you shall live. 00:23:22.419 --> 00:23:23.579 What's that doing there? 00:23:25.079 --> 00:23:26.439 I mean, what's going on here? 00:23:27.740 --> 00:23:30.879 I mean, isn't it enough that Abimelech's sin was unintentional 00:23:30.879 --> 00:23:34.759 and that he repented and that he gave Sarah back? 00:23:34.759 --> 00:23:36.240 Well, apparently that's not enough. 00:23:37.640 --> 00:23:40.660 Abimelech and his people need Abraham's prayer. 00:23:42.039 --> 00:23:43.640 We're going to return to that thought later. 00:23:44.180 --> 00:23:47.319 But for now, I want you to notice some of the irony in these words. 00:23:47.579 --> 00:23:49.599 God says, notice he, two things about Abraham. 00:23:50.079 --> 00:23:51.480 He's a prophet and he'll pray. 00:23:52.680 --> 00:23:53.480 Now, what's a prophet? 00:23:53.920 --> 00:23:56.160 Well, incidentally, this is the first and only time the word prophet 00:23:56.160 --> 00:23:58.039 appears in the book of Genesis. 00:23:58.519 --> 00:23:59.140 What's a prophet? 00:23:59.220 --> 00:24:01.220 A prophet is someone who receives God's word 00:24:01.220 --> 00:24:02.860 and declares it to others, right? 00:24:02.880 --> 00:24:03.360 That's a prophet. 00:24:05.259 --> 00:24:08.700 We know Abraham had heard God speak multiple times in the past, 00:24:09.079 --> 00:24:10.519 so I guess he kind of qualifies. 00:24:10.779 --> 00:24:15.519 But in chapter 20, it's not Abraham that hears God's word, 00:24:15.579 --> 00:24:16.240 it's Abimelech. 00:24:17.420 --> 00:24:20.380 And in chapter 20, it's not Abraham who declares God's word. 00:24:20.440 --> 00:24:22.259 We're going to see in verse 7, it's Abimelech. 00:24:22.420 --> 00:24:24.860 He goes and tells all his servants what God had said. 00:24:24.859 --> 00:24:30.619 So if anyone's performing the function of a prophet in chapter 20, 00:24:30.740 --> 00:24:34.659 it's Abimelech, not Abraham, and yet God says that Abraham's a prophet. 00:24:37.319 --> 00:24:39.240 There's this jarring disconnect, right? 00:24:39.719 --> 00:24:41.619 God also says of Abraham and he'll pray. 00:24:41.759 --> 00:24:44.279 Well, again, so far in chapter 20, who's praying? 00:24:44.359 --> 00:24:47.919 It's Abimelech that's talking to God, that's praying, 00:24:49.500 --> 00:24:54.159 and praying the same kind of prayer that Abraham prayed about Sodom. 00:24:54.859 --> 00:24:56.379 Lord, will you kill a righteous people? 00:24:57.279 --> 00:25:02.119 But again, God says to Abimelech, your prayers, Abimelech, will not do. 00:25:03.219 --> 00:25:04.919 You need the prayers of Abraham. 00:25:06.919 --> 00:25:08.139 Now just hold that thought. 00:25:08.199 --> 00:25:09.039 We're going to come back to it. 00:25:09.299 --> 00:25:11.679 Let's see how Abimelech reacts to this startling dream 00:25:11.679 --> 00:25:12.959 when he wakes up the next morning. 00:25:14.339 --> 00:25:15.000 Verse 8. 00:25:16.699 --> 00:25:17.299 Verse 8. 00:25:17.299 --> 00:25:20.439 So Abimelech rose early in the morning and called all his servants 00:25:20.439 --> 00:25:24.159 and told them all these things, or literally all these words. 00:25:24.160 --> 00:25:25.460 It's the words of God. 00:25:25.800 --> 00:25:27.860 And the men were very much afraid. 00:25:32.180 --> 00:25:35.960 You know, Abimelech did what we might expect Abraham to do, right? 00:25:36.000 --> 00:25:39.000 He declared the words of God to his people. 00:25:41.519 --> 00:25:45.440 In doing, in this disclosure, this immediate and full disclosure, 00:25:45.440 --> 00:25:49.700 you've got to say Abimelechs are quite different to most kings and princes 00:25:49.700 --> 00:25:52.140 and presidents and politicians alive today. 00:25:53.820 --> 00:25:54.640 I mean, just think about it. 00:25:54.720 --> 00:25:59.940 Whenever any kind of prince or president or someone or a politician 00:25:59.940 --> 00:26:03.500 does something shady or crooked or downright despicable, 00:26:04.580 --> 00:26:09.539 how often do they come out immediately with a full and frank disclosure 00:26:09.539 --> 00:26:11.500 of their crimes to all and sundry? 00:26:12.440 --> 00:26:12.619 Right? 00:26:12.680 --> 00:26:14.399 Oh, look, this is what I did. 00:26:17.200 --> 00:26:20.240 You know, you won't hear a word about it until they're publicly exposed 00:26:20.240 --> 00:26:21.680 and then they'll probably deny it. 00:26:22.740 --> 00:26:23.079 Anyway. 00:26:25.019 --> 00:26:28.500 But Abimelech urgently summons his servants to tell them what he did, 00:26:28.619 --> 00:26:31.319 what God had said, and the grave danger they were all in. 00:26:32.200 --> 00:26:33.180 And what's the outcome? 00:26:33.180 --> 00:26:38.980 They heard God's words and immediately the men were very much afraid. 00:26:40.200 --> 00:26:41.539 They feared God. 00:26:46.440 --> 00:26:47.740 They feared God. 00:26:48.880 --> 00:26:52.259 This is the one to whom I'll look, God would say later in the Bible. 00:26:53.720 --> 00:26:56.640 He who is humble and contrite and trembles at my word. 00:26:56.740 --> 00:26:58.279 Well, they tremble at the word of God. 00:26:58.279 --> 00:27:06.259 There was nothing they could do but for Abimelech to try to set things right 00:27:06.259 --> 00:27:06.839 with Abraham. 00:27:08.940 --> 00:27:13.399 But while they feared God, Abimelech also understandably feels aggrieved 00:27:13.399 --> 00:27:17.639 by Abraham and so he confronts, as he calls Abraham to him, 00:27:17.680 --> 00:27:19.920 he confronts Abraham about what he's done. 00:27:20.200 --> 00:27:20.660 Verse 9. 00:27:20.759 --> 00:27:22.940 Then Abimelech called Abraham and said to him, 00:27:23.259 --> 00:27:24.639 what have you done to us? 00:27:24.640 --> 00:27:29.220 And how have I sinned against you that you have brought on me and my kingdom 00:27:29.220 --> 00:27:30.980 a great sin? 00:27:31.660 --> 00:27:34.020 You have done to me things that ought not to be done. 00:27:34.500 --> 00:27:39.080 And Abimelech said to Abraham, what did you see that you did this thing? 