LINK: Genesis 20
BACKGROUND
Abraham arrived in Gerar in the land of the Philistines (12 miles south of Gaza and 50 miles south of Hebron). He repeated the same lie as Genesis 12. He told King Abimelech of Gerar that Sarah was his sister because he was afraid of what Abimelech might do to him. God had to intervene in a dream for Abimelech so that he would not have sexual relations with another man's wife.
When Abimelech returned Sarah to Abraham, he said to her, "I am giving your brother . . ." (because Abraham was her half-brother). Interesting that he said that as opposed to "I am giving your husband . . ."
Abraham arrived in Gerar in the land of the Philistines (12 miles south of Gaza and 50 miles south of Hebron). He repeated the same lie as Genesis 12. He told King Abimelech of Gerar that Sarah was his sister because he was afraid of what Abimelech might do to him. God had to intervene in a dream for Abimelech so that he would not have sexual relations with another man's wife.
When Abimelech returned Sarah to Abraham, he said to her, "I am giving your brother . . ." (because Abraham was her half-brother). Interesting that he said that as opposed to "I am giving your husband . . ."
REFLECTION
Abraham did not have faith that God would protect him and have circumstances turn out in his favor. So, he told a half-truth to manipulate the situation.
I worked with a person in ministry once who constantly told half-truths because that person was afraid that situations would not turn out the way that person wanted them to turn out and for self-protection. I would believe what that person told me about what others said. On several occasions, I accidentally found out about the half-truths. It was so hard to work with a person who could not tell the truth! Needless to say, after seeing a pattern over several months, I had to talk to this person about it. In a very loving way, I shared examples of half-truths throughout the eighteen months of our partnership. Sadly, there was no admission like Abraham. It just produced more lies, and this time they were about me to other people! It was heart-wrenching.
Abraham did not have faith that God would protect him and have circumstances turn out in his favor. So, he told a half-truth to manipulate the situation.
I worked with a person in ministry once who constantly told half-truths because that person was afraid that situations would not turn out the way that person wanted them to turn out and for self-protection. I would believe what that person told me about what others said. On several occasions, I accidentally found out about the half-truths. It was so hard to work with a person who could not tell the truth! Needless to say, after seeing a pattern over several months, I had to talk to this person about it. In a very loving way, I shared examples of half-truths throughout the eighteen months of our partnership. Sadly, there was no admission like Abraham. It just produced more lies, and this time they were about me to other people! It was heart-wrenching.
Leviticus 19:11 says, "You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another."
Colossians 3:9 says, "Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices."APPLICATION
Tell the truth in all situations and no half-truths. Lies do catch up with you eventually.
PRAYER
Lord, we trust in You. Help us to not resort to half-truths out of fear. Amen.
Lord, we trust in You. Help us to not resort to half-truths out of fear. Amen.
1 comment:
So glad I am out of a partnership with this person of half-truths. I never understood the need to lie about all the things that person lied about.
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