Genesis 20:11 Commentary and Bible Study

Scripture is not like any other book, but is rigorously honest. When human beings write up history, especially where it involves them personally, they tend to cover over their weaknesses and failings. Not so the word of God. This is written from God’s perspective, and although it records the acts of God’s children, it does not pretend that they are better than they really are. It records their sins and exposes their shortcomings. The truth of Scripture does not rest on the integrity of believers, but on the integrity of their heavenly Father. Although God uses human prophets, and Abraham was one of them, the truth of their message from God does not rely on their personal integrity, for God uses fallen human instruments to be his prophets.Of course, there was an element of truth in saying, ‘She is my sister’, but it was no excuse for giving the clear impression that she was not his wife. He had a special duty of care and protection towards his wife which he did not have towards his sister, and he had abandoned Sarah in this respect. Just as a husband must not look upon another woman besides his wife, so he must protect his marriage by not being afraid to call her his wife, otherwise he is aiding and abetting others in committing adultery with her.Then for the first time, Abraham reveals that there was an agreement made before they left Ur of the Chaldees. ‘It came to pass, when God caused me to wander from my father's house, that I said unto her, This is thy kindness which thou shalt shew unto me; at every place whither we shall come, say of me, He is my brother.’ Abraham had travelled with this ploy in mind right from the beginning. Now the providence of God had brought it out into the open in order to compel him to address it. It had been a wrong decision from the start, and now the second time God has brought shame on him for adopting it.