00:27:40.780 --> 00:27:44.540 Now, Abimelech, you notice he doesn't deny his own wrongdoing. 00:27:44.880 --> 00:27:49.380 He admits that he and his kingdom are guilty of a great sin in taking Abraham's wife. 00:27:50.220 --> 00:27:53.240 But he also lays the blame for that, or at least some of the blame for that, 00:27:53.300 --> 00:27:54.420 at Abraham's feet. 00:27:55.640 --> 00:27:59.160 He says it was Abraham who brought this sin upon them. 00:28:00.620 --> 00:28:03.980 When he asked in verse 10, what did you see that you did this? 00:28:04.020 --> 00:28:07.720 He might just be saying to Abraham, can you help me understand your perspective here? 00:28:07.780 --> 00:28:09.200 I mean, how did you see things? 00:28:09.540 --> 00:28:12.420 What was your perception of the situation that led you to do this? 00:28:13.380 --> 00:28:16.720 Or maybe he's picking up on God's description of Abraham as a prophet 00:28:16.720 --> 00:28:20.180 and saying, look, Abraham, if you received some revelation from God 00:28:20.180 --> 00:28:22.560 that led to you treating me this way, like, what? 00:28:22.559 --> 00:28:23.960 Why did you do it? 00:28:25.720 --> 00:28:29.819 Well, in verses 11 to 13, Abraham offers his defence. 00:28:29.940 --> 00:28:31.799 Look at Abraham's defence with me, verse 11. 00:28:32.259 --> 00:28:37.899 Abraham said, I did it because I thought there is no fear of God at all in this place 00:28:37.900 --> 00:28:39.940 and they will kill me because of my wife. 00:28:40.820 --> 00:28:43.800 Besides, she is indeed my sister, the daughter of my father, 00:28:44.019 --> 00:28:46.800 though not the daughter of my mother, and she became my wife. 00:28:47.640 --> 00:28:50.940 And when God caused me to wander from my father's house, 00:28:51.000 --> 00:28:54.240 I said to her, this is the kindness you must do to me, 00:28:54.759 --> 00:28:57.100 you must do me at every place to which we come, 00:28:57.099 --> 00:28:59.139 say of me, he is my brother. 00:29:01.619 --> 00:29:03.619 Now, what do you make of Abraham's defence? 00:29:03.619 --> 00:29:13.199 I think these must be some of the most slippery, unedifying, weasel words in all of Scripture. 00:29:15.079 --> 00:29:18.299 I mean, it seems to start okay. 00:29:18.559 --> 00:29:19.879 I did it, he says. 00:29:20.599 --> 00:29:22.099 Actually, that's not even there in the Hebrew. 00:29:22.259 --> 00:29:23.139 He doesn't say I did it. 00:29:23.159 --> 00:29:24.979 He can't quite bring himself to say I did it. 00:29:25.019 --> 00:29:27.199 He just starts because, right? 00:29:27.200 --> 00:29:31.080 Okay, he just launches into excuses. 00:29:31.740 --> 00:29:34.600 Excuse one, because I thought, literally because I said, 00:29:35.019 --> 00:29:37.680 notice what follow Abraham's words, he's not God's words, 00:29:38.220 --> 00:29:40.620 not some vision he's seen, this is just what Abraham's come up with. 00:29:40.680 --> 00:29:44.299 Because I said, there's no fear of God at all in this place 00:29:44.299 --> 00:29:46.000 and they'll kill me because of my wife. 00:29:46.279 --> 00:29:49.400 I mean, Abraham's words, they're dripping with unintended irony, aren't they? 00:29:49.880 --> 00:29:52.400 Because we know, having just read verse 8, 00:29:52.400 --> 00:29:55.799 that as soon as Abimelech's men heard God's words, 00:29:55.799 --> 00:29:59.680 the men were very much afraid. 00:30:00.759 --> 00:30:03.019 Not just afraid, but very much afraid. 00:30:05.019 --> 00:30:09.960 Perhaps if Abraham the prophet had tried to speak God's words to Abimelech 00:30:09.960 --> 00:30:12.980 and the Philistines, he would have discovered that for himself. 00:30:15.599 --> 00:30:20.059 As it turns out, the land of Gerah was full of the fear of God. 00:30:20.839 --> 00:30:24.099 In fact, the only one who doesn't seem to fear God in chapter 20 00:30:24.099 --> 00:30:25.279 is Abraham himself. 00:30:25.799 --> 00:30:29.139 You know, having received all God's promises, 00:30:30.259 --> 00:30:35.839 yet Abraham acts not in fear of God, but out of fear of men, 00:30:36.779 --> 00:30:40.019 afraid that they will kill him to take his wife. 00:30:41.159 --> 00:30:43.579 And so he gives up his wife to save his own skin. 00:30:44.180 --> 00:30:44.919 That's excuse one. 00:30:44.920 --> 00:30:45.700 Excuse two. 00:30:47.880 --> 00:30:48.620 Excuse two. 00:30:49.259 --> 00:30:53.100 Besides, she is indeed my sister, the daughter of my... 00:30:53.100 --> 00:30:55.320 I mean, literally, indeed is truly. 00:30:55.460 --> 00:30:58.820 She is truly my sister, the daughter of my father, 00:30:58.860 --> 00:31:00.640 though not the daughter of my mother, and she became my wife. 00:31:00.680 --> 00:31:02.800 Now, this is just legal casuistry, isn't it? 00:31:03.279 --> 00:31:06.180 It's just looking for the loophole to evade responsibility. 00:31:06.180 --> 00:31:13.920 I mean, these are weasel words that kind of remind me of Bill Clinton's infamous denial, 00:31:14.299 --> 00:31:15.880 which I won't repeat here, right? 00:31:17.000 --> 00:31:19.200 I mean, technically it wasn't a lie, 00:31:19.200 --> 00:31:23.080 but it was absolutely intended to deceive. 00:31:23.079 --> 00:31:26.439 She really is my sister, my half-sister. 00:31:26.559 --> 00:31:28.619 I mean, as if that were relevant in this situation. 00:31:30.579 --> 00:31:35.240 Actually, we have here another instance of the masterful storytelling in Genesis, 00:31:35.839 --> 00:31:37.659 because there's a deliberate ambiguity here. 00:31:38.939 --> 00:31:44.259 This account has been told in such a way as to leave us reading it in the same position as Abimelech, 00:31:44.859 --> 00:31:47.740 where all we can do is kind of take Abraham's word for it. 00:31:47.740 --> 00:31:52.180 Because back in chapter 11, when Abraham and Abraham's family, 00:31:52.220 --> 00:31:53.920 or Abram's family, were first introduced, 00:31:54.240 --> 00:31:56.680 nothing is said about who Sarah's parents were. 00:31:57.819 --> 00:32:00.519 We're told Abraham's father had three sons, 00:32:01.200 --> 00:32:02.620 Abram, Nahor, and Haran. 