Only before concluding the agreement there was a matter of a more personal character that required settlement. Thus Abimelek narrowly averted sinning against the Lord which, the Lord informed him, would have cost him his life. Because of the cops statement that I wont ask you again! this situation is destined to go sideways. In Chapter s 20, 21 we have the question of the heir and of the path the three main sources, J. E, P are present. Hes lying! As a planter of tamarisks, the patriarch has been styled the father of civilization; it is more important to remark that he never neglected to worship God himself and publish his salvation to others. Observing what he had done, and not knowing the design of it: what mean these seven ewe lambs which thou hast set by themselves ? The mistaken charge. The LXX. that it could not be explained on merely natural grounds. So he changed his plans and flew home to L.A. Two days later, he heard on the news that a flight from Chicago to Los Angeles had crashed, killing everyone on board. The things of this world made a channel of higher blessings. captain of his host spake unto Abraham, saying, God [is] with thee in But other than that, Abrahams life was fairly routine. Plus, if you add the three times shava is used and the three times sheva is used with the use of Beersheba that makes a total of seven times the words are used. Good men should not only rectify the wrongs they do to one another, but adopt all wise precautions against their repetition. Commentary: Patriarchs and Prophets (or Beginning of the End), chapter 13. It is a beautiful illustration of how God faithfully provides everything we need for life and godliness so that we can fulfill His purpose. "The great well has an internal diameter at the mouth of twelve feet six inches, or a circumference of nearly forty feet. Phichol.] Sarah, at the unlikely age of 90 years, gives birth to Isaac, God is I like that, "as He had said, and as He had spoken." "The Lord visited Sarah as he had said." The Lord keeps His word. Theyre people who live rather ordinary lives, except for one significant fact--their lives count for eternity because they are used by God to help fulfill His purpose. Sarah, at the unlikely age of 90 years, gives birth to Isaac, God also took care of Hagar and Ishmael, remembering His promise to greatly multiply their descendants (see Birth of Isaac ). Abraham's acquiescence in the king's proposal was no doubt dictated by a peaceable disposition, a sense of equity, a spirit of contentment, and an unwavering confidence in God. It is not necessary to conclude from verse 1 and 2 that Sarah only became pregnant after the episode that is told in the previous chapter. I read about a successful man who was on a business trip. This is also remarkable in light of Abrahams past dealings with Abimelech. Arab Ishmael is the father of all our outcasts. Here we have accomplished promise the blessed Good men should do all they can to make others so. )was probably the Tamarix Africanae (Gesenius, Furst, Delitzsch, Rosenmller, Kalisch), which, besides being common in Egypt and Petraea, is mid to have been found growing near the ancient Beershebain Beersheba, and called there (not beneath the tree or in the grove, but in the place) on the name of the Lord,Jehovah (vide Genesis 12:8; Genesis 13:4)the everlasting Godliterally, the God of eternity (LXX; Vulgate, Onkelos); not in contrast to heathen deities, who are born and die (Clericus), but "as the everlasting Vindicator of the faith of treaties, and as the infallible Source of the believer's rest and peace" (Murphy). And it came to pass at that time, that Abimelech and Phichol the chief captain of his host spake unto Abraham, saying, God. Philistines generally (Genesis 2 ISHMAEL AND ISAAC 7. ISAAC IS BORN vs.22-34 The treaty between Abraham and Abimelech. 139:16)! Abimelech, that is _Father-King,_ was The LXX. As a prince, Abimelech was afraid of Abraham's growing power; as a good man, he insures the safety of himself and his dominions not by resorting to war, but by forming an amicable treaty with his neighbornor with my son, nor with my son's son: (LXX. Abraham was the friend of God. 15 Hagar in distresse. The palpable injury. Verse Genesis 21:22. 4. And he said, For these seven ewe lambs shalt thou take of my hand, that they may be a witness unto me,that this peculiar kind of oath never occurs again in Old Testament history is no proof of the mythical character of the narrative (Bohlen); on the contrary, "that the custom existed in primitive Hebrew times is shown by the word , which had early passed into the language, and which would be inexplicable without the existence of such a custom" (Havernick)that I have digged this well. But it is significant that Gods blessing on Abraham is evident even to this pagan king, Abimelech, who tells Abraham, God is with you in all that you do (21:22). V2 So Sarah became *pregnant. 