Saved by Grace - Class Notes

Genesis 20:1-7

1.) Why did God tell Abimelech that he was a dead man for taking Sarah when for all he knew she was just Abraham’s sister?

Abimelech was a pagan. He would not be convicted over moral right and wrong. God knew the language that Abimelech would understand. Physical affliction and death are powerful motivators.

Abimelech sounds innocent enough. However, we don’t know that he took Sarah without any objection from Abraham. I have to believe that Abraham raised some objection, even if just pretending to be a concerned brother, over Sarah being taken away – obviously against her will.

In any case, it appears that the threat of death was needed for Abimelech to give her back.


2.) God intervened to stop a bad situation from getting out of control. Why didn’t God just let Abraham and Sarah suffer the consequences of their sin?

God made a covenant with Abraham. If you remember, only God passed through the animal carcass to consummate the covenant. It was God’s promise and covenant to keep, regardless of Abraham’s sin.

God promised a nation through Abraham and Sarah. He was going to make sure His promise was fulfilled.

3.) Has God ever bailed you rather than let you suffer for a sinful choice?

Hopefully get the class to share. We all have mistakes we’ve made in the past that could have turned out much worse than they did. I can look back and some of the decisions and choices I’ve made and I’m just amazed. How am I here today with the wife and family I have today?

Think about how God has bailed you out. Obviously he has a purpose for us in this life. Fortunately he gives us plenty of do-overs. However, unless you have a covenant promise from God on some great blessing he has in store for you, don’t expect to get a do-over next time.

Genesis 20:8-13

4.) Why did Abimelch and his men have fear over a dream?

Dreams are one of God’s ways of reaching out to non-believers. There are many testimonies of Muslims being saved after experiencing dream with Jesus talking to them.

Other examples in the bible:
Pharaoh – Genesis 41
Nebuchadnezzar – Daniel 2 and 4

In all of these cases, these dreams were vivid enough for these men to be afraid. I’ve not had God talk to me in a dream. My guess is that it is pretty clear that you’re not having a normal dream.

5.) What was Abraham’s sin?

Abraham tries to excuse himself by explaining it as a little white lie. She was his half-sister. He just left out the part about her being his wife.

Are little white lie’s like this a sin? Should you never tell one and just live a policy of brutal honesty, regardless of the consequences?

Besides the sin of the lie there was the sin at the root of the lie. Despite everything God had promised Abraham and in spite of his personal relationship with God, Abraham lost faith, if only for a moment. He let fear convince him that if he did not lie, he would die. His fear led him to not trust that God could or would protect him.

6.) What were the consequences of his sin?

Abimelech almost lost his life.
Abimelech had some type of illness and his wife and female servants were made barren.
Abraham’s credibility was damaged, at least for the time being.

7.) What are some consequences in our lives when we sin that are similar?

Sin usually hurts others. God’s commandment right after loving Him is to love our neighbors. All of sins occur when we violate these commandments and whenever we fail to love our neighbor we hurt our neighbor.

When we sin, particularly against others, we lose our credibility as witnesses to that person.

8.) How is it that Abraham lost his faith and sinned? Why do believers sin?

Abraham was justified by faith (Genesis 15:6) but that did not change his old nature. We all face this battle every day (1 John 1:8).

9.) Are we destined to sin over and over even when we don’t want to because of our old nature?

We do have victory over sin because Christ died for us (Romans 6). However, we must live by the Spirit within us (Galatians 5:16) if we are to realize that victory. Often we choose the flesh over the Spirit.

So while we fail, we must look forward with the expectation to win each battle, not lose.

Genesis 20:14-18

10.) Why do you suppose Abimelech did more than just return Sarah and ask Abraham to pray for him? He gave him sheep, oxen, servants, silver and freedom to live anywhere in the land he chose.

Abimelech was afraid. He literally had the fear of God in him. That must have been one powerful dream.

If only we could be as obedient and live our lives as if God had commanded us in a dream.

Why don’t we live with the fear of God in our lives?