Genesis 20 is scandalous! I’m telling you, this is juicy stuff. First we have to understand that Abraham is no small character among the people of his day. People know him. He’s a very wealthy man (Genesis 13:2). He has dealings with kings and pharaoh (12:16; 14:17-18). His possessions are great (13:6). He has numerous servants and herdsmen: more than 300 men work for him (14:14)! And those 300 men presumably have wives and children of their own. Suffice to say, Abraham’s name carries quite a bit of recognition in the region.
In Genesis 17, we read that Abraham circumcises “all the men of his house, those born in the house and those bought with money from a foreigner” (17:27). From this we see that Abraham is also well known for his covenant relationship with God. Everyone in his household is aware of it. They are part of it. They know of God’s promise to make Abraham a great nation. And God has made it very clear that He will do so through Sarah, Abraham’s wife.
In Genesis 17, we read that Abraham circumcises “all the men of his house, those born in the house and those bought with money from a foreigner” (17:27). From this we see that Abraham is also well known for his covenant relationship with God. Everyone in his household is aware of it. They are part of it. They know of God’s promise to make Abraham a great nation. And God has made it very clear that He will do so through Sarah, Abraham’s wife.
Now check it out: after acquiring all this celebrity, Abraham releases his wife Sarah to King Abimelech! In Genesis 20:2 we learn that Sarah stays in Abimelech’s house for (at least) one night. We turn the page to Genesis 21 and, well, guess who’s pregnant?!
Sarah!
Said at a whisper: Is Sarah pregnant with Abimelech’s baby?
You and I know better––of course she’s not. The Torah is clear: Abimelech does not touch Sarah (see 20:4, 20:6). Upon returning her to Abraham, Abimelech gives Abraham a thousand pieces of silver as a sign of her innocence in the eyes of all who are with them. He tells her, “...before everyone you are vindicated” (20:16).
But then she’s pregnant. And you know how it is. During those long days out in the field, the shepherds get to talking. The wives of the shepherds get to talking. “Did you hear Sarah’s pregnant?” “Oh? Didn’t she spend the night at Abimelech’s house somewhat recently?” “Well Abimelech said he didn’t do anything with her.” “Oh yeah, right...”
I’d sooner believe the Torah than a tabloid. There’s a verse in Genesis 25 that I love because it relates to this so-called “scandal.” Verse 19 starts this way: “These are the generations of Isaac: Abraham fathered Isaac, and Isaac was . . .”
Actually, that’s not how it starts. But I bet you didn’t notice anything missing. I removed a portion that God included on purpose. I like to think He included it to quell the rumors that arise from Genesis 20. Here’s how it actually starts: “These are the generations of Isaac, Abraham’s son: Abraham fathered Isaac, and Isaac was . . .”
Actually, that’s not how it starts. But I bet you didn’t notice anything missing. I removed a portion that God included on purpose. I like to think He included it to quell the rumors that arise from Genesis 20. Here’s how it actually starts: “These are the generations of Isaac, Abraham’s son: Abraham fathered Isaac, and Isaac was . . .”
I have italicized the redundancy. It would have been enough to say “Abraham fathered Isaac” and leave out the whole “Isaac, Abraham’s son” identifier. As an editor, I would certainly strike such a redundancy from the final text. But then again, I see the point of it. It is as if to stress the fact that Isaac is, indeed, the son of Abraham. God is responding to the scandal of Genesis 20 and leaving nothing to question. Isaac is, without a doubt, Abraham’s son. Despite what you may have heard in the fields, the son is Abraham’s!
Can you think of anyone else in the Bible whose birth occurred under “scandalous” circumstances?
