KEY VERSE:
“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” (GENESIS 20:3).
Abimelech (the Philistine king of Gerar) learned this lesson in a most startling manner when he received a solemn and divine rebuke for an adulterous venture. Abraham and Sarah, his wife, had relocated from Mamre to Gerar, a Philistine district on the south border of Palestine. For fear of being killed for the sake of his beautiful wife, He lied to the people that Sarah was his sister. Upon this, Abimelech took Sarah as part of his harem. God did not only prevent Abimelech from committing adultery with Sarah, but rebuked and ordered him to return her to her rightful husband. Abimelech’s plea of innocence which was hinged on Abraham’s folly of half-truth would not do. He had to restore Sarah to her husband. It was only then that God lifted the affliction that was already placed on him and his family.
The all-knowing God sees the secret of all men and is “of purer eyes than to behold evil…” From God’s perspective, Abimelech was a dead man; so is everyone who lives in sin, irrespective of his status in life. Indeed, most people who are walking around in the world today are dead in sin and trespasses. Worst still, eternal damnation awaits them hereafter.
Thankfully, Abimelech heeded the divine warning, promptly “repented” and restored Abraham his wife. This is the only way to go for every sinner. If you are yet to accept God’s provision for your salvation, take a step toward your redemption today by confessing your sin and accepting Christ as your Lord and personal Saviour.
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