4. Now therefore swear to me here by God that you will not de Genesis 21 Will God forgive me for losing hope and the will to live? I. 8. Love Like Jesusbegins with the story of how after a life of regular church attendance and Bible study, Bennett was challenged by a pastor to study Jesus. 21:25-26 Interrupting the covenant-making ceremony, Abraham airs a grievance that he has with Abimelech related to Abimelechs servants taking possession of a well that Abraham previously dug. 22 And it came to pass at that time, that Abimelech and Phicol the CHAPTER 21 He did what he Probably an official title. Perhaps Abimelech had heard of how God had given Abraham and Sarah a son in their old age. Ishmael made fun of the covenant family, as Sarah had feared. CHARACTERS: Sarah, Abraham, Isaac, Hagar, Ishmael, Abimelech. The Lords whole thing boils down to that. law of Hebrew narrative, probably not Now the LORD visited Sarah as he had said (Genesis 21:1), But the problem is, most of us dont live in the realm of the spectacular. 1. When we lived in California and would take our young children to the beach, there wasnt a second while they were playing in the waves that they were not under our watchful gaze. The Atlantic, June 2009. . Maybe youre sinking into sudden depression, because youre thinking, Im not perfect! Stay tuned: (2) For the world to see God in our lives we dont have to be perfect. And Abraham replies, These seven lambs are a witness that I dug the well that your servants seized. Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. But thats not fair! You might be saying. As Abraham is the father of all the faithful, so the Because there they aware both of them. Here is old Abraham just planting a tree and living by his well. 1 Kings 15:19; Isaiah 30:6; Isaiah 39:1). As the psalmist proclaims, Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope for His loving kindness, to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine (Ps. What a privilege to be used by the Eternal God as we live our ordinary lives on this earth! Ishmael's marriage, but most probably to the former. He sent the plagues on Egypt and parted the Red Sea. It is as much the duty of him who has a grievance to reveal it, as it is the duty of him who has caused the grievance to remove it. Note the significance of the word oath (Hb. "the well of the oath," (LXX; Gesenius, Furst, Rosenmller), or the well of the seven (Keil), rather than the seven wells (Lange); discovered by Robinson in Bir-es-seba, in the Wady-es-seba, twelve miles to the south of Hebron, with two deep wells of excellent water. But Abraham still struggled with this fear long after he had been living in the land. In Genesis 21:22-34, we see Abraham in a scene from his ordinary life. He checked his boots, they were shiny. Do others see the hand of God on your life? A son was ABIMELECHS COVENANT WITH ABRAHAM. Q. CHAPTER 21 ISAAC AND ISHMAEL AND THE COVENANT WITH ABIMELECH Abraham at Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. Ishmaels expulsion. We have here an account of the treaty between Abimelech and Abraham, in which appears the accomplishment of that promise (Gen. 12:2) that God would make his name great. Wherefore he called that place Beersheba. His friendship is valued, is courted, though a stranger, though a tenant at will to the Canaanites and Perizzites. So they conclude that Christians are hypocrites, and they fail to see God in our lives. Gunkel has given strong That leads me to ask, Does the world see God in your everyday life?. The inducement to it was God's favour to Abraham (Gen. 21:22): ?God is with thee in all that thou doest, read more, Observe, 1. DISMISSAL OF HAGAR AND ISHMAEL. It is wise to connect ourselves with those who are blessed of God; and we ought to requite kindness to those who have been kind to us. Abimelech has reason to be suspicious of Abraham, but recognizes Gods blessing on his life, so he wisely seeks a covenant of truth and peace between them. could sing with Mary, My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spi God is with thee in all that thou doest Isaac is weaned. Peace enjoyed. Another step in Abrahams walk with God is seen in verse 33, where he plants a tree and calls on the name of the Lord, the Everlasting God. Planting the tree was an act to remind Abraham of Gods faithfulness, especially in the everyday matter of providing the well which supplied the water for this tree to grow. He lived in the desert and became an archer. when Abimelech, struck with God's providential regard to him, wa 5. Abimelek avoids contention within his ranks. This Bible study on Genesis 21 shows God's promise to Sarah and Abraham fulfilled in the birth of their son Isaac, the son of promise. 