The end of Genesis 21 tells us about a visit from an old “friend.” This devotional reading looks at another encounter between Abraham and Abimelech.
Nuggets
- Abraham and Abimelech’s relationship had been built on shaky ground.
- Since a good relationship wasn’t really established, Abimelech wanted to establish a treaty with Abraham.
- This is the first time we are told that Abraham dug wells.
- Treaties were similar to covenants.
- Abraham planted a tamarisk tree where he worshiped Jehovah
Abraham had a life just as everyone else does. People come in and out of them all the time.
At this point in Abraham’s life, he had an acquaintance walk across the corner of his life again.
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Devotions in the Abraham the Patriarch series
A Visit from Abimelech
“About this time, Abimelech came with Phicol, his army commander, to visit Abraham …” (Gen. 21: 22 NLT)
Abraham and Abimelech’s relationship had been built on shaky ground.
It has been a minute since we discussed Abraham and Abimelech. Their relationship didn’t start off on a good note. Abraham lied to Abimelech.
Abraham had moved to Gerar, probably in search of pastureland. Abimelech, probably a Philistine, was the king of Gerar.
Abraham was more concerned about his life in the lawless region – again – than his wife’s safety. He tried to pass Sarah off as his sister.
Just as the Pharaoh had done in Egypt, Abimelech “… brought [Sarah] to him at his palace” (Gen. 20: 2 NLT). He may have done this in order to form an alliance through marriage with Abraham.
Whatever the reason for Abimelech taking Sarah, Jehovah intervened. He came to Abimelech in a dream.
This had to have occurred some time between the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in 1861 BC and the birth of Isaac in 1860 BC. Abraham was living in Mamre when Sodom and Gomorrah was destroyed.
At the time of this story, it was at least 1858. According to its placement — which may or may not be chronological, it was after Isaac was weaned.
Abimelech didn’t come alone. He brought his army commander, Phicol. This was probably due to the perilousness of the journey. If Abimelech thought he would need military support when talking to Abraham, I think Phicol would have been mentioned more than just at the arrival and departure.
A Treaty with Abimelech
“‘… God is obviously with you, helping you in everything you do,’ Abimelech said. ‘Swear to me in God’s name that you will never deceive me, my children, or any of my descendants. I have been loyal to you, so now swear that you will be loyal to me and to this country where you are living as a foreigner.’ Abraham replied, ‘Yes, I swear to it!’” (Gen. 21: 22-24 NLT)
Since a good relationship wasn’t really established, Abimelech wanted to establish a treaty with Abraham.
Leale discussed why Abimelech felt this way. Let’s face it. Even though Abimelech and Abraham got off on the wrong foot, Abraham’s success was something that would have been attractive to Abimelech.
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I doubt Abimelech knew of Jehovah’s blessing. “I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you” (Gen. 12: 3 NLT).
What Abimelech did know was that Abraham’s success came from Jehovah.
We talked about Sarah may or may not have been pregnant when the fiasco happened with Abimelech. Either way, Abimelech would have acknowledged the miracle needed for this old couple to have conceived a child.
But Abimelech’s view would also be a worldview. Don’t we like to have successful, influential friends?
It may have been that — after they got Abraham’s deception straightened out — Abimelech saw Abraham as he really was. He would have seen a goodness in Abraham.
Still, Abimelech prefaced the treaty with one condition — don’t deceive me or mine again. He was telling Abraham that for however long it had been since Abraham had been living in the country as a foreigner, he had been loyal to him despite the initial deception.
Abimelech was wanting a little reassurance that that loyalty would not be returned with more deception n the future.
Abraham’s answer was immediate. “Yes, let’s make a treaty.”
Remember, Abraham’s reason for the deception was that he thought the land was lawless. He would have been told, I am sure, that Jehovah came to speak to Abimelech.
Working Out a Problem
“Then Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well that Abimelech’s servants had taken by force from Abraham’s servants. ‘This is the first I’ve heard of it,’ Abimelech answered. ‘I have no idea who is responsible. You have never complained about this before’” (Gen. 21: 25-26 NLT)
This is the first time we are told that Abraham dug wells.
It is logical that Abraham would dig wells. He needed water for his flocks.
This will be confirmed when we get to Genesis 26. “So the Philistines filled up all of Isaac’s wells with dirt. These were the wells that had been dug by the servants of his father, Abraham” (Gen. 26: 15 NLT).
When I googled it, it said these wells were a source of water for his family, servants, and livestock.
So, go back to Hagar and Ishmael. When Abraham told them they had to leave, they would probably have been traveling from well to well. If Abraham built them for family use, and not just livestock use, they would have been depending on these wells.
If the wells had been commandeered by the pre-Philistines, they may not have let travelers use them. That is especially true for travelers association with the man who dug them in the first place and from whom they commandeered them.
