May 6, 2025

DAILY BIBLE READING

Genesis 20 – Abraham’s Encounter with Abimelech: God’s Protection in Human Failure

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 Bible Text – 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, “She is my sister”: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah.
3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, “Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man’s wife.”
4 But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, “Lord, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation?
5 Said he not unto me, ‘She is my sister’? and she, even she herself said, ‘He is my brother’: in the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands have I done this.”
6 And God said unto him in a dream, “Yea, 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.”
…
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, “Behold, my land is before thee: dwell where it pleaseth thee.”
16 And unto Sarah he said, “Behold, 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.”
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 Abraham’s wife.

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Introduction

In Genesis 20, Abraham again resorts to fear-driven deception, claiming Sarah as his sister. Yet God intervenes—warning King Abimelech in a dream, vindicating Sarah’s honor, and safeguarding His covenant promises. This chapter reminds us that even our failures cannot thwart God’s protective plan.

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Commentary

1. Abraham’s Fear and Compromise (vv. 1–2)
   • Fearing for his life, Abraham repeats his “she is my sister” half-truth (cf. Gen. 12).
   • This expedient shows human weakness under threat.
2. Divine Intervention through a Dream (vv. 3–7)
   • God appears to the pagan king Abimelech in a midnight vision.
   • He rebukes him for taking another man’s wife, yet acknowledges Abimelech’s innocence: “I withheld thee from sinning against me.”
3. Abimelech’s Righteous Response (vv. 8–16)
   • 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.
4. Abraham’s Intercession and Restoration (vv. 17–18)
   • Abraham prays for Abimelech’s household; God heals them and opens their wombs.
   • This confirms that God honors intercession and mercy restores blessing.

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Summary

Though Abraham’s fear leads him to deception, God’s faithful intervention preserves Sarah’s dignity and the integrity of His promise. Abimelech’s integrity stands out under divine correction. Ultimately, Abraham’s prayer brings healing and fruitfulness back to the king’s household.

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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.
• God’s grace outpaces our frailties—we can trust Him when fear tempts us to compromise.

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May 4–10, 2025

WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING

Ellen G. White │ Patriarchs and Prophets – Chapter 3

“The Temptation and the Fall”

Read online here

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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 consequences—guilt, separation from God, suffering, and death. Yet even here, God’s mercy shines through: He does not abandon humanity but promises redemption.

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Commentary

1. Satan’s Purpose and Deception
   • Driven by envy, Satan seeks to lure humanity away from obedience to God.
   • He selects the most beautiful creature—the serpent—as his instrument.
   • Eve departs from Adam and the safety of their fellowship, taking the first step toward temptation.
2. Attack on God’s Word
   • Satan questions the very words of God: “Did God really say…?”
   • He lies: “You will not surely die”—the first great deception.
   • His aim: sow doubt, distrust, and rebellion against God’s character and commands.
3. The Fall
   • Eve listens to the serpent, sees the fruit, takes and eats.
   • Adam likewise eats, out of love for Eve—a tragic, deliberate choice.
   • Immediately they feel shame, fear, and guilt—they recognize their nakedness.
4. Divine Judgment
   • God seeks them: “Where are you?”
   • Adam shifts blame onto Eve—and 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.
5. First Promise of the Gospel (v. 15)
   • The Proto-Evangelium: “He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”
   • The first announcement of the Redeemer—victory over Satan is assured.
6. Mercy Amid Judgment
   • God clothes Adam and Eve in garments of skin.
   • The Garden is barred—not merely as punishment but to prevent eternal life in sin.
   • A hope remains for restoration in the “new Eden” (Revelation 21–22).

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Summary

The Fall marks the beginning of all human suffering but also the moment when God’s mercy appears. Adam and Eve’s decision to transgress God’s command was no minor slip—it was a fundamental breach of trust and obedience. Yet God speaks not only judgment but also grace, promising a Savior.

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Application for Today

• God warns and protects but never forces—true 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, “Where are you?”
• Jesus is the promised offspring who crushed the serpent’s head. In Him we find hope, restoration, and new life.
• Our obedience today reflects our love for God—not as a work to earn His favor, but as a response to His grace.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/6-05-2025-genesis-chapter-20-believe-his-prophets/