Question:
“I am wondering if anyone else is pondering something from our Bible readings? Thursday’s reading was in part about Abraham and Sarah and how he presumable “lied” about Sarah being his sister to King Abimelech. Today was in part about his son Isaac doing the very same thing with the same Abimelech. Both prospered from the event, and it changed the course of history, so it seems that it was God ordained. I know that Abraham lived 172 years (I think that’s what it was), and Isaac was conceived after this event. So either Abimelech must have been very young when he desired to have Sarah as his wife, or it was a different Abimelech. Not an important fact I guess, but just leaves me wondering. Have i miss-read something? Is this an example of generational sin? But if it is, then God would not have blessed them afterwards. And to go on in the reading, Abraham bore two sons, Isaac and Ishmael who appear to be pre-ordained to be at strife. Isaac fathered twins who appear to be predestined to be at strife with one another. Having sibling strife in my own family for generations forward and back, also gives me reason to ponder.”
Pastor Patrick's response:
We often make certain assertions about what God would do, how He should act, and the only possible way some thing or another could make sense.
In these assertions, we can cause ourselves confusion. In the dissection of the question itself, we may find our answer.
This question provides for us an incredible learning opportunity as it sets up a model to reshape the way we approach the scripture and help us think biblically.
In these two stories it is true that Abraham and Isaac were both deceptive in their words to Abimelech (who, by the way, in this case were likely two different people as Abimelech, meaning “father of a king” or “my father is king” was a dynastic title, like that of Pharaoh). It’s also true that Abraham was telling a half-truth. Genesis 12:20 shows us that Sarah was, indeed, Abraham’s half-sister. Still, Abraham is fully guilty of a full lie. He is also guilty of another sin. He did not trust that God would protect and provide for him. That sin, along with yours and especially mine, is what nailed Christ to the cross. Yet, even though he sinned, Abraham is called a friend of God.
When looking at descriptive text (text that tells us what happens rather than prescriptive text which tells us how we ought to act) we need to be careful to not assume that because something is recorded in the Bible, and God didn’t immediately smite the culprits, this means God approved.
In fact, God went so far as to stop Abimelech and come to him in a dream to warn him.
God is faithful to his promises even though we fall short on our end of the deal. God honored His promises to Abraham, not BECAUSE of his sin, but in spite of it.
If God never blesses after sin is committed, it sets a scary precedent for you and I. You and I are blessed, forgiven, and saved DESPITE our inability to follow the law perfectly. It’s the whole message of the Gospel, that God forgave us WHILE we were sinners.
As for what Isaac learned from his father, Abraham, I think it’s clearly seen that this is learned deception. Isaac may have been taught these ways and in that case, the behavior and sins of the father can be passed down in example, in habit, and in teaching. Isaac surely learned this behavior from his father, but he was responsible for his own actions just as you and I are and cannot blame our parents for our shortcomings. I learned many ungodly things in my youth by example, but I am responsible for my own actions today, and God does not place on me the guilt of the sins of my parents.
In conclusion, God is always good. He does not bless sin or condone it. He will keep his promises and will give us grace when we fall short, not revoking the goodness of His promise whenever we are unable to keep the law perfectly. He blesses us when we don’t deserve it. We never deserve it. Yet, here I am, a sinner, with breath in my lungs and blessed far beyond measure. God not immediately turning Abraham into a pillar of ash is an example of the same grace He gives me. Thank you LORD!
“I am wondering if anyone else is pondering something from our Bible readings? Thursday’s reading was in part about Abraham and Sarah and how he presumable “lied” about Sarah being his sister to King Abimelech. Today was in part about his son Isaac doing the very same thing with the same Abimelech. Both prospered from the event, and it changed the course of history, so it seems that it was God ordained. I know that Abraham lived 172 years (I think that’s what it was), and Isaac was conceived after this event. So either Abimelech must have been very young when he desired to have Sarah as his wife, or it was a different Abimelech. Not an important fact I guess, but just leaves me wondering. Have i miss-read something? Is this an example of generational sin? But if it is, then God would not have blessed them afterwards. And to go on in the reading, Abraham bore two sons, Isaac and Ishmael who appear to be pre-ordained to be at strife. Isaac fathered twins who appear to be predestined to be at strife with one another. Having sibling strife in my own family for generations forward and back, also gives me reason to ponder.”
Pastor Patrick's response:
We often make certain assertions about what God would do, how He should act, and the only possible way some thing or another could make sense.
In these assertions, we can cause ourselves confusion. In the dissection of the question itself, we may find our answer.
This question provides for us an incredible learning opportunity as it sets up a model to reshape the way we approach the scripture and help us think biblically.
In these two stories it is true that Abraham and Isaac were both deceptive in their words to Abimelech (who, by the way, in this case were likely two different people as Abimelech, meaning “father of a king” or “my father is king” was a dynastic title, like that of Pharaoh). It’s also true that Abraham was telling a half-truth. Genesis 12:20 shows us that Sarah was, indeed, Abraham’s half-sister. Still, Abraham is fully guilty of a full lie. He is also guilty of another sin. He did not trust that God would protect and provide for him. That sin, along with yours and especially mine, is what nailed Christ to the cross. Yet, even though he sinned, Abraham is called a friend of God.
When looking at descriptive text (text that tells us what happens rather than prescriptive text which tells us how we ought to act) we need to be careful to not assume that because something is recorded in the Bible, and God didn’t immediately smite the culprits, this means God approved.
In fact, God went so far as to stop Abimelech and come to him in a dream to warn him.
God is faithful to his promises even though we fall short on our end of the deal. God honored His promises to Abraham, not BECAUSE of his sin, but in spite of it.
If God never blesses after sin is committed, it sets a scary precedent for you and I. You and I are blessed, forgiven, and saved DESPITE our inability to follow the law perfectly. It’s the whole message of the Gospel, that God forgave us WHILE we were sinners.
As for what Isaac learned from his father, Abraham, I think it’s clearly seen that this is learned deception. Isaac may have been taught these ways and in that case, the behavior and sins of the father can be passed down in example, in habit, and in teaching. Isaac surely learned this behavior from his father, but he was responsible for his own actions just as you and I are and cannot blame our parents for our shortcomings. I learned many ungodly things in my youth by example, but I am responsible for my own actions today, and God does not place on me the guilt of the sins of my parents.
In conclusion, God is always good. He does not bless sin or condone it. He will keep his promises and will give us grace when we fall short, not revoking the goodness of His promise whenever we are unable to keep the law perfectly. He blesses us when we don’t deserve it. We never deserve it. Yet, here I am, a sinner, with breath in my lungs and blessed far beyond measure. God not immediately turning Abraham into a pillar of ash is an example of the same grace He gives me. Thank you LORD!