Genesis 20 = Back to the future past future ?

4
4


ABRAHAM IN EGYPT

Genesis 12:10-13 There was famine in the country, and Abram went down to Egypt to stay there for a time, since the famine in the country was severe. When he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, 'Look, I know you are a beautiful woman. When the Egyptians see you they will say, "That is his wife," and they will kill me but leave you alive. Therefore please tell them you are my sister, so that they may treat me well because of you and spare my life out of regard for you.'

Genesis 12-20 (This story is now amplified.) Genesis leaps backwards from 20 to 12. This was probably to keep continuity with the story of Abraham and Lot. It's important to realize when studying Scriptures, there is not always obligatory time stamps, even with chronological events, as in Gen. 20. Grouping themes serves specific learning and prophetic purpose. This is my impression of Revelation 20, as well. Even in the hard and fast eschatologesic events in Revelation, continuity on prophetic levels supercedes chronological dating of transcribing literal events. There's a general pattern of logical chronology in Genesis, but, then, it goes back and forth. So does Revelation, on several occasions.

Genesis 12.

Because of the famine, Abram and Sarai,
go down towards Egypt. In Chapter 12,
Abimelech is called "Pharoah" and
this region, "Egypt," but, in 20,
Pharoah is called only Abimelech King
of Gerar, a region in Southern Palestine.
It's a little mind-trip because, it almost
seems like these two kings, Pharoah and
King of Gerar, are two different ones.

Abram and Sarai were 1/2 brother and sister,
in their father's harem of wives. Abram's stately
bedoin entourage, and Sarai's beauty were beacons
to the princes of Abimelech, and Sarah was taken
to the Imperial household and compound, and
Abram was given a dowry of sheep, oxen, and
servants, because, she represented him as her
brother, not her husband.

Both of them knew it was dishonest, but, held
to it, because, it was a 1/2 lie, since they
were brother and sister. Yet, a lie is a lie.

At 65 years old, she is obviously still
a knockout. She is considered a potential
bride for Pharoah, Abimelech.

The LORD is not discouraged by sanctifying
Senior Citizens to serve him. Moses was 80,
and Abram was in his 70s when he was called.
Sarah was 65, and still looked gorgeous: She
was considered youthful enough to be a potential
royal bride!

Gen 12:3

And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

Many new details are given in Gen 20.
It's an interesting harmony of two chapters.

Abraham is technically the founder of all
of our religions, whether Christian or Jew,
or Muslim, or Hindu. Yet, it's in the sanctity
of Isaac's miraculous birth, which will determine
the fate of nations in the end.
======================================================

The LORD appeared to Abraham. He appeared to Abimelech in a dream.
---------------------------------------