Elements of a Treaty
“Abraham then gave some of his sheep, goats, and cattle to Abimelech, and they made a treaty. But Abraham also took seven additional female lambs and set them off by themselves. Abimelech asked, ‘Why have you set these seven apart from the others?’ Abraham replied, ‘Please accept these seven lambs to show your agreement that I dug this well’” (Gen. 21: 27-30 NLT)
Treaties were similar to covenants.
We’ve talked about the process of establishing a covenant. Covenants are agreements, contracts, or promises between two parties to perform the responsibilities listed in the covenant. It is formally binding.
A bond would be formed to mutually benefit both parties. Acceptance of the responsibilities of the covenant is shown by giving an oath.
There were several elements in covenants. Many included a time of fellowship centered around a meal.
- Covenant established
- Blessings of the covenant
- Sign of the covenant
- Acceptance of the responsibilities of the covenant
- Promise of the covenant Covenant established
- Blessings of the covenant
- Sign of the covenant
- Acceptance of the responsibilities of the covenant
- Promise of the covenant
A treaty is similar because it is formal and binding. It also requires responsibilities.
The differences are treaties are political, and covenants, with Jehovah. That makes covenants a divine commitment, meaning breaking it carries a higher price for disobedience.
Jehovah initiated the covenants. Either party could initiate a treaty.
Abraham Worshiped
“Then he named the place Beersheba (which means “well of the oath”), because that was where they had sworn the oath. After making their covenant at Beersheba, Abimelech left with Phicol, the commander of his army, and they returned home to the land of the Philistines. Then Abraham planted a tamarisk tree at Beersheba, and there he worshiped the Lord, the Eternal God. And Abraham lived as a foreigner in Philistine country for a long time” (Gen. 21: 31-34 NLT)
Abraham planted a tamarisk tree where he worshiped Jehovah.
The tamarisk tree was the sign of the covenant — treaty — that the two men forged. It was a slow-growing tree or bush that thrived in the arid environment of the Negev. “Abraham moved south to the Negev and lived for a while between Kadesh and Shur, and then he moved on to Gerar …” (Gen. 20: 1 NLT).
Because of this hardiness, it would have been a perfect symbol for a treaty or covenant. It symbolized permanence and endurance.
That would have resonated with Abraham. Look what Raymond said. He wrote,
“Earlier in Genesis (12:7ff) God had promised Abraham that he would give his descendants this land. Now, nearly a quarter century later Abraham is standing in the land with the son of the promise in his tent. He is planting a tree in the land and declaring the faithfulness of God.”
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Yeah. A quarter of a century is a long time to wait.
It is interesting that Abraham didn’t build an altar. But that is also logical. The altars were just between Abraham and Jehovah.
But think about it this way. By planting a tamarisk tree, Abraham was showing Jehovah that he had faith God would provide — even if it was provision some time in the future, as it would take many years for the tree to mature.
By the way, a tamarisk tree also played a role in the life of King Saul. “The news of his arrival in Judah soon reached Saul. At the time, the king was sitting beneath the tamarisk tree on the hill at Gibeah, holding his spear and surrounded by his officers” (I Sam. 22: 6 NLT).
Saul was also buried under a tamarisk tree. “Then they took their bones [Saul and his three sons] and buried them beneath the tamarisk tree at Jabesh, and they fasted for seven days” (I Sam. 31: 13 NLT).
Making the Connections
Hughes made an interesting statement. He wrote, “What was done by Abraham with God’s approbation might be turned to sin by man’s superstition. So the groves.”
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We may start out with Jehovah’s approval, but it may turn into a sin. How can that be?
Superstition is “a belief or practice resulting from ignorance, fear of the unknown, trust in magic or chance, or a false conception of causation.”
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In other words, it is an unjustifiable attitude toward Jehovah.
Groves, in God’s Word, was a place where pagans went to worship false gods. This was particularly tied to Asherah and Baal. This makes groves a good example of some holy that was desecrated for purposes of idolatry.
Our actions become a sin when we try to manipulate Jehovah. We make it more of a ritual, charm, or other practice than trusting in Jehovah.
We aren’t believing with an inward faith. We are relying on an outward action.
Don’t we do that with prayer? If I ask enough timers, Jehovah will give me what I want. If I get down on my knees, Jehovah will see me as being submissive — and give me what I want. If I avoid something, God will see me as righteous.
Even attending church can become a ritual. Our motivation can be wrong.
Worst of all is when we attribute a something Jehovah has done to Satan. Pastor Steve and I had a discussion the other day. He thinks this could be part of the unpardonable sin.
How Do We Apply This?
Watch the company we keep.
Remember we are to be in the world but not of it.
Father God. We must interact with people every day. Help us to choose our friends wisely. Amen.
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