22 Abimelechs couenant with Abraham at Beer-sheba. Abraham, thinking the herdsmen had acted on their master's orders, reproved Abimelech. None ever waited in vain. 3. Yet in spite of Abrahams sins and insensitivity, Abimelech here seeks him out because he recognized God in Abrahams life! Isaac is born, and circumcised. The significance of this passage is Abraham finding a place in the land promised to him in safety. The outcast. God burned the words into his heart and gave him the faith to believe. (3) that in making charges or preferring complaints it is well to avoid both heat of temper and severity of language. Because Abimelech wanted this covenant to apply, not only to himself, but to his posterity (21:23), it secured this source of water not only for Abraham, but for his descendants. Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible - The Birth of Isaac 7. Abimelech. Gen. 21:22-34 Locate the passage This passage chronicles a covenant between Abraham and Abimelech. That led to an obsessive seven year deep dive. If you know the Savior, as you walk with Him and enjoy His faithful provision, God wants to use the ordinary events in your life to fulfill His purpose of blessing all the nations through the Seed of Abraham, the Lord Jesus Christ. captain of his host spake unto Abraham, saying, God [is] with thee in The Atlantic, June 2009), Jesus told us that all the law and all the prophets are summed up in these two statements:Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. AndLove your neighbor as yourself.. And they didnt have backhoes or drilling rigs in those days. Two powerful princes, in their conduct exemplifying the spirit of unity and peace which should bind together private persons in their daily intercourse, as well as kings and nations in their political alliance. Just because youve blown it with someone in the past doesnt mean that you cant be used later to influence that person toward God. Abraham didnt fight with Abimeleks servants. Wells of water are scarce and valuable in eastern countries. Wheres the justice? You might be thinking. Most days, he got up, made sure his animals were being cared for, dealt with problems like sick or straying animals, servants who had squabbles, and finding enough water and food for his flocks and family. List one sac- The files holding the data are as thick as unabridged dictionaries. All rights reserved. Some try to convey that they are perfect. CHRISTI GENESISNOTE ON GENESIS 21:22 GOD IS WITH YOU IN ALL THAT YOU DO. *** Abimelech reenters the picture with his enforcer, Phicol. But in his case, it was his final home, in heaven. Which things are an. AND IT CAME TO PASS AT THAT TIME,possibly in immediate sequence to and poetical word. The honest and fearless revelations of Bennetts own moral failures affirm he wrote this book for himself as much as for others. Abraham instituted two memorials of the important transactions, naming the well Beersheba, and planting a tamarisk beside his tent. His circumcision (Genesis 22:4)_ In like manner Phichol, mouth of all, seems to have been the official designation of the prime minister, and commander-in-chief. All these things are true and wonderful. CHAPTER 21 Hes letting Abimeleks servants off the hook! You might be protesting. Genesis 31 Genesis 32 Genesis 33 Genesis 34 Genesis 35 Genesis 36 Genesis 37 Genesis 38 Genesis 39 Genesis 40 Genesis 41 In this narrative, Abraham appears as a chieftain powerful enough for a king to wish to make an alliance with him; and thus his abandonment of Sarah, and his receiving of presents in compensation for the wrong done her, seems the more unworthy of him. Genesis 21:22-34 . "Abraham stretched forth his hand, ABRAHAM AND ABIMELECH COVENANT fear II. In this section He is not far from every one of us. CONCLUSION: Behind every promise of God is the purpose a Genesis 21:3. I. There he made, not only a constant practice, but an open profession of his religion. Although some of Abrahams resources came directly from Abimelech (20:16), the king sees the blessing of the Lord on all that you do.. Newly released book by Kurt Bennett, now available onAmazon! The story of how Billy Graham extended Christs extraordinary love and grace toward a man who misrepresented Jesus to millions. Show to me and my country the same kindness Ive shown you. Abraham denies his relationship (22) ABIMELECH AND PHICHOL. shava) in this pericope (23, 24, 31, 31). Abimeleks servants seized the well so Abraham mustered