TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL PASSAGE

DEVOTIONAL

by Sandra Chua

My husband sometimes tells me to counsel or reprimand my daughters. He thinks that they listen to me more than to him. Sometimes, he just wants to avoid getting angry, and he thinks I can discuss it better without exploding. 

Abraham told the people in Gerar that Sarah was his sister, a half-truth, which he later admitted to Abimelech. The Bible is quiet about God’s reaction. We only know that He protected the people from further sin because of the mistake committed by Abraham.  

Did God understand Abraham’s fear? Did He turn a blind eye? Although there is no written direct rebuke from God mentioned in the chapter, I believe that our sovereign Lord rebuked Abraham through Abimelech. Abimelech called for Abraham, saying in Genesis 20:9b-‬10, “No one should ever do what you have done! Whatever possessed you to do such a thing?” He used Abimelech to make Abraham confess his sin. Verse 12 says, “She really is my sister, the daughter of my father though not of my mother, and she became my wife.”

Just as God can send counsel or encouragement through other people, He can also use other people to rebuke us. He could have rebuked Abraham directly. I believe the rebuke from people he thought were godless was a more effective way of teaching Abraham. This so-called “godless” leader had obediently confronted Abraham. He gave him back his wife and promptly paid damages to him. Furthermore, Abimelech also welcomed him to live in his land.

REFLECTION

How have God used other people to rebuke you? Have you thought of how other people view God when He uses them to rebuke us? Is there something God is asking you to confess? 

PRAYER