HEAR Journaling - Genesis 20
Highlight – Genesis 20:1-7 New Living Translation
Abraham Deceives Abimelech
20 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. 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 you, 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.”
Explain – Abraham’s wife Sarah must have been a very beautiful woman. Abraham feared that Abimelech would kill him to have his wife Sarah, so he conspired with Sarah to agree that he would introduce her as his sister. God, of course, was fully aware of everything that was going on and came in a dream to Abimelech so that he would not have sexual relations with Sarah. God’s instructions were such that Abimelech would not punish Abraham for his lies, and Abimelech’s people were spared any retribution from God.
Apply – We can learn that we should avoid reasoning with our own mind alone, but to rely on the Lord who’s indwelling Holy Spirit will lead us unto all Truth. Abraham’s lies could have had a severe impact on Abimelech’s people, as the lies that we tell have greater impact than we can know. God’s ways are the best ways, no sin is worth the impact that it may bring.
Romans 6:23 ESV For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Galatians 6:7-8 ESV Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
Proverbs 14:12 ESV There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
James 4:17 ESV So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.
Isaiah 59:2 ESV But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.
1 John 1:9 ESV
Respond- Lord, thank You for You never wavering faithfulness. Thank You for listening to the effective prayers of the righteous. Help me Lord to hear you clearly and obediently follow You through eternity. I pray for those that are ignoring Your warnings, that they will repent and follow You. Amen.
REPLICATE Ministries, What is a HEAR Journal?
https://replicate.org/what-is-a-hear-journal/
HEAR Journaling Method
https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.cloversites.com/e4/e465d33d-444a-46eb-9922-5cdcb0aaef4d/documents/H.E.A.R_journal_method.pdf
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