00:32:02.799 --> 00:32:04.319 There's no mention of him having a daughter. 00:32:04.640 --> 00:32:06.740 There's no mention of him having two wives. 00:32:07.759 --> 00:32:11.480 We're told that Abraham's first brother, Nahor, married Milcah, 00:32:11.539 --> 00:32:13.099 the daughter of his second brother, Haran. 00:32:13.099 --> 00:32:16.240 So that is, Abraham's first brother married his niece. 00:32:17.740 --> 00:32:22.200 So it's happy, Genesis 11 is happy to explain a family connection in a marriage, 00:32:22.299 --> 00:32:24.319 but again, no mention of Sarah. 00:32:24.640 --> 00:32:27.539 In fact, of Sarah, in Genesis chapter 11, verse 31, 00:32:27.640 --> 00:32:32.259 it explicitly says, calls Sarah Terah's daughter-in-law, 00:32:33.579 --> 00:32:36.359 the wife of Abram, not his daughter. 00:32:36.359 --> 00:32:44.039 So the narrator of Genesis has had ample opportunity to kind of tell us this earlier, 00:32:44.039 --> 00:32:48.479 if it's true that Sarah is Abraham's half-sister. 00:32:49.599 --> 00:32:52.619 And when Abraham says it in verse 12, we're left wondering, 00:32:52.819 --> 00:32:54.000 like, I mean, is she? 00:32:54.899 --> 00:32:56.000 I mean, maybe. 00:32:56.519 --> 00:32:58.599 Maybe Abraham's kind of telling the truth now, 00:32:58.639 --> 00:32:59.699 or maybe he's still lying. 00:32:59.759 --> 00:33:00.259 I don't know. 00:33:01.220 --> 00:33:02.980 Is she his half-sister? 00:33:03.720 --> 00:33:04.119 Possibly. 00:33:04.839 --> 00:33:05.799 Not that it matters, 00:33:05.900 --> 00:33:08.160 because even if it's technically true at some level, 00:33:08.240 --> 00:33:10.059 it's still a deception because she's his wife. 00:33:10.900 --> 00:33:12.720 And I don't actually know which one's better. 00:33:12.920 --> 00:33:16.779 Like, is it better that he's, like, lying now still 00:33:16.779 --> 00:33:18.319 and she's not actually his half-sister, 00:33:18.559 --> 00:33:20.559 or that he's telling the truth now 00:33:20.559 --> 00:33:21.920 and that he married his half-sister? 00:33:22.000 --> 00:33:22.900 I don't know which is better. 00:33:24.500 --> 00:33:27.180 I mean, he doesn't come out looking so good either way, right? 00:33:27.180 --> 00:33:27.220 Right? 00:33:30.859 --> 00:33:31.759 That's excuse two. 00:33:31.879 --> 00:33:32.539 Excuse three, 00:33:32.680 --> 00:33:35.180 and when God caused me to wander from my father's house, 00:33:35.220 --> 00:33:36.119 so maybe it's God's fault, 00:33:36.359 --> 00:33:37.140 I said to her, 00:33:37.240 --> 00:33:39.879 this is the kindness you must do to me 00:33:39.879 --> 00:33:41.279 at every place to which we come. 00:33:41.400 --> 00:33:42.640 Save me, he is my brother. 00:33:42.799 --> 00:33:45.279 That word kindness is the Hebrew word hesed, 00:33:45.640 --> 00:33:46.839 which is, some of you will be aware, 00:33:46.900 --> 00:33:48.940 is a weighty word in the Old Testament. 00:33:49.099 --> 00:33:50.740 It's often used of God's kindness, 00:33:50.900 --> 00:33:52.640 of his covenant love, 00:33:52.680 --> 00:33:54.480 of his steadfast love. 00:33:55.279 --> 00:33:58.359 It first appears in the Bible in the previous chapter 00:33:58.359 --> 00:34:01.299 where Lot is speaking about the Lord's kindness 00:34:01.299 --> 00:34:02.799 in saving him, 00:34:03.439 --> 00:34:04.719 in saving his life. 00:34:06.939 --> 00:34:08.359 And here's Abraham saying, 00:34:08.460 --> 00:34:09.659 when Sarah lied, 00:34:10.539 --> 00:34:12.779 it was actually kindness to her husband. 00:34:14.960 --> 00:34:16.099 In verse 12, 00:34:16.199 --> 00:34:18.659 he tried to pass off his deception as true, 00:34:18.880 --> 00:34:20.239 truly she's my sister. 00:34:21.159 --> 00:34:22.139 In verse 13, 00:34:22.199 --> 00:34:23.739 he tried to pass it off as kindness, 00:34:24.859 --> 00:34:25.960 as steadfast love, 00:34:25.960 --> 00:34:26.679 truth and love, 00:34:26.760 --> 00:34:27.039 together, 00:34:27.500 --> 00:34:27.740 you know, 00:34:27.800 --> 00:34:30.139 two core attributes of God himself. 00:34:32.840 --> 00:34:34.760 And these are the sum total of 00:34:34.760 --> 00:34:37.740 the prophet Abraham's words in this chapter. 00:34:38.320 --> 00:34:38.460 I mean, 00:34:38.500 --> 00:34:40.280 what a dismal performance it is. 00:34:42.480 --> 00:34:44.679 Abraham could hardly have done any worse 00:34:44.679 --> 00:34:45.820 in Gerah 00:34:45.820 --> 00:34:48.539 than if he had set out intentionally 00:34:48.539 --> 00:34:50.619 to sully the name of God, 00:34:50.619 --> 00:34:55.739 which only accentuates how remarkable 00:34:55.739 --> 00:34:57.199 is Abimelech's response, 00:34:57.779 --> 00:34:59.199 which is clearly prompted 00:34:59.199 --> 00:35:00.460 by what God had said 00:35:00.460 --> 00:35:02.119 and not by what Abraham had said. 00:35:02.179 --> 00:35:03.079 Look at verse 14. 00:35:04.079 --> 00:35:06.039 Then Abimelech took sheep and oxen 00:35:06.039 --> 00:35:07.839 and male servants and female servants 00:35:07.839 --> 00:35:09.039 and gave them to Abraham 00:35:09.039 --> 00:35:10.079 and returned Sarah, 00:35:10.159 --> 00:35:10.579 his wife, 00:35:10.639 --> 00:35:10.980 to him. 00:35:11.799 --> 00:35:12.819 And Abimelech said, 00:35:13.139 --> 00:35:13.480 behold, 00:35:13.619 --> 00:35:15.039 my land is before you, 00:35:15.359 --> 00:35:15.799 dwell, 00:35:16.079 --> 00:35:16.739 or live in it, 00:35:16.799 --> 00:35:18.239 where it pleases you. 00:35:18.239 --> 00:35:20.479 To Sarah he said, 00:35:20.579 --> 00:35:20.819 behold, 00:35:20.939 --> 00:35:21.819 I've given your brother 00:35:21.819 --> 00:35:23.259 a thousand pieces of silver. 