Gen 20:1	And Abraham journeyed from thence toward the south country, and dwelled between Kadesh and Shur. and sojourned in Gerar. Kadesh x 18 : Hebrew for 06946 Kadesh/ HOLY x 18 Qadesh {kaw-dashe'} Kadesh = "holy" a city in the extreme south of Judah, the same as 'Kedesh' and 'Kadesh-barnea' __________________________ Hagar found the sacred well, Beerlahairoi, between Kadesh and Bered : Gen 16:14 ______________________________ Miriam died in Kadesh: Numbers 20:1 Kadesh 17, Meribahkadesh + 1; 18 Gen 16:14 Wherefore the well was called Beerhahairoi ; behold, [it is] between Kadesh 06946 and Bered . _____________ Kadesh is where Moses's sister Miriam died: Num 20:1 Then came the children of Israel [even] the whole congregation, into the desert of Zin in the first month: and the people abode in Kadesh 06946; and Miriam04813 died there, and was buried there. ______________________ Shur Hebrew for 07793 Shur/Shuwr x 6 Shur = "wall" - A place southwest of Palestine on the eastern border or within the border of Egypt: the Israelites passed through the wilderness of Shur after crossing the Red Sea. _____________________________________ ________________________________________ GENESIS 16:7 And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur 07793. _________________________ GENESIS 25:17 And these [are] the years of the life of Ishmael, an hundred and thirty and seven years: and he gave up the ghost and died; and was gathered unto his people. GENESIS 25:18 And they dwelt from Havilah unto Shur, that [is] before Egypt, as thou goest toward Assyria: [and] he died in the presence of all his brethren. ____________________________________Exodus 15:22 So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur 07793;and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water. (unlike Hagar who found a well in Qodesh) Shur 6; 6 _____________________________________ Gerar Hebrew for 01642G@rar x 10 garar/(LODGING PLACE) Gen 26:1 And there was a famine in the land, beside the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went unto Abimelech king of the Philistines unto Gerar. 01642. Gen 26:6 And Isaac dwelt in Gerar: Gen 26:17 And Isaac departed thence, and pitched his tent in the valley of Gerar 01642, and dwelt there . ________________________________________ Gerar = means "a lodging place" 1) a Philistine town south of Gaza, modern "Umm" Gerar 10; 10 _____________________________ Gen 10:19 And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as thou comest to Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest, unto Sodom, and Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, even unto Lasha. _____________________________________________ Gen. 12: 14 And it came to pass, that, when Abram was come into Egypt, the Egyptians beheld the woman that she [was] very fair. Gen 12:15 The princes also of Pharoah saw her, and commended her before Pharoah: and the woman was taken into Pharoah's house __________________________________ Gen 12:13 Say, I pray thee, thou [art] my sister: that is may be well with me for thy sake, and my soul shall live because of thee. _________________________________________________
Gen 20:2	And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She [is] my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah. =========================================== ( Chapter 12 calls him, "Pharoah"... but, in Chapter 20, it only addresses him as Abimelech... God was testing Abimelech the King, Pharoah. He is also showing him His mighty arm, strength and glory.) ----------------------------------------------------------------- Hebrew for 040 Abimelech King of Gerar- Pharoah Abimelech x 67 Abimelech = "Melek is my father" or "my father is king." ___________________ King of Gerar in Abraham's time _____________________________________
Gen 20:3	But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou [art but] a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken, [is] a man's wife. While Abraham snoozes, Abimelech is dreaming. God speaks to him in his dream, and Pharoah listened to every word, taking it to heart. ____________________________________
Gen 20:4	But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, Lord, wilt thou slay a righteous nation? _____________________________________
Gen 20:5	Said he not unto me, She [is] my sister? and she, even she herself said, He [is] my brother: in the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands have I done this. -------------------------------------------- Abram and Sarai were harem 1/2 brother and sister, with the same father It was not forbidden. Abraham and Sarah's deception seemed logical, but, it caused tremendous consequences for innocent people. The innocent often suffer for the selfish motives of powerful people, even good people like Abraham and Sarah. ----------------------------------
Gen 20:6	And God said unto him in a dream, Yea I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her. ================================= The LORD reminds Abimelech that it was He who kept the him from sinning. Pharoah wanted to use his restraint as a bargaining chip, but, our righteousness is like filthy rags, compared to the LORD'S righteousness. The only way to please God is to be humble, and submit to the LORD, like Pharoah was willing to do. -------------------------------------------------------------- Gen 12:18 And Pharaoh called Abram, and said, What [is] this [that] thou hast done unto me? Why didst thou not tell me that she [was] your wife? _____________________________________
