Jehovah Protects Isaac/Christ
Minister: |
Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: |
3/10/2019 PM
|
Text:
|
Genesis 20:2-18
|
Psalters: |
405, 299, 95, 289 |
- Abraham’s sin.
- Abraham moved to the southwest, which is near the land of the Philistines, whose kings were titled “Abimelech” (1).
- Abraham repeats the sin of identifying Sarah as only his sister (12:10ff; 2).
- Abraham was thinking to save his life (11).
- The Philistines and Abimelech lived in such a way that Abraham rightly concluded that the fear of God was not there (11a).
- Apparently Abimelech, as a sovereign, took to himself any woman he desired – even 89 year old Sarah.
- That Abimelech had romantic/sexual intent is obvious from Jehovah’s preventing all conceptions in the king’s house (18).
- God, who establishes His covenant, also preserves and protects it, even and especially in light of the sins of His people.
- Jehovah’s primary care was of the Messiah, the promised Seed, so He might be conceived and born.
- Abimelech responds immediately (“early in the morning”) informed his staff and then called Abraham.
- Again God uses an unbeliever to admonish His child (9,10).
- Abraham’s response was weak, admitting his self-centeredness (11-13).
- Abimelech gifts Abraham with animals and slaves (14), with silver (16)
- God aids and protects married persons, even when they are least deserving it.
- Jehovah delivered Abraham and Sarah and the promised Seed (cf. Psalm 105:15).
- At stake was not just the conception of Isaac, but the Christ (Anointed One).
- God delivered Abraham and Sarah for the sake of the church.
- They lied and it led them into serious trouble; God never lies keeping His covenant promises, no matter how undeserving.
- God’s grace, not man’s works, is magnified. God protected them and protects us, never failing to care for His church.