00:35:23.519 --> 00:35:24.739 It's a sign of your innocence 00:35:24.739 --> 00:35:25.859 in the eyes of all 00:35:25.859 --> 00:35:26.919 who are with you 00:35:26.919 --> 00:35:28.119 and before everyone 00:35:28.119 --> 00:35:29.019 you are vindicated. 00:35:29.119 --> 00:35:31.059 He showers Abraham with gifts. 00:35:31.799 --> 00:35:31.939 You know, 00:35:31.959 --> 00:35:32.739 similar to the gifts 00:35:32.739 --> 00:35:34.099 that Pharaoh gave Abraham 00:35:34.099 --> 00:35:34.939 in chapter 12 00:35:34.939 --> 00:35:35.919 was a bride price, 00:35:36.039 --> 00:35:37.619 but these are just gifts, right? 00:35:38.479 --> 00:35:39.579 He returns Sarah, 00:35:40.279 --> 00:35:41.939 he invites Sarah to dwell 00:35:41.939 --> 00:35:43.319 wherever he likes 00:35:43.319 --> 00:35:44.119 in Abimelech's land, 00:35:44.179 --> 00:35:45.619 that is not to sojourn, 00:35:45.939 --> 00:35:47.339 but to live. 00:35:48.239 --> 00:35:49.459 To settle down there 00:35:49.459 --> 00:35:50.239 if he wants to. 00:35:51.799 --> 00:35:53.319 He gives a specific gift 00:35:53.319 --> 00:35:54.959 of a thousand pieces of silver, 00:35:55.119 --> 00:35:56.679 a very large sum, 00:35:57.399 --> 00:35:59.519 as a sign that nothing untoward 00:35:59.519 --> 00:36:00.619 had happened between 00:36:00.619 --> 00:36:01.899 Abimelech and Sarah. 00:36:03.099 --> 00:36:03.859 You may notice the, 00:36:04.579 --> 00:36:06.159 I've given your brother 00:36:06.159 --> 00:36:08.159 a thousand, 00:36:08.319 --> 00:36:10.639 maybe a little pointed jab 00:36:10.639 --> 00:36:12.399 at the pair for their deception. 00:36:12.859 --> 00:36:13.839 But in all of this, 00:36:13.879 --> 00:36:14.399 you've got to say, 00:36:14.459 --> 00:36:15.459 Abimelech displays 00:36:15.459 --> 00:36:16.239 remarkable magnanimity 00:36:16.239 --> 00:36:17.799 to someone who's just 00:36:17.799 --> 00:36:18.659 deceived him 00:36:18.659 --> 00:36:19.899 and brought great sin 00:36:19.899 --> 00:36:20.519 on his people 00:36:20.519 --> 00:36:21.899 and brought the entire people 00:36:21.899 --> 00:36:22.559 into danger. 00:36:24.399 --> 00:36:25.359 Of the two, 00:36:25.479 --> 00:36:26.459 Abimelech's conduct 00:36:26.459 --> 00:36:27.879 is by far 00:36:27.879 --> 00:36:28.819 the more commendable 00:36:28.819 --> 00:36:30.379 and Abraham's 00:36:30.379 --> 00:36:30.939 in this chapter 00:36:30.939 --> 00:36:31.799 is by far 00:36:31.799 --> 00:36:32.859 the more blameworthy. 00:36:38.119 --> 00:36:39.179 Which just makes it 00:36:39.179 --> 00:36:40.279 all the more noteworthy 00:36:40.279 --> 00:36:41.159 when we remember 00:36:41.159 --> 00:36:42.079 God's words 00:36:42.079 --> 00:36:43.179 in verse 7. 00:36:43.179 --> 00:36:45.699 which is not that Abraham 00:36:45.699 --> 00:36:46.559 needed the prayers 00:36:46.559 --> 00:36:47.319 of Abimelech, 00:36:48.199 --> 00:36:49.779 but Abimelech 00:36:49.779 --> 00:36:50.460 needed the prayers 00:36:50.460 --> 00:36:51.000 of Abraham. 00:36:53.779 --> 00:36:54.719 And so we come 00:36:54.719 --> 00:36:55.299 to the aftermath 00:36:55.299 --> 00:36:56.359 in verse 17. 00:36:57.319 --> 00:36:58.239 Then Abraham 00:36:58.239 --> 00:37:00.119 prayed to God 00:37:00.119 --> 00:37:02.899 and God healed Abimelech 00:37:02.899 --> 00:37:04.279 and also healed 00:37:04.279 --> 00:37:05.059 his wife 00:37:05.059 --> 00:37:07.199 and female slaves 00:37:07.199 --> 00:37:08.000 so that they 00:37:08.000 --> 00:37:08.699 bore children. 00:37:08.699 --> 00:37:10.079 for the Lord 00:37:10.079 --> 00:37:10.839 had closed 00:37:10.839 --> 00:37:11.799 all the wombs 00:37:11.799 --> 00:37:12.399 of the house 00:37:12.399 --> 00:37:13.079 of Abimelech 00:37:13.079 --> 00:37:14.039 because of Sarah, 00:37:14.519 --> 00:37:15.439 Abraham's wife. 00:37:16.219 --> 00:37:17.239 We see Abraham's 00:37:17.239 --> 00:37:18.019 intercession 00:37:18.019 --> 00:37:19.299 for Abimelech 00:37:19.299 --> 00:37:20.199 which is 00:37:20.199 --> 00:37:21.359 immediately effective. 00:37:21.839 --> 00:37:22.679 God heals 00:37:22.679 --> 00:37:23.539 Abimelech 00:37:23.539 --> 00:37:24.139 and his entire 00:37:24.139 --> 00:37:24.679 household. 00:37:25.939 --> 00:37:26.739 God had brought 00:37:26.739 --> 00:37:28.659 on his whole 00:37:28.659 --> 00:37:29.259 household 00:37:29.259 --> 00:37:30.000 an inability 00:37:30.000 --> 00:37:31.000 to conceive 00:37:31.000 --> 00:37:32.159 because of Sarah, 00:37:32.339 --> 00:37:33.179 Abraham's wife. 00:37:33.179 --> 00:37:37.019 it's kind of 00:37:37.019 --> 00:37:37.940 part punishment 00:37:37.940 --> 00:37:39.179 for Abimelech's 00:37:39.179 --> 00:37:40.199 inadvertent sin. 00:37:41.159 --> 00:37:42.019 It's also part 00:37:42.019 --> 00:37:42.759 protection 00:37:42.759 --> 00:37:43.500 of Sarah 00:37:43.500 --> 00:37:44.539 and God's promise. 00:37:46.699 --> 00:37:47.779 God decreed 00:37:47.779 --> 00:37:48.159 that none 00:37:48.159 --> 00:37:49.119 in Abimelech's 00:37:49.119 --> 00:37:50.179 house could conceive 00:37:50.179 --> 00:37:51.059 so long as Sarah 00:37:51.059 --> 00:37:51.819 was among them 00:37:51.819 --> 00:37:53.460 but now he lifts 00:37:53.460 --> 00:37:53.739 that, 00:37:53.839 --> 00:37:54.659 he heals them, 00:37:55.079 --> 00:37:56.039 he restores life 00:37:56.039 --> 00:37:56.699 to Abimelech, 00:37:56.980 --> 00:37:57.619 his household, 00:37:57.879 --> 00:37:58.399 his people. 00:37:58.400 --> 00:38:02.139 There's a final 00:38:02.139 --> 00:38:03.099 irony here though, 00:38:03.280 --> 00:38:03.920 isn't there? 00:38:04.480 --> 00:38:04.980 If we've been 00:38:04.980 --> 00:38:06.840 following Abraham's 00:38:06.840 --> 00:38:07.700 life and story. 