September 29, 2026

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY:

“At that time Abimelek and Phicol the commander of his forces said to Abraham, ‘God is with you in everything you do. Now swear to me here before God that you will not deal falsely with me or my children or my descendants. Show to me and the country where you now reside as a foreigner the same kindness I have shown to you.’ Abraham said, ‘I swear it.’” (Genesis 21.21-24)

REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD:

Abraham stood “alone.” When Abimelek came to Abraham to gain a peace between the two, there must have been a perceived threat. Abraham had never show aggression to anyone as a “first strike.” He always had tried to find a different advantage to keep the peace. He never wanted to appear to be a threat. His usual modus operandi was to make a “living” sacrifice. That sacrifice had twice now been his wife and sister, Sarah; and twice now, his own flesh and blood, Ishmael, the son born to him by Hagar and Hagar herself. Perhaps we may gain a sense that Abraham felt that such sacrifices were extensions of himself. However, in truth, Abraham felt the burden of making such compromises of others in order to preserve himself. I hardly feel that as being sacrificial. Feelings, as we all know, can be deceiving. And while Abraham was deeply troubled by those “sacrifices” others made for him, it was the true “bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh,” Ishmael that troubled him the most. Before you say that is “typical male,” it was Hagar, too, who felt the sacrifice of Ishmael, who struggled in the desert and caused her to plead to God for provision. She did so once again having experienced the “God who sees me” previously. God would do so once again. For me this speaks of the necessity of “connection” which we all must feel in order to truly have compassion and understanding with one another. Sarah did not have it with Hagar. She saw Hagar only as a convenient tool to advance her own position while declaring it was of purpose to Abraham as it related to the legacy God promised. There would be no usurping God’s plan and sovereignty. God’s will and way would be done. His compassion was extended seeing the unfortunate and unnecessary sacrifice which was expected of others. This would be true of both Abraham and Sarah. It is the foreshadowing of the coming Messiah and Christ. It would be God who would make the sacrifice that changed and realigned our understanding of “walking by faith and not by sight.”

We see it, in part, in the approach of Abimelek and Phicol to Abraham. Phicol was the general of the armies. As I said previously, it would have been unusual for these two powerful men to come alone. They may have approached Abraham as two men only but it would have been clear they were not alone. There would have been the king’s guard as well as those of Phicol somewhere in the background. While they may have been just out of sight, protocol would have spoken clearly, “We are here for them.” Yet, what of Abraham? He was there on the edge of his community of cattle, livestock, servants and family. He had shown that his men were mighty in battle when he went to rescue Lot from an angry king. They fought a long and arduous battle and won with the Lord’s help. Abraham’s “entourage” was extensive. It would have filled the horizon before Abimelek and Phicol. Yet, they did not pose the threat that Abraham did standing “by himself.” Was he by himself? Abimelek and Phicol did not think so. They had come to understand and believe that where Abraham was, His God was, too. They feared Abraham because they feared His God. To mediate peace between them was to show honor and respect. Interesting to note that we never hear of what sacrifice Abimelek had offered to Abraham. Once again, it was Abraham who would make the sacrifice. He offers cattle, livestock and seven lambs. Such a sacrifice was the testing of the oath they had sworn to be at peace with each other.

Mighty ones of God, we must keep in mind this model established before we were born. In truth, it was the model which God Himself created and was obedient to because God is true to His word and promise. God made the sacrifice on behalf of us. When we approach the throne of God it is to be with fear and understanding. The God who takes away is also the God who gives. The God who gives is also the God who takes away. There is no other. There is none other than the Sovereign Lord. God sacrificed a lamb in Eden. He extended grace to Cain with the spilling of Abel’s blood. He washed the world of the manifestation of sin in the days of Noah and protected him and his family with the Ark of God’s word. He saved Lot with the invitation of obedience before purging Sodom and Gomorrah by fire. All of these sacrifices and opportunities to experience the justice of God’s love were significant. However, their sway was always mitigated by the willingness of the people to accept them and incorporate them into their decision-making for their own future. Not until it became personal would the promised justice be fully known. We will get a foretaste of them tomorrow in “Beersheba.“

TODAYS’ PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING:

Father, in these days we are finding the need to believe even more than ever before. We all have known trouble, some in greater ways than others, but You are offering us the assurance that we will not be consumed by it forever. Regardless of the “time” we are in and the “time” we have been given, we ask for Your Holy Spirit which Jesus asked You to share with us, to lead and guide and direct us in the paths we should go. Teach us what we still need to learn. Empower us to put that learning into action. Bless our actions not as a works righteousness endeavor, but as righteous works of faith, hope and love in Jesus’ name. AMEN.