Genesis: 20:1-4,9 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 Abimelech king of Gerar sent for Sarah and took her. But GOD came to Abimelech 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 Abimelech had not gone near her, so he said, “LORD, will you destroy an innocent nation? “Did he [Abraham] not say to me, “She is my sister,” and didn’t she [Sarah] also say, ‘He is my brother’……Then Abimelech called Abraham in and said, “What have you done to us? How have I wronged you that you have brought such great guilt upon me and my kingdom? You have done things to me that should not be done.” [New International translation]
Genesis 26:6-9, 12 So Isaac stayed in Gerar. When the men of that place asked him about his wife, he said, “She is my sister,” because he was afraid to say, “She is my wife.” He thought, “The men of this place might kill me on account of Rebekah because she is beautiful.” When Isaac had been there a long time, Abimelech king of the Philistines looked down from a window and saw Isaac caressing his wife Rebekah. So Abimelech summoned Isaac and said, “She is really your wife! Why did you say, ‘She is my sister’?”… [New International translation] That year Isaac’s crops were tremendous---100 times the grain he sowed. For JEHOVAH blessed him. [Living Bible translation]
Summary
The lives of Abraham and Isaac, father and son, are worth examining again and again. Abraham, one of the great patriarchs of the Bible is considered “The Father of Faith,” for Jews, Christians, and Muslims. Abraham is cited for believing in GOD and being obedient. GOD spoke to Abraham, promising to bless Abraham and his descendants. GOD also spoke to Isaac, reaffirming the promise that Abraham’s descendants would be blessed. [Genesis 26:2-5] Isaac enjoyed the prosperity of GOD’s blessings through Abraham. But, both Abraham and Isaac had to first believe. They had to have faith. And, although Abraham and Isaac were great men, neither man was perfect.
The Genesis stories about Abraham’s dealings with the king of Gerar in Genesis chapter 20 and Isaac’s later dealings with the king of Gerar1 many, many years later in Genesis chapter 26, are instructive. There also seems to be a great deal of repetition or parallels in the stories. Some of the parallels include the following:
- Both men experience a famine in the land. [See Genesis 26:1]
- Both stories involve a stay in Gerar.
- Both stories involve Abraham and Isaac each calling “his wife” “his sister.”
- Both stories reference both men creating a deception out of fear.
- Both stories mention a rebuke and concern by Abimelech.
- Both stories involve Abraham and Isaac being blessed by GOD after the deception is revealed.
- Both stories show the GRACE and MERCY and BLESSINGS of GOD.
There are numerous aspects to each of these stories. There are also numerous questions, suitable for a conversation with a friend, a relative, or a Bible study. Here are just a few:
- Do hard times create fear?
- Did Abraham and Isaac have a fear of the unknown (e.g., how someone else might react or what others might do to them), despite the promises of GOD to them about their futures?
- Read Genesis 12, where Abram [before GOD changed his name to Abraham] went to Egypt and told Pharaoh that Sarai [before GOD changed her name to Sarah] was “his sister.” Do you think Abraham (in Genesis 20) learned from his Egyptian (Genesis 12) experience? Did DIVINE intervention deliver Abram/Abraham both times?
- Do you think it would have helped Isaac if Abraham had told Isaac about his fears and failures? Should each generation try to help the next generation?
- Do you think some generations fail to listen or remember the lessons of other generations or learn from history? Do you think people sometimes make the same mistakes over and over again?
- How was each man blessed? How far-reaching was the deception/lies? How were Abimelech and his whole household affected?
- How do these stories reaffirm the GRACE, MERCY, and BLESSINGS of GOD, individually and from generation to generation?
GOD does not want us to fear! GOD wants us to have faith! GOD wants us to remember GOD’s promises.
We can learn a lot from reading the BIBLE. We can learn a lot from studying the BIBLE We can all learn a lot from the BIBLE. Some things are worth repeating.
Some things are not worth repeating.
REPETITION IN EXERCISE.
High Reps and Lower Weights
Sometimes people simply mark “weights” off their list. Or, they mark off heavy barbell weights, thinking the heavier weights or that weight lifting is beyond their age or capacity. However, studies have shown that “lifting a ton” is not the only way to build muscle or “bulk up.” Lower weights with more repetitions can also build muscle. Also mixing high reps and low reps either with the same workout or different workouts may be helpful in “keeping your muscles guessing,” thus stimulating muscle growth and prevent boredom.
Lateral Raises – Targets shoulders, core
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- Stand with your feet about shoulder-width apart holding a pair of lightweight dumbbells (or full water bottles, or cans) at your sides in each hand.
- Lift the weights out and away from your body up to about shoulder height until your body forms a “T” shape.
- Slowly lower the weights down to the start position
- Repeat
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Monkey Curls – Targets shoulders, biceps, core
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- Stand with your feet about shoulder-width apart holding a pair of lightweight dumbbells (or full water bottles, or cans) at your sides in each hand.
- Bring the weights up the sides of your body as you exhale.
- Pull the down the side of your body as you inhale to start position. Try to keep your shoulders relaxed.
- Repeat
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[Modifications: Sit in a straight back chair, with your feet solidly planted on the ground, your butt touching the back of the chair, and your back straight. You can raise one weight on one side at a time or both weights at the same time] If you experience pain, stop. Consult your personal physician if you are taking medication or have a medical condition about exercise programs suitable for you.
LEARNING BY REPETITION
We read and re-read the Bible so we can learn. We can learn to do what GOD wants us to do and learn what GOD does not want us to do. We can learn from the mistakes of others and as well as their triumphs. We learn by reading about the lives of others and about GOD. We study in Sunday School classes to share what we each have learned and to help one another. 2 Tim. 3:16 states:
The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from GOD and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us do what is right. [Living Bible translation]
Pray GOD increases our faith. Pray GOD to increase our ability to learn. Pray GOD to help us do what is right and not fear.
Pray, study, have faith, and BE BLESSED!
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1As one commentary pointed out, it is unlikely that the Abimelech mentioned in Genesis 20 is the same Abimelech mentioned in Genesis 26, given that Abraham was already dead (having lived to age 175) and the events between Genesis 20 (before the birth of Isaac) and Genesis 26 are many years apart. Some speculate that Abimelech may have been a title, like “Pharaoh” or “Caesar. See, The Bible Knowledge Commentary by John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck.
