Genesis Epic of God - Abraham and his family
Teacher
Lesson Summary
Teacher Wendell Welch led the class through Genesis 20, examining Abraham's troubling decision to deceive King Abimelech of Gerar by claiming his wife Sarah was his sister. Despite having been blessed abundantly by God with wealth, livestock, and influence, Abraham allowed fear to undermine his faith. When Abraham moved to Gerar, he instructed Sarah to tell everyone he was her brother, fearing that the king would kill him to take his beautiful wife. King Abimelech, believing Sarah to be unmarried, took her with the intention of marrying her. However, God intervened through a dream, warning Abimelech that he would die if he did not return Sarah, while assuring him that he had not actually sinned against God. The class discussed whether Abraham and Sarah technically lied or merely deceived—concluding that they deliberately concealed the full truth with deceptive intent. When confronted by the king, Abraham justified his actions by claiming he thought no one in that place respected God and feared for his life. The lesson emphasized that Abraham's actions, though understandable from a human perspective, reflected a lack of trust in God's promises and protection. Even great men of faith struggle with fear and doubt, yet God's grace extends protection even when His people act wrongly.
Key Scriptures
And Abraham said unto Sarah, Our sister; and Abimelech king of Gerar took Sarah. And God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said, Behold, thou art dead, even thou shalt surely die, because the woman which thou hast taken; she is a married woman.
And God said unto Abimelech in a dream, 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. 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. And Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told them all these words; and they were sore afraid.
But Abimelech had not come near unto her: and he said, Lord, wilt thou slay also the righteous man? for I did in good conscience, in the integrity of my heart, when I did this thing.