Speak His Word Only

Introduction Genesis 20 records Abraham's encounter with Abimelech, king of Gerar . After leaving the region of Mamre, Abraham journeys toward the south and settles temporarily in Gerar. Once again, Abraham identifies Sarah as his sister, and Abimelech takes Sarah into his household. This episode resembles Genesis 12, when Abraham used the same strategy concerning Sarah in Egypt. The repetition is significant. Abraham had walked with God, received covenant promises, witnessed God's power, and interceded for Sodom—yet he still struggled with an old fear. But Genesis 20 is about more than Abraham's failure. The chapter demonstrates God's faithfulness to His covenant promise despite human weakness . Sarah was the woman through whom the promised son, Isaac, was to be born. Genesis 18:10 had already declared that Sarah would bear Abraham a son. Therefore, God intervened before Abimelech could touch her. The promised seed could not be compromised. Genesis 20 consequentl...

 Genesis 15 takes place after Abram’s victory in Genesis 14. Abram had rescued Lot, defeated the invading kings, received the blessing of Melchizedek, and refused the riches offered by the king of Sodom. After these events, the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision : “Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.” — Genesis 15:1 KJV Although Abram had received great promises from God, one major problem remained: he had no child . Abram questioned how God's promise of descendants could be fulfilled when Eliezer of Damascus appeared to be the heir of his household. God answered Abram directly. Eliezer would not be his heir. A son who would come from Abram himself would be his heir. God then brought Abram outside and told him to look toward heaven and count the stars, if he were able: “So shall thy seed be.” — Genesis 15:5 KJV Abram responded with faith: “And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.” — Genesis 15:6 KJV The chapter...

  Genesis 14 records the first major military conflict described in Scripture . A coalition of four eastern kings, led by Chedorlaomer king of Elam , went to war against five kings of the cities of the plain, including the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah . These cities had served Chedorlaomer for twelve years but rebelled in the thirteenth year. In the fourteenth year, Chedorlaomer and his allies invaded the region, defeating several peoples before confronting the rebellious kings in the vale of Siddim . The kings of Sodom and Gomorrah were defeated, and their cities were plundered. Lot, Abram's nephew, was living in Sodom , so he, his household, and his possessions were taken captive. When Abram heard that Lot had been captured, he armed 318 trained servants born in his own house and pursued the invading army. Abram and his men attacked by night, defeated them, and recovered Lot, the people, and the possessions . As Abram returned from victory, two kings came to meet him: the kin...