Abraham's Profit: Genesis 20:14-18

God’s plan of redemption is all about bestowing righteousness where it is not deserved.  He makes all things new.  He redeems our actions when we try to join Him in His work and muck things up.  He is a God of redemption and restoration.

Abimelech comes to Abraham with gifts in an official ceremony returning Sarah.  This might seem odd.  Shouldn’t it be Abraham who gave gifts to Abimelech since it was Abraham’s lie that put everyone in a precarious position?  Abimelech’s gift feels backwards.

God called Abraham a prophet.  We also find out God had cursed Abimelech’s house and caused the women to no longer be able to conceive and give birth.  This gives Abimelech’s actions much more context.  Abimelech had been told by God that Abraham was a prophet and Abraham’s prayer could heal the curse over his house.  The gifts are Abimelech’s payment for Abraham’s prayer.  What we see happening here is nothing more than bartering.  Abimelech gives Abraham a portion of his herds and a portion of his servants; Abraham gives Abimelech the prayer of a righteous man.

It is important to see Abraham’s prayer as the prayer of a righteous person.  We could focus on his sinfulness.  We could see Abraham as the person who lied because his fear got the better of him.  Those statements are true, but they do not change the fact that in God’s eyes Abraham is a righteous person.  Abraham’s sinfulness in the moment cannot alter the righteousness God has bestowed upon him.  Abraham prays and Abimelech’s house is healed because in spite of his sinfulness, God has made Abraham righteous.

There should be an aspect of this that feels off.  Abraham sinned.  He lied.  Yet in the end, he is called a prophet and profits from the experience!  Abraham’s wealth and standing increase because of God’s righteousness, not some enduring quality Abraham has within.

While Abraham’s profit may cause an initial internal struggle, it points us to a fundamental truth about God.  It is always about God’s righteousness.  I am not saved because I deserve it.  I am saved because God is righteous.  I am saved because God covered my sinfulness and declared me righteous.

It is a truth that is expertly timed in the story.  The time has come for Sarah to conceive and give birth to Abraham’s child.  Abraham’s offspring will produce God’s redeemer.  At the same time, Abraham sins and almost compromises God’s plan.  The only way forward is through God’s redemptive work.  The only way this situation resolves is because God bestows righteousness where it is undeserved.  God’s plan of redemption is all about bestowing righteousness where it is not deserved.