his servants and seized it right back, correct? _GOD IS WITH - The Birth of Isaac He gives Abimelek seven lambs so Abimelek can tell his servants that the well has been purchased. Its our job to love God and to love people. The neighborhood of Beersheba, the revelation of Jehovah, the little company of believers. We wont know Gods purpose until were in heaven. Now therefore swear unto me here by Godthe verb to swear is derived from the Hebrew numeral seven, inasmuch as the septennary number was sacred, and oaths were confirmed either by seven sacrifices (Genesis 21:28) or by seven witnesses and pledgesthat thou wilt not deal falsely with me,literally, if thou shalt lie unto me; a common form of oath in Hebrew, in which the other member of the sentence is for emphasis left unexpressed (cf. His plane from Pennsylvania had been late, and a friend who had accompanied him to the Chicago airport said that he last saw him dashing through the terminal to make his flight home. The new cop and the driver of the car are both backed into a corner. Beersheba. In the Grant Study, 268 Harvard graduates (including John F. Kennedy by the way. CRITICAL NOTES. that it could not be explained on merely natural grounds. Arab Ishmael is the father of all our outcasts. (1) that a person cannot always be held responsible for what his servants do, (2) that it is wrong to judge on insufficient evidence with reference to the characters and conduct of others, and. surround, enclose, and _chum_ black. Spiritual markers remind us of the goodness of the Lord in our lives. The next thing that happened was that the new cop pulled him through the window, arrested him, and took him down town to HQ. Abimelek the king of Gerar and his top general Phicol approach Abraham and say to him, We recognize that God is with you in everything you do. I already did that during the night while I was watching over my sick child, she replied. He wasnt perfect, but he had reality with God and Gods gracious hand was on him. In seeking to bring about both of these promises, Abraham resorted to human schemes to help God out: with the son, he went in to Hagar and produced Ishmael; with regard to the land, his fears of being wiped out by the inhabitants of the land prompted him to lie about Sarah being his sister, not his wife. captain of his host spake unto Abraham, saying, God is with thee in It shows how God faithfully provided all that Abraham needed apart from Abrahams schemes. His calendar wasnt full of speaking engagements. Are we honest, even in small matters? 21:23 Abimelech proposes a treaty not to deal falsely. A Treaty with Abimelech. THE STORY OF ABRAHAM. Isaac's birth (Genesis 22:1) 2. We have had in fine the judgment of 22._And it came to pass at that time_. the three main sources, J. E, P are present. (1) that as the land of the Philistines had no fixed boundary toward the desert, Beersheba may at this time have been claimed for the kingdom of Gerar (Keil); or. Youre not backing us up! Abraham at Abraham denies his relationship In Genesis 21:22-34, we see Abraham in a scene from his ordinary life. The new name of God bore witness to Gods unchanging faithfulness and to the fact that Abrahams faith was not in Abimelech nor in the treaty between them, but in the eternal God who was his dwelling place. 23 Now swear to me here before God that you will not deal falsely with me or my children or my descendants. The music and the sermon were okay, but didnt really help. and poetical word. In spite of Abrahams past deception, Abimelech recognized God in his life. Vs.8-21 The expulsion of Ishmael and Hagar. GENESIS 21:23. Hence "the ownership of wells m Palestine was as jealously guarded as the possession of a mine in our own" (Inglis). 3. The public ceremonial. I Wish Someone Had Told Me This When I Was Young, Genesis 21:1-21 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit (John 3:6 KJV), You are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it: 1 Corinthians 12:27, Joseph's 5 Steps to Avoid Temptation: Genesis 39:6-23, 10 Attributes Of Jesus' Relationship With His Father (And what we can learn from them), Jesus And The 5 Love Languages: Chapter 17 from the newly released book Love Like Jesus, Joseph's 4 Steps to Success: Genesis 39:1-6, The Consequences Of Ignoring God: God's Way, Your Way, And Your Crushed Spirit, The Surprising Power of Habits: Important Conversation with My Younger Self, #5, Drunk and Naked--Love Covers a Multitude: Genesis 9:18-29, Things You Should Know About The Author Of This Blog. And Abraham stayed in the land of the Philistines for a long time. Abraham. And as a result things turned ugly. He had to provide protection and give him the land, which He begins to do in a rather ordinary way through this peace agreement. Genesis 21 Commentary Birth of Isaac (21:1-21) When Isaac was born, Abraham circumcised him as commanded. Show us kindness like we have been kind to you. And the LORD visited Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah as He had spoken. 