00:38:08.660 --> 00:38:09.840 If Abraham's 00:38:09.840 --> 00:38:10.700 prayer could so 00:38:10.700 --> 00:38:11.980 quickly heal 00:38:11.980 --> 00:38:12.680 Abimelech's 00:38:12.680 --> 00:38:14.059 wife and servants 00:38:14.059 --> 00:38:14.920 and open 00:38:14.920 --> 00:38:16.320 all the wombs 00:38:16.320 --> 00:38:17.260 of the house 00:38:17.260 --> 00:38:17.980 of Abimelech, 00:38:19.639 --> 00:38:20.360 what of Sarah 00:38:20.360 --> 00:38:20.980 herself 00:38:20.980 --> 00:38:22.559 whose womb 00:38:22.559 --> 00:38:23.420 had been closed 00:38:23.420 --> 00:38:23.940 these many 00:38:23.940 --> 00:38:24.940 decades past? 00:38:26.380 --> 00:38:27.200 Let's leave 00:38:27.200 --> 00:38:27.820 that question 00:38:27.820 --> 00:38:29.660 in closing 00:38:29.660 --> 00:38:30.220 I want to draw 00:38:30.220 --> 00:38:30.700 together some 00:38:30.700 --> 00:38:31.840 threads from 00:38:31.840 --> 00:38:32.360 chapter 20 00:38:32.360 --> 00:38:32.880 as a whole. 00:38:33.960 --> 00:38:34.480 I mean what is 00:38:34.480 --> 00:38:35.480 this chapter doing 00:38:35.480 --> 00:38:36.340 here in the book 00:38:36.340 --> 00:38:36.780 of Genesis? 00:38:36.960 --> 00:38:37.559 Why do we have 00:38:37.559 --> 00:38:38.200 it, this funny 00:38:38.200 --> 00:38:38.760 little chapter? 00:38:40.500 --> 00:38:41.080 For one thing 00:38:41.080 --> 00:38:41.600 it shows us 00:38:41.600 --> 00:38:42.140 the persistence 00:38:42.140 --> 00:38:42.740 of sin. 00:38:43.740 --> 00:38:44.260 We've seen 00:38:44.260 --> 00:38:44.780 this kind of 00:38:44.780 --> 00:38:45.400 thing before. 00:38:46.580 --> 00:38:47.160 Here Abraham 00:38:47.160 --> 00:38:48.100 makes the same 00:38:48.100 --> 00:38:48.800 mistake in 00:38:48.800 --> 00:38:49.460 chapter 20 00:38:49.460 --> 00:38:50.500 that he'd made 00:38:50.500 --> 00:38:51.440 way back in 00:38:51.440 --> 00:38:52.140 chapter 12. 00:38:52.320 --> 00:38:53.240 The same mistake 00:38:53.240 --> 00:38:53.960 at age 100 00:38:53.960 --> 00:38:54.840 that he made 00:38:54.840 --> 00:38:55.820 at age 75. 00:38:55.820 --> 00:38:57.900 25 years 00:38:57.900 --> 00:38:58.580 had passed. 00:38:59.440 --> 00:39:00.300 25 years 00:39:00.300 --> 00:39:00.860 of God's 00:39:00.860 --> 00:39:02.120 steady work 00:39:02.120 --> 00:39:03.019 in Abraham's 00:39:03.019 --> 00:39:03.400 life. 00:39:04.360 --> 00:39:05.180 Is he a 00:39:05.180 --> 00:39:06.019 changed man? 00:39:07.480 --> 00:39:08.140 Well, 00:39:08.480 --> 00:39:09.180 perhaps, 00:39:09.660 --> 00:39:10.080 somewhat. 00:39:12.160 --> 00:39:13.180 But it 00:39:13.180 --> 00:39:13.620 didn't take 00:39:13.620 --> 00:39:14.460 much for 00:39:14.460 --> 00:39:14.840 the old 00:39:14.840 --> 00:39:15.460 fears 00:39:15.460 --> 00:39:17.320 to resurface. 00:39:18.100 --> 00:39:19.000 It didn't 00:39:19.000 --> 00:39:19.559 take much 00:39:19.559 --> 00:39:20.200 for the old 00:39:20.200 --> 00:39:20.960 sins 00:39:20.960 --> 00:39:22.220 to reappear. 00:39:22.219 --> 00:39:24.659 isn't it 00:39:24.659 --> 00:39:24.980 the same 00:39:24.980 --> 00:39:25.359 for each 00:39:25.359 --> 00:39:25.779 of us? 00:39:27.000 --> 00:39:27.359 God 00:39:27.359 --> 00:39:27.899 changes 00:39:27.899 --> 00:39:28.519 us, 00:39:29.519 --> 00:39:31.399 but old 00:39:31.399 --> 00:39:32.000 habits die 00:39:32.000 --> 00:39:32.439 hard. 00:39:33.899 --> 00:39:34.279 I was 00:39:34.279 --> 00:39:34.739 speaking with 00:39:34.739 --> 00:39:35.439 someone recently 00:39:35.439 --> 00:39:36.159 who was well 00:39:36.159 --> 00:39:36.879 aware of the 00:39:36.879 --> 00:39:37.519 sins of his 00:39:37.519 --> 00:39:38.719 youth and 00:39:38.719 --> 00:39:39.419 how quickly 00:39:39.419 --> 00:39:42.419 he would just 00:39:42.419 --> 00:39:43.159 fall into any 00:39:43.159 --> 00:39:43.639 temptation. 00:39:44.699 --> 00:39:45.259 He said 00:39:45.259 --> 00:39:46.019 whatever temptation 00:39:46.019 --> 00:39:46.739 came he would 00:39:46.739 --> 00:39:47.399 just run after 00:39:47.399 --> 00:39:47.619 it. 00:39:47.619 --> 00:39:49.440 And he 00:39:49.440 --> 00:39:49.819 said to me, 00:39:49.839 --> 00:39:50.659 he feels like a 00:39:50.659 --> 00:39:51.179 new man 00:39:51.179 --> 00:39:51.659 now, 00:39:52.659 --> 00:39:53.880 but he 00:39:53.880 --> 00:39:54.859 prays every 00:39:54.859 --> 00:39:56.079 day that 00:39:56.079 --> 00:39:56.480 the old 00:39:56.480 --> 00:39:56.900 man will 00:39:56.900 --> 00:39:57.599 not reassert 00:39:57.599 --> 00:39:58.059 itself. 00:40:01.059 --> 00:40:01.799 Let anyone 00:40:01.799 --> 00:40:02.319 who thinks 00:40:02.319 --> 00:40:02.940 he stands 00:40:02.940 --> 00:40:04.139 take heed 00:40:04.139 --> 00:40:04.819 lest he 00:40:04.819 --> 00:40:05.119 fall. 00:40:05.119 --> 00:40:08.500 But I 00:40:08.500 --> 00:40:08.779 don't think 00:40:08.779 --> 00:40:09.059 that's the 00:40:09.059 --> 00:40:09.599 main function 00:40:09.599 --> 00:40:10.039 of Genesis 00:40:10.039 --> 00:40:10.460 20, 00:40:10.639 --> 00:40:12.139 as helpful 00:40:12.139 --> 00:40:12.659 it might 00:40:12.659 --> 00:40:13.019 be to 00:40:13.019 --> 00:40:13.400 see the 00:40:13.400 --> 00:40:13.759 persistence 00:40:13.759 --> 00:40:14.339 of sin, 00:40:15.339 --> 00:40:15.759 potential 00:40:15.759 --> 00:40:16.119 persistence 00:40:16.119 --> 00:40:16.500 of sin 00:40:16.500 --> 00:40:16.779 in our 00:40:16.779 --> 00:40:17.219 lives. 00:40:18.179 --> 00:40:18.900 The main 00:40:18.900 --> 00:40:19.440 function of 00:40:19.440 --> 00:40:19.980 this chapter 00:40:19.980 --> 00:40:20.519 and of this 00:40:20.519 --> 00:40:20.980 episode in 00:40:20.980 --> 00:40:21.460 the life of 00:40:21.460 --> 00:40:22.179 Abraham is 00:40:22.179 --> 00:40:22.960 to demonstrate 00:40:22.960 --> 00:40:23.900 God's 00:40:23.900 --> 00:40:24.859 absolute 00:40:24.859 --> 00:40:25.739 commitment 00:40:25.739 --> 00:40:26.819 to the 00:40:26.819 --> 00:40:27.400 promise of 00:40:27.400 --> 00:40:28.179 Genesis 12 00:40:28.179 --> 00:40:28.759 verse 3. 