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Abraham in the Land of the Philistines: XVII

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Abraham in the Land of the Philistines: XVII

9 minuten leestijd Arcering uitzetten

Abraham dwelt for a long time in the area of Hebron, near the oaks of Mamre. It was the place where the Lord had appeared to him several times. In this chapter we read that Abraham journeyed from thence toward the south country. What was the reason that Abraham went away from this place where he had received so many tokens of God’s favor? It is not mentioned in the Bible, but several reasons have been given why the father of the faithful did this. We do not read that he was commanded by the Lord to do so. Do you realize how important it is to know that the Lord will go with us? When a person goes in his own strength, then he will be ashamed, as we can see in this history.

What could have been the reasons why Abraham left Hebron? Some have thought that the view of the destroyed cities was a reason for Abraham to leave there. Especially in the beginning it must have been a terrifying sight. It had been a fruitful valley like the Garden of Eden, and now it had become even worse than a desert because of the sins of the inhabitants which had come before the Lord. Their cup was full, and the wrath of God had destroyed them. It became the Dead Sea.

Another possibility is that sulphurous gases reached also to Mamre and made the land unfruitful to a certain extent. It is possible that one or more of these reasons caused Abraham to leave this place.

Calvin gives yet another reason for Abraham’s move which was not related to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. We know that Abraham was richly blessed by the Lord, and this was also seen by his neighbors, causing enmity in their hearts. Thus it is possible that the friendship he had with some of the inhabitants became sour, and he therefore thought it better to leave that area before the problems increased.


“O God, keep me in the climbing of my years”


Calvin also mentions yet another reason why Abraham moved away. He saw that the whole valley was cursed by the Lord, and therefore he traveled south. Abraham could not live in a country which was cursed by the Lord. By the inspiration of the Holy Spirit Moses has the verb “sojourn,” which expresses only an abiding for a time, or being a stranger in the land. The root word means to live among people who are not blood relatives. Thus, rather than enjoying native civil rights, as a stranger he was dependent on the hospitality of the people.

Jacob described his stay with Laban as a sojourn, for he expected to return to Canaan. When Lot quarreled with the men of Sodom, he was scornfully called a sojourner, that is, a foreigner, one without voice in community affairs (Genesis 19:9).

Between Kadesh and Shur, which is not too far from Gerar, Abraham finally again pitched his tent. He had not traveled outside the territory which was promised to his descendants, because later on this territory belonged to the southern part of the tribe of Judah.

When Abraham came to Gerar, he fell into the same trap as he had almost twenty-five years before in the land of Egypt. He told the people that Sarah was his sister. The Lord has written this sin in His Word as a warning, but also, although it sounds strange, as a comfort. It is a warning that even the most exercised people of God remain so weak in themselves, that without the Lord they cannot resist their evil hearts for one moment. Every moment again they must ask for the keeping and protecting hand of the Lord.

But we said there is also comfort in this history. In what way? you might ask. So many times God’s people must sigh, “O God, keep me in the climbing of my years.” So often the fearful question comes up in their heart, “What will yet be my end?” Then it is possible the Lord brings to their attention this history of Abraham, how the love of the Lord and His faithfulness did not diminish by his behavior, even though it was not good at all. By his trespassing he kept heaven out of his heart, but it could not keep him out of heaven, for the righteousness of Christ is perfect, and His blood cleanses from all sin. This is not said to cover up what is wrong, but it tells us how unchangeable the Lord is for His church.

This history tells us that Abraham still had the same sinful nature in his old age, notwithstanding the many spiritual blessings he had received. The Lord had told him long before, “Walk before Me, and be thou perfect” (Genesisl7:lb). This stayed a difficult lesson for Abraham all the days of his life, as it is for all God’s children. Sin brings much grief in their lives. I hope, young people, when I speak about an old child of God, that you realize how dependent they are and remain upon the Lord. Do you feel this also in your youth? I think that young people need the preservation of the Lord from day to day even more, and therefore we should pray, “Lord, lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from evil.”

Abraham and Sarah sojourned in Gerar, where Abimelech was king. We know the history. He sent a messenger to take Sarah away in order to have her as one of his wives. He had heard that Sarah was Abraham’s sister. Even though she was then about ninety years old, it seems she was still a nice-looking woman. How was this possible? We need only think of the history of Moses. When he was one hundred twenty years old, his strength had not diminished. This could have been in a similar way with Sarah, for with the Lord nothing is too wonderful.

The name Abimelech means, “My father is king.” This was probably the title of all the kings of Gerar by descent from the previous king. The same is found in Egypt, where all the kings are called Pharaoh. In a spiritual sense all God’s children may bear this title, because God is their Father, who is King over all the earth. Still most of God’s children do not dare to speak with such freedom about their relationship with God. It is a nearer benefit which the Lord can give to His children. When one may learn this by the operation of the Holy Spirit, then the Lord has led him further on the way of salvation, and he may know that Christ died also for his sins and is risen for his justification. He may then also know that Christ ascended into heaven to prepare a place for His children. This is not a mere historical knowledge, but it is the experience of his own heart.

Abraham and Sarah fell into the same sin a second time, which is more serious in light of the fact that they should have learned from their former experience in Egypt. This sin was also aggravated by the fact that at this time Abraham had received much more light and insight by instruction from on high, especially in that the promise that he was to receive a son was soon to be fulfilled (Genesis 18:10). It seemed by his own doings that it never would come to pass, because the king of Gerar took Sarah away to his palace. How could the promise of the Lord be fulfilled? It seemed impossible, but is there anything too wonderful for the Lord?

During one of those nights the Lord appeared to Abimelech in a dream. From this we can learn that the Lord also appeared to persons who did not belong to His people. Some build their salvation on a dream or a vision, but this history shows how dangerous this is. Still, how enticing can be the content of a dream, and then one rests upon it. God’s Word shows us a safer way in 2 Peter 1:19, “We have a more sure word of prophecy.” It has to be according to God’s Word, which for many people is too sharp.

The Lord spoke to Abimelech, “Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man’s wife,” that is, married to a husband. The Lord confronted Abimelech with the sword of His righteousness. The Lord does this with every one at one time or another. When our conscience testifies against us, or when we have a fear of death, then the Lord confronts us with His holy displeasure. The great question is, of course, where does it bring us? The Lord must sanctify His calling by the Spirit, for otherwise we soon forget it, and it does not bring forth fruit of humiliation before God. How often has the Lord already called us? Has it brought a real change and a renewal in our life? If you must say, “No,” ask then the Lord to give yet that true confession in your life.

The king said to the Lord, “Lord, wilt Thou slay also a righteous nation?” Furthermore, he told the Lord that he did not know that Sarah was Abraham’s wife. In this case he was innocent in his own eyes. We see that Abimelech had some knowledge that God punishes sin, but here he did not sin intentionally. The Lord agreed and confirmed that He had prevented Abimelech from sinning against Him. This means that the Lord had stretched out His hand over Sarah, although she and Abraham were also guilty of sin. How privileged is the person who may experience that the Lord is His keeper.

— to be continued —

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Bekijk de hele uitgave van zondag 1 januari 1995

The Banner of Truth | 28 Pagina's

Abraham in the Land of the Philistines: XVII

Bekijk de hele uitgave van zondag 1 januari 1995

The Banner of Truth | 28 Pagina's