This transcript was auto-generated.

Let's pick it up the text at verse 8

“Early the next morning Abimelek summoned all his officials, and when he told them all that had happened, they were very much afraid. Then Abimelek called Abraham in and said, “What have you done to us? How have I wronged you that you have brought such great guilt upon me and my kingdom? You have done things to me that should never be done.” And Abimelek asked Abraham, “What was your reason for doing this? Abraham replied, “I said to myself, ‘There is surely no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.’

(Gen. 20: 8-11)

Abimelech’s officials are afraid, why are they afraid? The answer is in the verse when God said if you do not restore her know that you shall surely die an all those who are yours. They were afraid that they were going to die as well. So, Abimelech calls Abraham and says to him what have you done to us, how have I offended you that you would bring  to me and on my Kingdom a great sin? What were you thinking of, what was going on in your head why did you do this to me?

Abraham said because I felt sure that they will kill me on account of my wife. Abraham’s now been challenged about why he did this and his response is, well I didn't know there was any God-fearing people around here and I knew my wife was beautiful and I thought you would take her and kill me. In other words, he responded in fear he didn't operate with faith, again he acted out of fear. He then adds.

“Besides, she really is my sister, the daughter of my father though not of my mother; and she became my wife”.

(Gen. 20: 12)

Look closely he didn't exactly lie I told you she was my sister he said which is sort of true because she is my half-sister. This is a case where a half truth is still a whole lie. What's he doing he is simply protecting himself but the only person he's thinking about is himself. 

“And when God had me wander from my father’s household, I said to her, ‘This is how you can show your love to me: Everywhere we go, say of me, “He is my brother.”’”

(Gen 20: 13)

Did you pick up what's going on in that verse, on one level he's just saying you know we had this agreement from the time we left Haran. Look carefully at what he said is this really isn't my fault it's an agreement I had with my wife, and you God are the one who said Sarah was to be my wife and mother of my offspring. Sound familiar? Sounds to me like Adam in the garden, “it's the woman you gave me, that has led me astray.”. “You gave her to me so it's not my fault it's her fault, and ultimately it's your fault by the way God”. That’s what is really going on here underneath his excuses.

I submit to you we've all had a tendency to blame God in difficult situations Ultimately all temptation comes down to doubting the power and the goodness of God and that is what is going on in this passage.

Picking it up in verse 14.

Then Abimelek brought sheep and cattle and male and female slaves and gave them to Abraham, and he returned Sarah his wife to him. And Abimelek said, “My land is before you; live wherever you like.”

(Gen 20: 14-15)

Remember what happened earlier in his life when he rescued Lot from the Kings of the East.  Abraham refused to accept the spoils, but now he accepts this mans offering out of fellowship with the Lord.

To Sarah he said, “I am giving your brother a thousand shekels of silver. This is to cover the offense against you before all who are with you; you are completely vindicated.”

(Gen 20: 16)

So, what's going on here, well we will find out in the next episode.