00:40:29.799 --> 00:40:30.079 So have a 00:40:30.079 --> 00:40:30.239 look at 00:40:30.239 --> 00:40:30.799 Genesis 12 00:40:30.799 --> 00:40:31.199 verse 3 00:40:31.199 --> 00:40:31.579 with me. 00:40:32.319 --> 00:40:32.819 Genesis 12 00:40:32.819 --> 00:40:33.279 verse 3. 00:40:33.280 --> 00:40:37.519 Genesis 12 00:40:37.519 --> 00:40:38.100 verse 3. 00:40:38.760 --> 00:40:39.120 Part of 00:40:39.120 --> 00:40:40.000 those initial 00:40:40.000 --> 00:40:40.880 promises God 00:40:40.880 --> 00:40:41.360 made to 00:40:41.360 --> 00:40:41.880 Abraham when 00:40:41.880 --> 00:40:42.400 he sent 00:40:42.400 --> 00:40:42.920 him out 00:40:42.920 --> 00:40:43.960 toward the 00:40:43.960 --> 00:40:44.720 promised land, 00:40:44.860 --> 00:40:45.220 toward the 00:40:45.220 --> 00:40:45.519 land of 00:40:45.519 --> 00:40:45.840 Canaan. 00:40:47.180 --> 00:40:47.720 Genesis 12 00:40:47.720 --> 00:40:48.180 verse 3. 00:40:48.320 --> 00:40:48.900 God promised, 00:40:49.080 --> 00:40:49.720 I will bless 00:40:49.720 --> 00:40:50.280 those who 00:40:50.280 --> 00:40:51.000 bless you 00:40:51.000 --> 00:40:52.380 and him 00:40:52.380 --> 00:40:53.120 who dishonours 00:40:53.120 --> 00:40:53.780 you I will 00:40:53.780 --> 00:40:55.580 curse and 00:40:55.580 --> 00:40:56.540 in you all 00:40:56.540 --> 00:40:57.360 the families 00:40:57.360 --> 00:40:58.060 of the earth 00:40:58.060 --> 00:40:58.500 shall be 00:40:58.500 --> 00:40:59.000 blessed. 00:41:00.720 --> 00:41:01.320 In part that 00:41:01.320 --> 00:41:01.860 promise of 00:41:01.860 --> 00:41:02.519 Genesis 12 00:41:02.519 --> 00:41:03.060 verse 3 is a 00:41:03.059 --> 00:41:03.460 promise of 00:41:03.460 --> 00:41:04.099 protection. 00:41:05.860 --> 00:41:06.699 And we 00:41:06.699 --> 00:41:07.279 see God's 00:41:07.279 --> 00:41:08.179 protection of 00:41:08.179 --> 00:41:08.980 Abraham and 00:41:08.980 --> 00:41:09.719 God's protection 00:41:09.719 --> 00:41:10.779 of Sarah in 00:41:10.779 --> 00:41:11.559 Genesis 20. 00:41:12.480 --> 00:41:13.739 We see God 00:41:13.739 --> 00:41:14.420 protect them 00:41:14.420 --> 00:41:15.179 from Abimelech's 00:41:15.179 --> 00:41:17.219 power, protect 00:41:17.219 --> 00:41:17.840 them from their 00:41:17.840 --> 00:41:18.460 own folly. 00:41:19.340 --> 00:41:20.659 We see God 00:41:20.659 --> 00:41:22.219 judge Abimelech 00:41:22.219 --> 00:41:22.639 for his 00:41:22.639 --> 00:41:23.480 mistreatment 00:41:23.480 --> 00:41:24.599 of them. 00:41:25.139 --> 00:41:25.519 Him who 00:41:25.519 --> 00:41:26.440 dishonours you I 00:41:26.440 --> 00:41:27.759 will curse as 00:41:27.759 --> 00:41:28.420 God had promised 00:41:28.420 --> 00:41:29.779 in chapter 12 00:41:29.779 --> 00:41:30.299 verse 3. 00:41:30.300 --> 00:41:35.420 God is 00:41:35.420 --> 00:41:37.539 safeguarding his 00:41:37.539 --> 00:41:38.340 own promise 00:41:38.340 --> 00:41:39.700 that at the 00:41:39.700 --> 00:41:40.600 proper time 00:41:40.600 --> 00:41:41.900 Sarah would 00:41:41.900 --> 00:41:43.140 bear Abraham 00:41:43.140 --> 00:41:44.160 a son. 00:41:47.400 --> 00:41:48.440 God remains 00:41:48.440 --> 00:41:49.320 just as committed 00:41:49.320 --> 00:41:50.019 to his people 00:41:50.019 --> 00:41:50.580 to the present 00:41:50.580 --> 00:41:50.960 day. 00:41:50.960 --> 00:41:55.400 God is 00:41:55.400 --> 00:41:56.000 God 00:41:56.000 --> 00:41:56.740 I will 00:41:56.740 --> 00:41:57.559 not fear. 00:41:58.559 --> 00:41:59.280 What can 00:41:59.280 --> 00:41:59.780 man do 00:41:59.780 --> 00:42:00.119 to me? 00:42:02.179 --> 00:42:02.940 What can 00:42:02.940 --> 00:42:03.579 anyone do 00:42:03.579 --> 00:42:04.099 to us 00:42:04.099 --> 00:42:05.500 who have 00:42:05.500 --> 00:42:05.980 the promises 00:42:05.980 --> 00:42:06.559 of God? 00:42:06.559 --> 00:42:06.599 God? 00:42:09.059 --> 00:42:09.860 But actually 00:42:09.860 --> 00:42:10.299 the promise 00:42:10.299 --> 00:42:10.739 of Genesis 00:42:10.739 --> 00:42:11.719 12 verse 3 00:42:11.719 --> 00:42:13.139 which is so 00:42:13.139 --> 00:42:13.980 aptly illustrated 00:42:13.980 --> 00:42:14.679 in chapter 20 00:42:14.679 --> 00:42:15.460 isn't just a 00:42:15.460 --> 00:42:15.880 promise of 00:42:15.880 --> 00:42:16.340 protection. 00:42:18.340 --> 00:42:19.420 It's also a 00:42:19.420 --> 00:42:20.360 declaration of 00:42:20.360 --> 00:42:21.139 God's plan of 00:42:21.139 --> 00:42:21.699 salvation. 00:42:23.639 --> 00:42:24.299 I will bless 00:42:24.299 --> 00:42:24.900 those who 00:42:24.900 --> 00:42:25.619 bless you 00:42:25.619 --> 00:42:26.500 and him who 00:42:26.500 --> 00:42:27.159 dishonours you 00:42:27.159 --> 00:42:28.079 I will curse 00:42:28.079 --> 00:42:28.900 and in you 00:42:28.900 --> 00:42:29.579 all the 00:42:29.579 --> 00:42:30.420 families of 00:42:30.420 --> 00:42:30.940 the earth 00:42:30.940 --> 00:42:31.480 shall be 00:42:31.480 --> 00:42:31.940 blessed. 00:42:33.380 --> 00:42:34.119 Why did 00:42:34.119 --> 00:42:34.880 Abimelech need 00:42:34.880 --> 00:42:35.460 the prayers of 00:42:35.460 --> 00:42:35.840 Abraham? 00:42:35.840 --> 00:42:36.079 Abraham 00:42:36.079 --> 00:42:38.920 because there 00:42:38.920 --> 00:42:39.600 is no 00:42:39.600 --> 00:42:40.820 blessing for 00:42:40.820 --> 00:42:41.440 the families 00:42:41.440 --> 00:42:41.800 of the 00:42:41.800 --> 00:42:42.240 earth 00:42:42.240 --> 00:42:43.840 except through 00:42:43.840 --> 00:42:44.320 Abraham 00:42:44.320 --> 00:42:48.039 and God 00:42:48.039 --> 00:42:48.820 has determined 00:42:48.820 --> 00:42:50.000 to bring the 00:42:50.000 --> 00:42:50.680 nations that 00:42:50.680 --> 00:42:51.240 blessing. 