I. A Familiar Story (20:1-2)

A. Abraham Leaves the Land Again

B. Abraham Enacts the Same Deceptive Plan

C. Pagan King Does the Same Thing

D. God Intervenes Again

II. A Dreamy Courtroom Scene – (20:3-7)

A. God’s Accusation – You are a dead man

B. Internal Evidence – Abimelech had not approached her

C. Abimelech’s Defense

1. Question: Will you kill an innocent people?

2. Evidence a. Abraham & Sarah lied b. I acted out of ignorance

II. A Dreamy Courtroom Scene – (20:3-7)

A. God’s Accusation – You are a dead man

B. Internal Evidence – Abimelech had not approached her

C. Abimelech’s Defense

D. God’s Decision

1. You are innocent 2. You must return Sarah

III. An Embarrassing Confrontation (20:8-13)

A. Abimelech’s Accusations 1. What have you done to us?

2. What did I do to you?

B. Abraham’s Defense

1. I thought there was no fear of God here (Irony)

2. She is my “sister” (Rationalization)

3. What did you see?

3. God caused me to wander (Blame-shifting)

IV. A Surprising Outcome – (20:14-18)

A. Abimelech’s Amends

1. He gives Abraham wealth (sheep, oxen, servants)

2. He gives Abraham his wife back 3. He gives Abraham his pick of the land 4. He gives 1,000 pieces of silver

B. Abraham’s Prayer

1. Abimelech is healed 2. The wombs of the women are opened

WHAT WE LEARN…

A. From Abraham

1) God will continue to take you to the fence until you finally jump it

2) What is your fence?

WHAT WE LEARN…

B. From God 1) His grace is proactive

2) The hope of the world is God’s promises; not man’s faithfulness

WHAT WE LEARN…

C. About Jesus

1) All of God’s promises are “Yes” and “Amen” in Jesus – 2 Cor. 1:19-20

2) He is the fullness of grace – John 1:14-16