God desires that we choose integrity rather than deception. Proverbs 12: 22 The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth.[1] Abraham had been on a faith journey since God called him out of Ur. Leaving what he knew had to be difficult and dangerous. From the beginning of the call, Abraham had a plan to stay safe.
Genesis 20: 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.’ ” [2]
Repeating a Half-Truth
God had made a covenant with Abraham and repeated it multiple times. Abraham’s faith had grown, but he continued a bad habit of telling a half-truth. He had done it in Egypt (Genesis 12) and now repeated it. Warren Wiersbe says, “A half-truth has just enough fact in it to make it plausible and just enough deception to make it dangerous.”[3] This half-truth was dangerous as it threatened the covenant both times.
Why would Abraham see a need to continue telling this half-truth? By now, Sarah was in her 90’s and possibly pregnant. In Genesis 18, God had promised a son within the year. In the chapter after our story, Isaac will be born. Abraham should be protecting Sarah and Isaac since this is the future of the generations of God’s covenant.
Surprisingly, Abimelech does take Sarah for his harem. More than likely, he did this to create a truce between himself and Abraham. Abimelech may have perceived Abraham as a threat due to his wealth and large entourage of servants.
A Ruined Testimony
Abraham perceived Abimelech as godless, yet Abimelech demonstrated more character than Abraham. Genesis 20: 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?” [4]
God used a pagan king to chastise Abraham for lying. Why would Abimelech listen to the lying Abraham tell about the true God? God meant for Abraham to be a blessing to others, but here, there is only conflict.
Deception will hurt our testimony and ministry opportunities. As we have watched multiple pastors fail in recent months, we can understand the importance of character in our witness. Sometimes, we may be blind to our weaknesses, but God knows them and can help us overcome them.
Psalm 139: 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.[5] Choose integrity rather than deception. To learn more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/when-fear-leads-to-deceit
[1,2,4,5] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.
[3] Wiersbe, W. W. (1991). Be Obedient (p. 88). Victor Books.