00:42:55.740 --> 00:42:56.519 Abimelech 00:42:56.519 --> 00:42:57.000 needed the 00:42:57.000 --> 00:42:57.480 prayers of 00:42:57.480 --> 00:42:57.860 Abraham 00:42:57.860 --> 00:42:58.539 because he 00:42:58.539 --> 00:42:59.039 needed the 00:42:59.039 --> 00:42:59.880 blessings of 00:42:59.880 --> 00:43:00.539 God and 00:43:00.539 --> 00:43:01.260 there was no 00:43:01.260 --> 00:43:01.960 other way. 00:43:03.740 --> 00:43:04.680 So in 00:43:04.680 --> 00:43:05.340 Genesis chapter 00:43:05.340 --> 00:43:06.740 20 in 00:43:06.740 --> 00:43:07.160 this kind 00:43:07.160 --> 00:43:08.019 of convoluted 00:43:08.019 --> 00:43:08.579 roundabout 00:43:08.579 --> 00:43:10.940 way God 00:43:10.940 --> 00:43:11.760 brings about 00:43:11.760 --> 00:43:13.039 through Abraham's 00:43:13.039 --> 00:43:13.559 sin and 00:43:13.559 --> 00:43:15.720 failure exactly 00:43:15.720 --> 00:43:16.300 the same 00:43:16.300 --> 00:43:17.019 outcome he 00:43:17.019 --> 00:43:17.420 would have 00:43:17.420 --> 00:43:17.940 brought about 00:43:17.940 --> 00:43:18.740 if Abraham 00:43:18.740 --> 00:43:19.460 the prophet 00:43:19.460 --> 00:43:19.980 had been 00:43:19.980 --> 00:43:20.519 faithful. 00:43:23.059 --> 00:43:23.960 That is 00:43:23.960 --> 00:43:25.140 Abimelech 00:43:25.140 --> 00:43:25.579 hears the 00:43:25.579 --> 00:43:25.920 word of 00:43:25.920 --> 00:43:26.280 God, 00:43:27.140 --> 00:43:28.000 he fears 00:43:28.000 --> 00:43:28.460 God, 00:43:29.140 --> 00:43:30.380 he blesses 00:43:30.380 --> 00:43:32.880 Abraham and 00:43:32.880 --> 00:43:33.340 he's healed 00:43:33.340 --> 00:43:33.600 of his 00:43:33.600 --> 00:43:34.220 great sin. 00:43:35.880 --> 00:43:36.539 I will 00:43:36.539 --> 00:43:37.180 bless those 00:43:37.180 --> 00:43:37.900 who bless 00:43:37.900 --> 00:43:38.260 you, 00:43:39.600 --> 00:43:40.019 God had 00:43:40.019 --> 00:43:40.380 promised. 00:43:42.740 --> 00:43:43.380 Of course 00:43:43.380 --> 00:43:43.800 the promise 00:43:43.800 --> 00:43:44.380 to Abraham 00:43:44.380 --> 00:43:45.260 that in you 00:43:45.260 --> 00:43:45.579 all the 00:43:45.579 --> 00:43:46.039 families of 00:43:46.039 --> 00:43:46.280 the earth 00:43:46.280 --> 00:43:46.579 shall be 00:43:46.579 --> 00:43:46.820 blessed 00:43:46.820 --> 00:43:47.340 isn't really 00:43:47.340 --> 00:43:47.980 about Abraham 00:43:47.980 --> 00:43:48.420 at all. 00:43:49.800 --> 00:43:50.480 It's about 00:43:50.480 --> 00:43:50.960 the promised 00:43:50.960 --> 00:43:51.360 son of 00:43:51.360 --> 00:43:51.840 Abraham, 00:43:52.480 --> 00:43:52.980 the seed 00:43:52.980 --> 00:43:53.620 of Abraham, 00:43:54.620 --> 00:43:55.559 a better 00:43:55.559 --> 00:43:56.920 prophet and 00:43:56.920 --> 00:43:57.220 a better 00:43:57.220 --> 00:43:57.800 mediator. 00:43:57.800 --> 00:44:00.280 Abraham 00:44:00.280 --> 00:44:01.080 tried to 00:44:01.080 --> 00:44:01.680 pass off 00:44:01.680 --> 00:44:01.860 his 00:44:01.860 --> 00:44:02.420 deception 00:44:02.420 --> 00:44:03.840 as 00:44:03.840 --> 00:44:04.460 kindness, 00:44:04.880 --> 00:44:06.360 grace and 00:44:06.360 --> 00:44:06.780 truth. 00:44:08.640 --> 00:44:09.519 But the 00:44:09.519 --> 00:44:10.140 son came 00:44:10.140 --> 00:44:10.539 from the 00:44:10.539 --> 00:44:11.340 father full 00:44:11.340 --> 00:44:11.960 of grace 00:44:11.960 --> 00:44:12.560 and truth. 00:44:15.039 --> 00:44:15.720 Abraham 00:44:15.720 --> 00:44:16.600 feared men 00:44:16.600 --> 00:44:17.120 rather than 00:44:17.120 --> 00:44:17.940 trusting God. 00:44:19.920 --> 00:44:20.900 The son 00:44:20.900 --> 00:44:21.480 entrusted 00:44:21.480 --> 00:44:22.140 himself to 00:44:22.140 --> 00:44:22.780 God even 00:44:22.780 --> 00:44:23.280 as men 00:44:23.280 --> 00:44:23.680 did their 00:44:23.680 --> 00:44:24.100 worst. 00:44:24.099 --> 00:44:27.420 Abraham 00:44:27.420 --> 00:44:28.019 gave up 00:44:28.019 --> 00:44:28.500 his wife 00:44:28.500 --> 00:44:28.960 to save 00:44:28.960 --> 00:44:29.460 himself. 00:44:31.059 --> 00:44:31.819 The son 00:44:31.819 --> 00:44:32.299 gave up 00:44:32.299 --> 00:44:32.920 himself to 00:44:32.920 --> 00:44:33.339 save you 00:44:33.339 --> 00:44:33.759 and me. 00:44:36.519 --> 00:44:37.559 If Abimelech 00:44:37.559 --> 00:44:38.500 needed Abraham's 00:44:38.500 --> 00:44:39.039 intercession 00:44:39.039 --> 00:44:40.779 and if 00:44:40.779 --> 00:44:41.380 despite 00:44:41.380 --> 00:44:42.380 Abraham's 00:44:42.380 --> 00:44:43.339 shortcomings 00:44:43.339 --> 00:44:43.339 00:44:43.339 --> 00:44:44.059 His 00:44:44.059 --> 00:44:44.880 intercession 00:44:44.880 --> 00:44:46.199 sufficed, 00:44:47.099 --> 00:44:49.480 how much 00:44:49.480 --> 00:44:49.860 more is 00:44:49.860 --> 00:44:50.619 Jesus Christ 00:44:50.619 --> 00:44:51.119 a full 00:44:51.119 --> 00:44:51.860 and sufficient 00:44:51.860 --> 00:44:52.440 mediator 00:44:52.440 --> 00:44:52.980 for us? 00:44:54.099 --> 00:44:54.659 The 00:44:54.659 --> 00:44:54.900 Holy 00:44:54.900 --> 00:44:55.219 One, 00:44:55.920 --> 00:44:56.159 the 00:44:56.159 --> 00:44:56.500 righteous 00:44:56.500 --> 00:44:56.920 one, 00:44:57.360 --> 00:44:58.099 who died, 00:44:58.239 --> 00:44:58.500 who was 00:44:58.500 --> 00:44:58.960 raised, 00:44:59.079 --> 00:44:59.639 who always 00:44:59.639 --> 00:45:00.079 lives to 00:45:00.079 --> 00:45:00.539 intercede 00:45:00.539 --> 00:45:01.119 for us. 00:45:04.460 --> 00:45:04.799 Our 00:45:04.799 --> 00:45:05.480 experience of 00:45:05.480 --> 00:45:06.079 life is 00:45:06.079 --> 00:45:06.940 often as 00:45:06.940 --> 00:45:07.319 Genesis 00:45:07.319 --> 00:45:07.779 20. 00:45:08.920 --> 00:45:09.199 It's 00:45:09.199 --> 00:45:09.880 full of 00:45:09.880 --> 00:45:10.980 ambiguities 00:45:10.980 --> 00:45:12.339 and 00:45:12.339 --> 00:45:12.699 slippery 00:45:12.699 --> 00:45:13.440 words, 00:45:14.719 --> 00:45:15.000 shabby 00:45:15.000 --> 00:45:15.519 behaviour 00:45:15.519 --> 00:45:16.739 and lurking 00:45:16.739 --> 00:45:17.299 fears. 00:45:17.300 --> 00:45:19.480 things 00:45:19.480 --> 00:45:19.840 even 00:45:19.840 --> 00:45:20.300 the best 00:45:20.300 --> 00:45:20.760 of men 00:45:20.760 --> 00:45:22.680 in our 00:45:22.680 --> 00:45:23.360 experience 00:45:23.360 --> 00:45:24.100 have feet 00:45:24.100 --> 00:45:24.539 of clay. 00:45:26.280 --> 00:45:27.039 In our 00:45:27.039 --> 00:45:27.320 lives 00:45:27.320 --> 00:45:28.019 things rarely 00:45:28.019 --> 00:45:28.680 add up 00:45:28.680 --> 00:45:29.760 and the 00:45:29.760 --> 00:45:30.180 equation 00:45:30.180 --> 00:45:30.500 never 00:45:30.500 --> 00:45:30.920 balances. 