Genesis 20: Deja vu

Summary: Abraham leaves the land in which he is living. He introduces Sarah in the next place they stay as his sister. Abimilech takes her into his Harem. Abimilech is visited in a dream and told that he is a dead man. He protests that his heart is pure; he didn't know Sarah was Abraham's wife. He returns Sarah to Abraham, rebukes him for saying she was his sister, and gives Abraham gifts. Abraham prays for Abimilech.

Personal Reflection: See my Genesis 12 entry for a more complete discussion of the some of the points in this chapter.

Mostly what I want to say about this chapter is that I think Abimilech is an awesome person. I think we should say more about him. He was a really good guy. He didn't know that Sarah was Abraham's wife, and when he found out, he made the right decision. I think Abimilech is one of coolest non-Israelites in the whole of scripture.

One question that could be asked in this chapter is "Why is Abraham traveling around again?" I'm not sure of the answer to that question. David Guzik suggests that it may be because he doesn't want to live overlooking the destroyed cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.