Abraham’s (repeated) Unbelief - Genesis 20:1-20

Through our study in Genesis, we’ve seen Abraham take some monumental steps of faith but we’ve also seen him stumble repeatedly in unbelief. In chapter 12:10-20, he lies to Pharaoh by asserting that Sarah is his sister. In chapter 16, he acts rashly by impregnating Hagar. This Sunday we’ll consider Genesis 20 in which Abraham again lies and says that Sarah is his sister.

Abraham’s repeated patterns of sin are instructive for us. First, God maintains his covenant with His people graciously and unconditionally. God’s purpose will be accomplished in us despite our wayward deeds. Second, each of us have particular ‘weak points’ of temptation. It’s helpful to know our hearts and our stories and to be on guard against our patterns of sin. Third, while Abraham acts with duplicity, it is King Abimelech who acts with integrity. We have no grounds of moral pride before unbelievers because everything we are is by grace and we belong to the common stock of fallen mankind. Fourth, we may wonder, ‘Why does God permit sin to remain when He calls someone to faith in Christ?” The answer is that God wants us to live a life of continual dependence on Jesus Christ.