Why Doesn't God Stop Us From Doing Wrong?

 

Genesis 20 – Why Doesn’t God Stop Us From Doing Wrong?

 

Here we are again learning that Abraham is once again having Sarah claim to be his sister.  He really did not lie because Sarah was his half-sister born of another mother.  It says here that when they did this the first time, they agreed to do it everywhere they went.  So why did they do it again when clearly it did not work when they were kicked out of the land the first time? Both times it could have been worse if Sarah had slept with the King. But God intervened and did not allow that to happen. How many times have we done something wrong and wondered why God did not stop us?  After all, He stopped Abimelech from sleeping with Sarah.  God may not stop us directly but when He does, we clearly know it was Him.  When He does not, He gives us subtle signs to show us we need to stop ourselves, turn back and do right.  When we do not, things turn our badly.  In this instance God sent illness upon Abimelech and his household.  So why did God strike Abimelech and his household when clearly they had not done any wrong?

 I think the answer to this question was because Abimelech and his household were righteous people and by causing sickness, God prevented Abimelech from sleeping with Sarah and he turned to God to inquire why this happened.  Abimelech was open to God’s reasoning and understood clearly when God explained it to him.  Abimelech forgave Abraham this trespass and gave Sarah back to him along with men and maid servants.  He gave them land and 1000 pieces of silver to be protected from any others who could be deceived.  Sarah was reproved and Abraham prayed that God bless Abimelech by opening all their wombs to bear children because God had closed their wombs because of Sarah. Abraham’s faith, as evidenced here, was weak and inadequate, inexcusable doubt and fear, having for a while taken possession of him. Abraham, like all men, required deliverance and forgiveness for his sins.

This clearly proves the statement “If God put you to it, He will certainly take you through it.”

 

 

J. Vernon McGee commentary, James Coffman Commentary, NKJ version.

 

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