20th.: Abraham’s Prayer for Abimelech
Two more points need to be made regarding Abimelech's innocently toward Abraham’s wife, Sarah (Gen. 20:3).
God spoke severely with Abimelech, even though Abimelech had been innocent.
First, Abimelech had not asked the Lord, before he commanded Sarah to come to the palace.
It is good to take our desires and plans to the Lord.
Second, in addition to being severe with Abimelech,
God kept the women of Abimelech’s family from having any babies (Gen. 20:7, 18).
This must have taken several months to notice, as it would take that many months to notice that no more babies were being made.
Was God justified to close the wombs? The principle stated in Rom. 9:19-21 tells us that God was justified.
Nevertheless, God showed goodness to Abimelech by letting him know that God had given Abraham a special
place in the world (i.e. prophet, Gen. 20:7b), and that Abraham had to pray for Abimelech.
It took Abraham’s prayer (Gen. 20:17) to move God to heal the women, where they could have babies again.
Sometimes, we just need to have others pray for us.
On the other hand, sometimes we need to pray for others, so that God will show goodness to them.
“Behold, therefore, the goodness and severity of God. On them which fell, severity, but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness.” (Rom. 11:22a)