2. with his wi AND IT CAME TO PASS AT THAT TIME,. Not when Ishmael was grown up He walked in daily communion with God. IN ALL THAT THOU DOEST:_ Abimelech and PhicholHere a proof of the promise (Ge 12:2) being fulfilled, in a native prince wishing to form a solemn league with Abraham. Verses 1-34. Gunkel has given strong Genesis 21 This chapter deals with three different topics. Which things are an allegory.- Galatians 4:22. In this section And Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves (designing by another covenant to secure himself against future invasion of Isis rights). favourite of God, chap. And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What mean these seven ewe lambs which thou hast set by themselves? 17 The Angel comforteth her. Im not suggesting that you go on sinning and tell everyone that youre a Christian. Arise We have had hitherto God's account of that which He had made; then the Abraham set apart seven ewe lambs from the flock,and Abimelek asked Abraham, What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs you have set apart by themselves?, He replied, Accept these seven lambs from my hand as a witness that I dug this well.. Sometimes we think that weve got to be perfect before God can use us as a witness. _GOD IS WITH - The Birth of Isaac The grocer later discovered that the scale was out of order. See also Genesis 21:22-34 in other biblical comments: Adam Clarke Bible Commentary. I.e. _ 1. Wells of water are scarce and valuable in eastern countries. This passage chronicles a covenant between Abraham and Abimelech. Specific examples of how Jesus communicated Gods love to others. "Blessed are the peace-makers," and "beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that publisheth peace.". _The Covenant with Abimelech_ (Genesis 21:22-34) you do. They watch our attitudes, our words, and our actions. V1 The *Lord had promised that he would visit Sarah. 2. Abraham kept up public worship, in which his neighbours might join. Now the LORD visited Sarah as he had said ( Genesis 21:1 ), I like this. 3 Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore him, Isaac. ALL CHRISTIAN PROSPERITY IS CONSCIOUSLY IDENTIFIED WITH GOD. Its about your relationship with the person of God and your relationships with other people. 7. Abimelech attributes Abrahams success to God. Another highlight of this passage is the explanation for the origin of the name Beersheba. Probably from JE. I dont have to give you my license and registration., Listen you ! reasons for holding that J is here made up of two main sources ABRAHAM AND ABIMELECH MAKE A COVENANT AT BEERSHEBA. read more, John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary. Cyril Barber on Morris' The Genesis Record : a Scientific and Devotional Commentary (It can be borrowed) - Valuable as corollary reading. Abimelech was impressed with Abraham's growing prosperity. The herdsmen of the king had appropriated Abraham's well. 17 The Angel comforteth her. The trouble with this approach, of course, is that we never get to that place. Genesis 20:2 Genesis 26:26 God. This is one of the attributes of God to His people. The passage is narrative. THE FOLLOWING COMMENTARY COVERS CHAPTER S 20 AND 21. Abraham, being now in a good neighbourhood, stayed a great while there. 6 Sarahs ioy. 7. You, our leader and master, have pulled the rug out from under us! So what does Abraham do? all-commanding. THE PROMISE FULFILLED IN ISAAC He sets apart seven lambs from the flock and gives them to Abimelek. One way Abimelech knew that Abraham walked with God is that Abraham had prayed that God would heal Abimelech and his family, and God answered that prayer (20:17-18). How to survive a life of loving like Jesus (or how not to become a Christian doormat). Checking his ticket which he hadnt used, he realized that if his earlier flight to Chicago had not been cancelled, he would have been on that flight. What makes us happy? Wheres the balance between taking measures for our own safety versus trusting God to protect us? Abraham a sojourner in that land, afterwards the troubler of Israel; for his sake as discipline, for their sakes as opportunity. *** Abimelech reenters the picture with his enforcer, Phicol. 14. . So why, after he already gave Abimelek flocks of sheep and cattle, did Abraham give him seven lambs as a witness that Abraham dug the well? The blessing made manifest. chesed) to Abraham. 