Sermon – Genesis 20 – Where Is Abraham’s Faith?

The Bible tells us that Abraham was a great man of faith. In Hebrews 11, which is commonly known as the Faith Hall of Fame, Abraham is the star attraction. More is said about him than any other person – male or female – in the entire chapter. We read that Abraham pleased God by his faith.
Hebrews 11:1-3 (NLT) … (1) Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. (2) Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation. (3) By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.
Hebrews 11:6 (NLT) … And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.
Hebrews 11:8-10 (NLT) … (8) It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. (9) And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith – for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise. (10) Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God.
And because Abraham trusted God so deeply, we’re told that God made a covenant with him. And this covenant repeated multiple times; and each time, God was reminding Abraham that he would become a great nation.
So, Abraham was a man of great faith, but then we read Genesis 20.
Genesis 20:1-2 (NLT) … (1) Abraham moved south to the Negev and lived for a while between Kadesh and Shur, and then he moved on to Gerar. While living there as a foreigner, (2) Abraham introduced his wife, Sarah, by saying, “She is my sister.” So King Abimelech of Gerar sent for Sarah and had her brought to him at his palace.
After Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed, we read that Abraham moved south. There are a few theories as to why Abraham moved:
- 1 – He had large herds and flocks and needed to move so they could graze.
- 2 – He did not want to look on the ruins of Sodom and Gomorrah.
- 3 – God told him to move (although Scripture doesn’t say this).
Kings of that day had a certain reputation. If they found a woman attractive, they would take them into their harem. And if that woman had a husband, she wouldn’t be married much longer; because her husband would be killed and she would be taken.
This tradition was well-known and Abraham had no desire to allow that to happen to him. He had no problem, it seems, with Sarah joining the king’s harem though. So when he brought his flocks to this region he let it be known that Sarah was his sister, which was technically true – she was his half-sister.

Even though Sarah was 90 years old, she still must have been attractive for the king of this area to want her as an addition to his harem. She was also connected to Abraham’s wealth; and if this king could “marry” into Abraham’s family, then perhaps he could make an alliance or somehow get a hold of that wealth.
During this move, Abraham introduced Sarah as his sister and not his wife. This could be because Abraham was worried about his own protection; and this is a similar lie that he told while in Egypt (Genesis 12:10-13).
Abraham falls back into sinful habits; and stumbles in an area in which he had issues before. Abraham did not trust God fully to protect his life and his family; so he came up with a plan on his own – and we know from previous readings that Abraham and Sarah’s plans have not always worked out well.
Genesis 20:3-7 (NLT) … (3) 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!” (4) But Abimelech had not slept with her yet, so he said, “Lord, will you destroy an innocent nation? (5) Didn’t Abraham tell me, ‘She is my sister’? And she herself said, ‘Yes, he is my brother.’ I acted in complete innocence! My hands are clean.” (6) In the dream God responded, “Yes, I know you are innocent. That’s why I kept you from sinning against me, and why I did not let you touch her. (7) Now return the woman to her husband, and he will pray for your, for he is a prophet. Then you will live. But if you don’t return her to him, you can be sure that you and all your people will die.”
“You are a dead man” would be a scary thing to hear, especially from God, and even in a dream.
God had to say this to Abimelech, even though Abimelech was truly innocent in this account. He did nothing wrong and was unaware that Sarah was already married; and he did not know about the covenant made with her and Abraham.
What would have or could have happened if God had not stepped in and stopped Abimelech from taking Sarah to his bed? It could be possible and some would claim that two different men could have fathered Isaac. And if the father of Isaac could be questioned, then so could the lineage of Jesus.
Since Abimelech was innocent in this whole affair, God prevented him from making it worse. God’s power and grace guided even a pagan king.
Even though Abraham failed to trust God, he was not abandoned. God would not allow Abimelech to sleep with Sarah. Sarah would give birth to Abraham’s son – the son of promise – who would eventually bring about Jesus Christ – the Messiah. God would not leave this to chance – He would not leave this to man to potentially mess up.
Even though Abraham was in the wrong – he messed up – he did it on purpose – he was still a prophet, a man of God, and a man whose prayer could heal. God’s mercy and grace did not abandon Abraham, even though Abraham didn’t trust God the way he should.
Genesis 20:8-10 (NLT) … (8) Abimelech got up early the next morning and quickly called his servants together. When he told them what had happened, his men were terrified. (9) Then Abimelech called for Abraham. “What have you done to us?” he demanded. “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! (10) Whatever possessed you to do such a thing?”
Abimelech, the pagan king was in the right; while Abraham, the man of God, was in the wrong; and Abimelech told it like it was.
Abimelech should not have been treated this way; and his question to Abraham was an honest one and logical one. Abraham was not thinking about God when he lied to Abimelech, but rather his own selfish desires.
Genesis 20:11-13 (NLT) … (11) Abraham replied, “I thought, ‘This is a godless place. They will want my wife and will kill me to get her.’ (12) And she really is my sister, for we both have the same father, but different mothers. And I married her. (13) When God called me to leave my father’s home and to travel from place to place, I told her, ‘Do me a favor. Wherever we go, tell the people that I am your brother.’”
Since Abraham thought Gerar was a godless place, he had an excuse for his lie. Instead of that area being a godless place and not fearing or respecting God, it was Abraham that was lacking. If Abraham had been fully trusting in God, then this episode would have played out differently.
Abraham tries to justify his lie, by saying it was a half-truth. Even though Sarah was, technically, his sister; Abraham was deceiving Abimelech by not revealing all of the information up front.
Abraham also tries to pass some of the blame on to God by saying it was because God had him leave his father’s home and travel from place to place. And since God sent Abraham on a dangerous journey, then Abraham would have to do whatever it took to protect himself and his family.
Does anyone’s translation say that God caused Abraham to “wander” from his father’s house? The Hebrew word that is translated as “wander” appears 50 times in the Old Testament and has connotation of being deceived, lead astray, seduced, or misled. We know that God does not do this, so Abraham is really complaining and looking for anything he can to get out from under his lie.
Instead of apologizing to Abimelech; and even to God; Abraham dug in and did not want to humble himself to this pagan king and admit he was in the wrong.
Genesis 20:14-18 (NLT) … (14) 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. (15) Then Abimelech said, “Look over my land and choose any place where you would like to live.” (16) And he said to Sarah, “Look, I am giving your ‘brother’ 1,000 pieces of silver in the presence of all these witnesses. This is to compensate you for any wrong I may have done to you. This will settle any claim against me, and your reputation is cleared.” (17) Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his female servants, so they could have children. (18) For the LORD had caused all the women to be infertile because of what happened with Abraham’s wife, Sarah.
Abimelech gave Abraham sheep and goats, cattle, and servants. In doing this he was doing what Romans 12:20 (NLT) commands us; (and that points back to Proverbs 25:21-22).
- “If you enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.
Doesn’t this seem backward to you? Shouldn’t it be Abraham giving Abimelech gifts to make up for his deceit?
Abraham also does something here that he has refused in the past. In Genesis 14, we read about Abraham refusing to accept gifts after he and his men rescued Lot after he was taken captive. In Genesis 14:23, Abraham says that he did not want anyone to be able to say that they made him rich – but now, he is becoming richer because of a pagan king. Abraham could not refuse as he lost the moral high ground, unlike before.
Does anyone’s translation have the word “brother” in quotes? There is irony here, and possibly sarcasm, when Abimelech refers to Abraham as Sarah’s brother.
Abimelech’s gift settled anything that could have even been claim that happened against Sarah. Regardless if Sarah was set right by Abimelech’s rebuke of Abraham and his gifts to him; or because Sarah did not complain or argue or fight the situation and was humble; in the end all was clear and it should be.

