DAVID:
I haven't changed anything about what I said. I caution you about
surmising evil motives on the part of Abraham that are not established by the
text. Making false charges against a man who is in covenant with God is
dangerous.
SLADE: Making false charge against a man is dangerous.
SLADE FURTHER SAYS: I have a question for you gentlemen. Does God preemptively punish us for sins that we might/will do in the future? Then refer to Gen 12.15-19.
In Genesis 20, we have a slight problem because someone could run with the argument that Isaac is actually he offspring of Avimelekh. Therefore the text goes into great detail to tell us that this is not the right interpretation:
SLADE: Making false charge against a man is dangerous.
SLADE FURTHER SAYS: I have a question for you gentlemen. Does God preemptively punish us for sins that we might/will do in the future? Then refer to Gen 12.15-19.
In Genesis 20, we have a slight problem because someone could run with the argument that Isaac is actually he offspring of Avimelekh. Therefore the text goes into great detail to tell us that this is not the right interpretation:
- Gen 20:3 "Behold, you [Avimelekh] are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is married."
- Gen 20:4 Now Avimelekh had not come near her;
- Gen 20:6 Then God said to [Avimelekh] in the dream, "Yes, I know that in the integrity of your heart you have done this, and I also kept you from sinning against Me; therefore I did not let you touch her.
- Gen 20:7 "Now therefore, restore the man's wife, for [Avraham] is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you will live. But if you do not restore {her,} know that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours."
- Gen 20:16 To Sarah, [Avimelekh] said, "Behold, I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver; behold, it is your vindication before all who are with you, and before all men you are cleared."
As far as the texts
I've given here, I know I'm requoting John in some instances, but I wanted to
put them together in one grouping. Sadly, the text is clear that Sarah would
have been violated had God not interceded miraculously. Kudos to Avimelekh for
listening to the voice of God and the shaking-finger-of-shame to Avraham for
compromising his wife.
--
slade
