By: N. George
Worth Noting:
- That is why I did not let you touch her. Now return the man’s wife, for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you will live. But if you do not return her, you may be sure that you and all who belong to you will die.”
- Continuing to read this chapter you will realise that Abraham feared if he told the truth to the king that Sarah was his wife he would be killed then she would be taken for marriage as the people of that place had no fear for the God. Their actions depended purely on their wishes as men.
It is a great pleasure to transport one’s-self into the spirit of the times; to see how a wise man has thought before us, and to what a glorious height we have at last carried …..…….. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
More than 15 years ago while still in school a deputy headmaster was posted to our school as usual most of those who occupy that office happen to be the discipline master so he had to get into conflict with some of us in one incidence or the other. His tone was tough but before he punished you he reasoned with you. Not long after he joined the school that he got another transfer.
In the morning parade that he bid us goodbye is when it came to click into the minds of many of us how good he was as he had an ear for us. During his stay we could fear him instead of engage with him especially when we are wrong but his departure made us to think whether we shall ever get any other discipline master who would be willing to support us as he did. Much as he could punish us at times it was justified.
A similar case happens with our parents whenever we are with them they try to make the best of us but many are times we feel that our freedoms have been curtailed by them until that time we are out of their control and get in the hands of someone else who is tougher than them or have minimal concern for us than them.
In the bible book of genesis chapter 20 it reads” Now Abraham moved on from there into the region of the Negev and lived between Kadesh and Shur. For a while he stayed in Gerar and there Abraham said of his wife Sarah, “She is my sister.” Then Abimelek king of Gerar sent for Sarah and took her. But God came to Abimelek in a dream one night and said to him, “You are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken; she is a married woman.” Now Abimelek had not gone near her, so he said, “Lord, will you destroy an innocent nation? Did he not say to me, ‘She is my sister,’ and didn’t she also say, ‘He is my brother’? I have done this with a clear conscience and clean hands.” Then God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know you did this with a clear conscience, and so I have kept you from sinning against me.
That is why I did not let you touch her. Now return the man’s wife, for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you will live. But if you do not return her, you may be sure that you and all who belong to you will die.”
Continuing to read this chapter you will realise that Abraham feared if he told the truth to the king that Sarah was his wife he would be killed then she would be taken for marriage as the people of that place had no fear for the God. Their actions depended purely on their wishes as men.
Someone would think Abraham had low regard for Sarah that is why he let the king take her but the truth is out of his love for Sarah Abraham wished that both stay alive.
Upon realizing the truth the king did not become conclude that Abraham wanted him harmed rather he sought to know the reasons behind his action and once Abraham explained to him Abimelek the king did not hold any grudge against him rather returned his wife in addition he gave him sheep, cattle, male and female slaves and a thousand shekels of silver in addition he let him to choose wherever he would like to live in that land.
In our lives we should not be quick to judge anyone unless we know the reasons for their actions. You may be surprised that the weird behaving person who you criticize is going through a lot that if you were subjected to you could be doing something worse.
When you are with a small kid who misbehaves do not vow never to allow him to accompany you at any other time rather train him how to behave well at all times. Neglecting him will only serve as a punishment to something that he could be innocent about.
Let us be caring for our brothers and sisters. Be ready to listen to them. Congratulate them where necessary and guide them where required to do so.
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