
π May 6, 2025
π DAILY BIBLE READING
β¨ Genesis 20 β Abrahamβs Encounter with Abimelech: Godβs Protection in Human Failure
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πΒ Bible Text β Genesis 20 (KJV)
1 And Abraham journeyed from thence toward the south country, and dwelled between Kadesh and Shur, and sojourned in Gerar.
2 And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, βShe is my sisterβ: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah.
3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, βBehold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a manβs wife.β
4 But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, βLord, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation?
5 Said he not unto me, βShe is my sisterβ? and she, even she herself said, βHe is my brotherβ: in the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands have I done this.β
6 And God said unto him in a dream, βYea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her.
7 Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine.β
β¦
14 And Abimelech took sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and womenservants, and gave them unto Abraham, and restored him Sarah his wife.
15 And Abimelech said, βBehold, my land is before thee: dwell where it pleaseth thee.β
16 And unto Sarah he said, βBehold, I have given thy brother a thousand pieces of silver: behold, he is to thee a covering of the eyes, unto all that are with thee, and with all other: thus she was reproved.β
17 So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children.
18 For the LORD had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abrahamβs wife.
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π¦ Introduction
In Genesis 20, Abraham again resorts to fear-driven deception, claiming Sarah as his sister. Yet God intervenesβwarning King Abimelech in a dream, vindicating Sarahβs honor, and safeguarding His covenant promises. This chapter reminds us that even our failures cannot thwart Godβs protective plan.
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π¨ Commentary
- Abrahamβs Fear and Compromise (vv. 1β2)
- Fearing for his life, Abraham repeats his βshe is my sisterβ half-truth (cf. Gen. 12).
- This expedient shows human weakness under threat.
- Divine Intervention through a Dream (vv. 3β7)
- God appears to the pagan king Abimelech in a midnight vision.
- He rebukes him for taking another manβs wife, yet acknowledges Abimelechβs innocence: βI withheld thee from sinning against me.β
- Abimelechβs Righteous Response (vv. 8β16)
- At dawn, Abimelech confronts Abraham and demands an explanation.
- He restores Sarah without reproach, compensates Abraham, and invites him to sojourn anywhere in his land.
- Abrahamβs Intercession and Restoration (vv. 17β18)
- Abraham prays for Abimelechβs household; God heals them and opens their wombs.
- This confirms that God honors intercession and mercy restores blessing.
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π© Summary
Though Abrahamβs fear leads him to deception, Godβs faithful intervention preserves Sarahβs dignity and the integrity of His promise. Abimelechβs integrity stands out under divine correction. Ultimately, Abrahamβs prayer brings healing and fruitfulness back to the kingβs household.
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π₯ Message for Today
- God transcends our fears and intervenes to uphold His purposes.
- Integrity and the fear of God shine even in unbelieving hearts.
- We, like Abraham, may intercede on behalf of others despite our own shortcomings.
- Godβs grace outpaces our frailtiesβwe can trust Him when fear tempts us to compromise.
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π May 4β10, 2025
π WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING
π Ellen G. White β Patriarchs and Prophets β Chapter 3
β¨ βThe Temptation and the Fallβ
π Read online here
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π¦ Introduction
Following the perfect account of Creation in Chapter 2, Chapter 3 recounts the most tragic turning point in human history: the Fall. Amidst perfection, peace, and communion with God, the first human pair chooses disobedience. This single act unleashes a cascade of consequencesβguilt, separation from God, suffering, and death. Yet even here, Godβs mercy shines through: He does not abandon humanity but promises redemption.
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π¨ Commentary
- Satanβs Purpose and Deception
- Driven by envy, Satan seeks to lure humanity away from obedience to God.
- He selects the most beautiful creatureβthe serpentβas his instrument.
- Eve departs from Adam and the safety of their fellowship, taking the first step toward temptation.
- Attack on Godβs Word
- Satan questions the very words of God: βDid God really sayβ¦?β
- He lies: βYou will not surely dieββthe first great deception.
- His aim: sow doubt, distrust, and rebellion against Godβs character and commands.
- The Fall
- Eve listens to the serpent, sees the fruit, takes and eats.
- Adam likewise eats, out of love for Eveβa tragic, deliberate choice.
- Immediately they feel shame, fear, and guiltβthey recognize their nakedness.
- Divine Judgment
- God seeks them: βWhere are you?β
- Adam shifts blame onto Eveβand indirectly onto God.
- Eve blames the serpent.
- The consequences: a curse on the serpent, pain for the woman, hardship for the man, and exile from the Tree of Life.
- First Promise of the Gospel (v. 15)
- The Proto-Evangelium: βHe will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.β
- The first announcement of the Redeemerβvictory over Satan is assured.
- Mercy Amid Judgment
- God clothes Adam and Eve in garments of skin.
- The Garden is barredβnot merely as punishment but to prevent eternal life in sin.
- A hope remains for restoration in the βnew Edenβ (Revelation 21β22).
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π© Summary
The Fall marks the beginning of all human suffering but also the moment when Godβs mercy appears. Adam and Eveβs decision to transgress Godβs command was no minor slipβit was a fundamental breach of trust and obedience. Yet God speaks not only judgment but also grace, promising a Savior.
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π₯ Application for Today
- God warns and protects but never forcesβtrue love grants freedom.
- Sin often begins with small steps: moving away from God, doubting His word, and yielding to curiosity.
- Despite our failures, God does not give up on us. He still calls, βWhere are you?β
- Jesus is the promised offspring who crushed the serpentβs head. In Him we find hope, restoration, and new life.
- Our obedience today reflects our love for Godβnot as a work to earn His favor, but as a response to His grace.