00:45:33.920 --> 00:45:34.640 But the 00:45:34.640 --> 00:45:35.000 messiness 00:45:35.000 --> 00:45:35.440 of our 00:45:35.440 --> 00:45:36.120 lives does 00:45:36.120 --> 00:45:36.800 not nullify 00:45:36.800 --> 00:45:37.320 the promise 00:45:37.320 --> 00:45:37.860 of God. 00:45:38.560 --> 00:45:39.280 Rather the 00:45:39.280 --> 00:45:39.620 messiness 00:45:39.620 --> 00:45:40.019 of our 00:45:40.019 --> 00:45:40.539 lives is 00:45:40.539 --> 00:45:41.200 the backdrop 00:45:41.200 --> 00:45:41.940 for the 00:45:41.940 --> 00:45:42.580 promise of 00:45:42.580 --> 00:45:42.880 God. 00:45:42.880 --> 00:45:44.880 God 00:45:44.880 --> 00:45:45.700 and 00:45:45.700 --> 00:45:46.039 especially 00:45:46.039 --> 00:45:46.320 this 00:45:46.320 --> 00:45:46.720 promise. 00:45:50.440 --> 00:45:51.000 God 00:45:51.000 --> 00:45:51.420 gave us 00:45:51.420 --> 00:45:51.760 eternal 00:45:51.760 --> 00:45:53.880 life and 00:45:53.880 --> 00:45:54.440 this life 00:45:54.440 --> 00:45:54.760 is in 00:45:54.760 --> 00:45:54.980 his 00:45:54.980 --> 00:45:55.380 son. 00:45:57.420 --> 00:45:57.980 Whoever 00:45:57.980 --> 00:45:58.500 has the 00:45:58.500 --> 00:45:58.960 son has 00:45:58.960 --> 00:45:59.340 life. 00:46:01.240 --> 00:46:01.800 Whoever 00:46:01.800 --> 00:46:02.220 does not 00:46:02.220 --> 00:46:02.559 have the 00:46:02.559 --> 00:46:02.860 son of 00:46:02.860 --> 00:46:03.180 God 00:46:03.180 --> 00:46:04.240 does not 00:46:04.240 --> 00:46:04.440 have 00:46:04.440 --> 00:46:04.860 life. 00:46:07.860 --> 00:46:08.400 Kiss 00:46:08.400 --> 00:46:08.900 the son 00:46:08.900 --> 00:46:09.400 lest he 00:46:09.400 --> 00:46:09.840 be angry 00:46:09.840 --> 00:46:10.160 and you 00:46:10.160 --> 00:46:10.480 perish 00:46:10.480 --> 00:46:10.840 in your 00:46:10.840 --> 00:46:11.300 way for 00:46:11.300 --> 00:46:11.680 his wrath 00:46:11.680 --> 00:46:12.180 is quickly 00:46:12.179 --> 00:46:13.059 kindled. 00:46:15.659 --> 00:46:16.219 But 00:46:16.219 --> 00:46:16.799 blessed 00:46:16.799 --> 00:46:17.739 are all 00:46:17.739 --> 00:46:18.940 who take 00:46:18.940 --> 00:46:19.579 refuge in 00:46:19.579 --> 00:46:19.839 him. 00:46:22.159 --> 00:46:22.819 Will you 00:46:22.819 --> 00:46:23.139 pray with 00:46:23.139 --> 00:46:23.339 me? 00:46:27.480 --> 00:46:28.039 Heavenly 00:46:28.039 --> 00:46:28.699 Father we 00:46:28.699 --> 00:46:30.799 thank you 00:46:30.799 --> 00:46:31.359 for our 00:46:31.359 --> 00:46:31.599 better 00:46:31.599 --> 00:46:32.259 prophet and 00:46:32.259 --> 00:46:32.599 our better 00:46:32.599 --> 00:46:33.259 mediator 00:46:33.259 --> 00:46:34.500 Jesus 00:46:34.500 --> 00:46:35.239 Christ who 00:46:35.239 --> 00:46:35.839 gave himself 00:46:35.839 --> 00:46:36.719 for us and 00:46:36.719 --> 00:46:37.279 who always 00:46:37.279 --> 00:46:37.739 lives to 00:46:37.739 --> 00:46:38.199 intercede 00:46:38.199 --> 00:46:38.699 for us. 00:46:39.239 --> 00:46:39.759 Thank you 00:46:39.759 --> 00:46:40.480 that through 00:46:40.480 --> 00:46:41.940 his redeeming 00:46:41.940 --> 00:46:42.940 work all 00:46:42.940 --> 00:46:43.740 our great 00:46:43.740 --> 00:46:45.200 sins are 00:46:45.200 --> 00:46:45.880 forgiven and 00:46:45.880 --> 00:46:46.559 taken away 00:46:46.559 --> 00:46:47.559 and we 00:46:47.559 --> 00:46:48.079 are healed. 00:46:48.639 --> 00:46:49.240 Thank you 00:46:49.240 --> 00:46:49.700 that in 00:46:49.700 --> 00:46:50.079 him we 00:46:50.079 --> 00:46:50.639 are blessed 00:46:50.639 --> 00:46:51.720 and we 00:46:51.720 --> 00:46:52.400 are protected 00:46:52.400 --> 00:46:53.840 by your 00:46:53.840 --> 00:46:54.700 sovereign hand 00:46:54.700 --> 00:46:55.220 and your 00:46:55.220 --> 00:46:55.639 spirit. 00:46:56.519 --> 00:46:56.840 And in 00:46:56.840 --> 00:46:57.179 the midst 00:46:57.179 --> 00:46:57.440 of our 00:46:57.440 --> 00:46:57.679 messy 00:46:57.679 --> 00:46:58.440 lives where 00:46:58.440 --> 00:47:00.720 so little 00:47:00.720 --> 00:47:01.360 often makes 00:47:01.360 --> 00:47:01.760 sense, 00:47:02.720 --> 00:47:03.360 we thank you 00:47:03.360 --> 00:47:03.780 for the 00:47:03.780 --> 00:47:04.420 firm and 00:47:04.420 --> 00:47:05.400 secure promise 00:47:05.400 --> 00:47:05.800 that you've 00:47:05.800 --> 00:47:06.400 given us in 00:47:06.400 --> 00:47:06.940 your son, 00:47:07.579 --> 00:47:07.980 in whose 00:47:07.980 --> 00:47:08.380 name we 00:47:08.380 --> 00:47:08.639 pray. 00:47:08.639 --> 00:47:09.400 Amen. 00:47:12.099 --> 00:47:12.099 00:47:12.099 --> 00:47:12.099 00:47:12.099 --> 00:47:12.099 00:47:12.099 --> 00:47:12.099 00:47:12.099 --> 00:47:12.099 00:47:12.099 --> 00:47:12.099 00:47:12.099 --> 00:47:12.099 00:47:12.099 --> 00:47:12.099 00:47:12.099 --> 00:47:12.099 00:47:12.099 --> 00:47:12.099 00:47:12.099 --> 00:47:12.099 00:47:12.099 --> 00:47:12.099 00:47:12.099 --> 00:47:12.099 00:47:12.099 --> 00:47:12.099 00:47:12.099 --> 00:47:12.099 00:47:12.099 --> 00:47:12.099 00:47:12.099 --> 00:47:12.099 00:47:12.099 --> 00:47:12.099 00:47:12.099 --> 00:47:12.099 00:47:12.099 --> 00:47:12.099 00:47:12.099 --> 00:47:12.099 00:47:12.099 --> 00:47:12.099 00:47:12.099 --> 00:47:12.099 00:47:12.099 --> 00:47:12.099 00:47:12.099 --> 00:47:12.099 00:47:12.099 --> 00:47:12.099 00:47:12.099 --> 00:47:12.099 00:47:12.099 --> 00:47:12.099 00:47:12.099 --> 00:47:12.099 00:47:12.099 --> 00:47:12.099 00:47:12.099 --> 00:47:12.099 00:47:12.099 --> 00:47:12.099 00:47:12.099 --> 00:47:12.099 00:47:12.099 --> 00:47:12.099 00:47:12.099 --> 00:47:12.099 00:47:12.099 --> 00:47:12.099 00:47:12.099 --> 00:47:12.099 00:47:12.099 --> 00:47:12.099 00:47:12.099 --> 00:47:42.079 Thank you.