Abimelech said to Abraham, “What do these seven ewe lambs, which you have set by themselves, mean?” Genesis 21:29 WEB
When disputes arise, it sometimes takes extraordinary efforts to resolve them. God himself demonstrated his mercy to mankind with the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, resolving the rift between the Lord and sinners. When Abraham demonstrated his faith in God with his willingness to sacrifice his own son Isaac, God provided a ram to take the place of Isaac. As the Lord says in Hosea 6:6, “For I desire mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. WEB”
Abimelech was king of Gerar and Abraham temporarily took up residence there. When he arrived, Abraham presented his wife Sarah as his sister. His motive behind this deception was fear. Sarah was a beautiful woman and Abraham feared that foreigners would kill him to gain access to his wife. Therefore, he presented her as his sister in order to maintain favor with powerful men like Abimelech.
Abimelech’s Dream
Seeing her great beauty, Abimelech sent for Sarah and took her for himself. But, before consummation of the relationship, God visited Abimelech in a dream and warned him saying in Genesis 20:3, “Behold, you are a dead man, because of the woman whom you have taken; for she is a man’s wife. WEB” Abimelech asserted his innocence because of Abraham’s deception and the Lord promised to spare his life if he restored Sarah to her husband.
Abimelech did as God commanded. To restore the relationship with Abraham, Abimelech gave him servants, sheep, and cattle. Abimelech and Abraham continued in fair relations with one another. But, after the king’s servants took a well Abraham established without Abimelech’s knowledge, the prospect of mistrust arose again. To overcome potential conflict, Abraham and Abimelech made a covenant to never deal falsely with one another.
Generosity and Peace
Abraham gave Abimelech sheep and cattle to show his faithfulness to their agreement. The seven ewe lambs were part of their covenant. Abraham gave the seven ewe lambs to Abimelech in representation of his having dug the well that Abimelech’s men took in error. The lambs testify to Abraham’s attempt to resolve the issue of the disputed water well.
These stories illustrate generosity as a means of bringing about peace and benefit to parties in conflict. They serve to show the vital aspect of dealing with one another with genuine concern for mutual well-being. We also learn the difficulties that arise from dealing deceptively with others.
Prayer: “Father God, thank you for the examples of fairness in your holy word. Thank you for encouraging generosity and forgiveness with the story of the seven ewe lambs. Give me wisdom to overcome adversity in my life. Guide my steps in dealing fairly and honestly with others. In Jesus’ name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: Three Who Testify