22. 3. I like that, "as He had said, and as He had spoken." Happy they who can do both in peace! laughed with the laughter of incredulity, now laughed with the _Abimelech, king of Gerara, who knew that Abraham was a prophet, and a A godly man is entitled to be careful of his property, to preserve it from damage, protect it from theft, and recover it when stolen or lost. Truthfully, I have nothing to offer but a little prayer.. Genesis 21:1; Genesis 22:1 NOR WITH MY SON, NOR WITH MY SONS SON.] Its about relationships with people. B.C. 2. Because of that fear, before they left Haran, he and Sarah had worked out a deceptive scheme to pawn her off as his sister (20:13). of his host, spoke to Abraham saying, God is with you in all that He put a loaf of bread on the other side of the scale, and to his surprise, nothing happened. There is no reason to question the sincerity of the Philistine monarch in disclaiming all knowledge of the act of robbery committed by his servants. 1. Do we badmouth the boss or other workers behind their backs? had promised to her. B.C. He was just living the ordinary, hum-drum, day-to-day existence of a nomad with his flocks and herds. The contemplated object. In gratitude for former favours he had received from him, in token of the friendship that subsisted between them, and for the confirmation of it; and to show that he was fully satisfied with Abimelech's answer to his complaint, as well as willing to enter into covenant by sacrifice, when such creatures were divided, and the covenanters passed between the pieces, for so it follows: and both of them made a covenant ; or, read more, And Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves. Sarah as he had spoken." Weaned] in his second or third year, as is usual among Orientals. GODS ANCIENT PEOPLE He rained down fire and brimstone to destroy wicked Sodom. @#$ %^&*^$!, Im not doin it! Youll have to put these things in yourself. With a tearful thank you, the woman took her groceries and left. (1) The world is watching the lives of believers. Related Commentaries of Genesis 21:22. I like this. GENESIS 21:22 23 Now therefore, swear[ a] to me by God that you will not deal falsely with me, with my offspring, or with my posterity; but that according to the kindness that I have done to you, you will do BIRTH OF ISAAC. 9 Hagar & Ishmael are cast forth. Genesis 21:1; Genesis 22:1 It is good to remember God's mercies, of which national and civil quietude is one of the greatest, and it is becoming to erect memorials of both privileges and obligations. Give people youre in disagreement with a graceful way out. Finally he blurted out, Well, thats all it will hold anyway. Sarah who at an earlier point had It seems to me that the answer is, It shows the faithfulness of God in the ordinary. at the time God Himself had We plainly see that God blesseth and prospereth thee in all thy 14. The days spent in Philistia left behind them some enlightenment. He normally didnt attend church, but he was troubled about some matters and went to church, hoping to find some relief. Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 21:22-32 We have here an account of the treaty between Abimelech and Abraham, in which appears the accomplishment of that promise (Gen. 12:2) that God would make his name great. Heres a bag. (22) ABIMELECH AND PHICHOL. all-commanding. 'Do not do anything to him. 21:32-34 A place to call on the name of the Lord. Yesterday (at the time of this writing) I participated in a class that teaches you how to communicate with people on the street in a way that encourages cooperation and avoids the need for physical force. So its a huge deal for someone to take over a well as Abimeleks servants did. CHRISTI GENESISNOTE ON GENESIS 21:22 GOD IS WITH YOU IN ALL THAT YOU DO. It is wise to connect ourselves with those who are blessed of God; and we ought to requite kindness to those who have been kind to us. That word sounds very much like the Hebrew word for seven (sheva) used in 21:28, 29, and 30. And it came to pass at that time, that Abimelech and Phichol the chief captain of his host spake unto Abraham, saying, God is with thee in all that thou doest: , saying, God is with thee in all that thou doest, Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament. ISHMAEL AND ISAAC Genesis 21:1-34 ; Genesis 22:1-24 Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. of God; and we ought to requite kindness to those who have We plainly see that God blesseth and prospereth thee in all thy The name of the Lord itself an invitation to believe and live. Abimelech could sense that in spite of Abrahams previous failure in the incident with Sarah, he was a man who walked with God.