In summary, Abraham moved south … had Sarah “lie” about being his wife by only revealing a half-truth about being his sister … Abimelech liked what he saw in the 90 year old woman and took her into his harem … God didn’t like this, so He visited Abimelech in a dream and told him that he would die if he touched Sarah … Abimelech repents, gives Abraham his wife back, rebukes Abraham, gives him sheep and cattle and servants, and then tells Abraham he can have whatever land he wants … Abraham then has to humble himself and pray for Abimelech and the nation …
The biggest takeaway from this passage should be this … did Abraham act out of faith or fear? This is the second time he has “lied” about Sarah being his wife.
If we say fear, then how can that be so, because of what we read in Hebrews 11?
How can a man like this, that would lie about his wife for his own safety, at her expense, be a good example for us?
1^st – God tells us that Abraham was a model of godly faith. Repeatedly throughout the new Testament, Abraham is the model of what our faith should be like.
2^nd – God allowed us to read about how Abraham acted when faced with danger in both Egypt and Gerar.
So, what dos God want us to see about and learn from Abraham’s actions?
- Faith isn’t something that you wake up one morning and have.
- Faith doesn’t just happen.
- Faith is a journey.
- Faith is something we learn and develop over a (long) period of time.
- We learn faith; and God is the one who teaches us.
God teaches us faith by putting us in the midst of situations where we have to make painful decisions. Where we have to decide whether to trust Him or our own wisdom. God tests our faith.
Zechariah 13:9 (NLT) compares this process to the refining of precious metals. God says, “I will bring that group through the fire and make them pure. I will refine them like silver and purify them like gold. They will call on my name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘These are my people,’ and they will say, ‘The LORD is our God.’”
What a refiner does is this: He heats precious metals in a cauldron until it become liquified. When this happens, the dross or imperfections, float to the top and are skimmed away.
In the same way, God refines His people. God puts His people into fiery trials or difficult situations so that they’ll learn to trust Him.
This should be an experience we welcome and embrace.
In Psalm 139:23-24 (NLT), David wrote, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
Also, in Psalm 26:2-3 (NLT), we read, “Put me on trial, LORD, and cross-examine me. Test my motives and my heart. For I am always aware of your unfailing love, and I have lived according to your truth.
A ship cannot prove that it has been built well as long it stays in a dry dock. Its hull must get wet; it must face a storm to demonstrate its worth. The same is true of our faith. When we hold true to belief in Christ in spite of life’s storms and criticism, that is when we demonstrate the genuineness of our faith.
God tests His people; and that’s exactly what He was doing with Abraham.
God wanted to create a man of great faith – and so he put Abraham into situations where he would have to choose to trust God or try to do things his own way.
It was no accident Abraham was forced to go down to Egypt; and it was no coincidence that Abraham was brought near the city of Gerar.
Abraham was being tested to see what he’d do; and he failed both times. But each time he failed, Abraham learned that God was faithful; and he learned that God was worthy of his trust.
We shouldn’t fear times of testing because it’s in these times of difficulty that we grow in our faith. And each time we succeed in passing the test, God seeks to reward us and encourage us for our faithfulness.
In Genesis 22, we can read about Abraham’s faith being tested when he is asked to sacrifice his son, Isaac. Now, if this would have happened before his trip to Egypt and Gerar, who knows if Abraham would have been willing to obey God.
We can look back at our lives and see where we have failed and where we have had success. When you look back at your failures, don’t let them resurface and drag you down again. Treat them as learning opportunities for when you are tried next. When your faith is tested, when you are tried; do not rely on your own strength or wisdom or some scheme you’ve concocted, but rather wholly lean on God.
Whatever your failure, whether in public or in private, give them to God and ask Him to give you strength and to guide you the rest of your journey, however long that may be; and wherever the roads may take you.