Gen 20:7	Now therefore restore the man [his] wife; For he [is] a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore [her] not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that [are] thine. __________________________________ Don't mess with the God of Abraham, His great Prophet! "HE SHALL PRAY FOR THEE AND THOU SHALT LIVE." God does not equivocate. The deal is firm: Restore Abram his wife, and give him the same dowry of sheep, oxen, servants, and full privileges of the royal court. If Abimelech hardened his heart, he would die, after watching those he cared for suffer and die. Restore = (shuwb) x 1066 shuwb {shoob} 1) to return, turn back..blb. return 391, ...again 248, turn 123, ...back 65, ...away 56, restore 39, bring 34, render 19, answer 18, recompense 8, recover 6, deliver 5, put 5, withdraw 5, requite 4, misc 40; 1066 ________________________________________ In Gen 12, we learn of the assundry plagues that convinced Pharoah that Abram was the Prophet of the God Most High. _____________________________________ Gen 12:17 And the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram's wife. __________________________________________ And the LORD [03068] Y@hovah plagued [05060] nega' Pharaoh [06547] Par 'oh and his house [01004] bayeth with great [01419] gadowl plagues [05061] nega' because of [01697] dabar Sarai [08297] Saray Abram's [087] 'Abram wife. [0802] 'ishshah _____________________________________ Plague: Hebrew for 05061 Nega'/Plague x 78 nega' {neh'-gah} - stroke, plague, disease, mark, plague spot ; stroke (metaphorical of disease) ; mark (of leprosy) plague 65, sore 5, stroke 4, stripes 2, stricken 1, wound 1; 78 ________________________________________________ Gen 12:16 And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels. _________________________________ This was a good first step towards unconditional love, and diplomacy in the East, but, this blessing on Egypt and Pharoah would only last for 100 years and those 3 generations. By the time of Moses, 400 years later, Pharoah was hard-hearted. ________________________________
Gen 20:8	Therefore Abimelech rose early in the morning and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ears: and the men were sore afraid. ___________________________________________
Gen 20:9	Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said What hast thou done unto us? and what have I offended thee, that thou hast brought on me and my kingdom a great sin? thou hast done deeds unto me that ought not to be done. _______________________________________________ Gen 12:19 Why saidst thou, She [is] my sister? so I might have taken her to me to wife: now therefore behold thy wife, take [her], and go thy way. ___________________________________________
Gen 20:10	And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What sawest thou, that thou hast done this thing?
Gen 20:11	And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God [is] not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife's sake. How often we prejudge people based on our limited perspective of their culture, and assume they don't have a relationship with God. It's obvious that the Pharoah certainly did obey the LORD's voice, and it mattered greatly to him to please the God of Abraham.
Gen 20:12	And yet indeed [she is] my sister; she [is] the daughter of my father, but, not the daughter of my mother. and she became my wife. Abraham is coming clean, admitting his prejudiced heart, but, he's still trying to justify his half-truth about Sarah.
Gen 20:13	And it came to pass, when God caused me to wander from my father's house, that I said unto her, This [is] thy kindness which thou shalt shew unto me; at every place whither we shall come, say of me, He [is] my brother.
Gen 20:14	And Abimelech took sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and womenservants, and gave [them] unto Abraham, and restored him Sarah his wife.. Gen 21:27 And Abraham took sheep and oxen, and gave them unto Abimelech; and both of them made a covenant. _______________________________________ Abimelech rebuked Abraham, in frustration, but, he treated him like a royal priest/prophet, like a brother, and there was peace in his lifetime, and honor to his crown. __________________________________________
Gen 20:15	And Abimelech said, Behold, my land [is] before thee: dwell where it pleaseth thee. DWELL Hebrew for 03427 x 1088 DWELL/Yawshab yashab {yaw-shab'} to dwell, remain, sit, set, abide;cause cities to be inhabited _____________________________ Psalm 27:4 One [thing] have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell 03427 in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. ______________________________________________ Psalm 61:7 He shall abide 03427 before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, [which] may preserve him. ____________________________________________ Psalm 99:1 The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth03427 [between] the cherubims; let the earth be moved. dwell 437, inhabitant 221, sit 172, abide 70, inhabit 39, down 26, remain 23, in 22, tarry 19, set 14, continue 5, place 7, still 5, taken 5, misc 23; 1088
Gen 20:16	And unto Sarah he said, Behold, I have given thy brother a thousand [pieces] of silver: behold, he [is] to thee a covering of the eyes, unto all that [are] with thee, and with all [other]: thus she was reproved. Hebrew for 0505 THOUSAND/Eleph x 505 'eleph {eh'-lef} A thousand- as a numeral; as a company (troops) ; a company of men under 1 leader, troops ____________________ 'thousand 500, eleven hundred + 03967 3, variant 1, twelve hundred + 03967 1; 505 covering Hebrew for 03682 k@cuwth {kes-ooth'}x8 covering/ K@cuwth x8 Means covering; clothing ____________________ Job 24:7 TThey cause the naked to lodge without clothing, that [they have] no covering 03682 in the cold. covering 6, raiment 1, vesture 1; 8 REPROVE Hebrew for 03198 Yakach {yaw-kahh'} REPROVE x 59 To prove, decide, judge, rebuke, reprove, correct, be right ------------------------------------------------------- Gen 21:25 And Abraham reproved 03198 Abimelech because of a well of water, which Abimelech's servants had violently taken away. reprove 23, rebuke 12, correct 3, plead 3, reason 2, chasten 2, reprover + 0376 2, appointed 1, arguing 1, misc 9; 59
Gen 20:17	So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants, and they bare [children]. The intercession of Abraham restored Pharoah and his household: In 20:7, the LORD tells Abimelech, " Now therefore restore the man [his] wife; For he [is] a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: "
Gen 20:18	For the LORD had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham's wife..