God’s sustaining faithfulness (Gen 21:22-34)

A number of Christians I know have given up well-paid jobs, sometimes at prestigious companies, to do Christian ministry of some sort. As a result, they often lost status within the secular world, as well as financial security. I believe that, as Christians, God also puts us at times into vulnerable positions, places of weakness whether through physical illness, uncertainty in direction of life, or loss of friends or loved ones because of death or because of relocation somewhere else. Feeling weak and dependent, of course, do not sit well with us, especially in a Western context where being independent and self-sufficient are seen as great assets. Yet God works in our lives so that some of the securities we like to rely on are at times taken away and we need to learn to trust the Lord. Following God often lands us in situations of vulnerability.

‘God is with you’

Abraham knew all about that in his journey with the Lord. He left family and security behind, as well as the status that would have been his in the land where his kin was established and recognised. Instead, he was a stranger in a foreign land, a resident alien tolerated but in a precarious position, easily taken advantage of. It is thus a phenomenal sign of God’s amazing provision that the local king in the area, Abimelech, and his military chief seek out Abraham to make a covenant with him (Gen 21:22-23). The king clearly feels that the patriarch is someone to be reckoned with, but his reasoning has less to do with Abraham’s wealth or position. Instead, it is an acknowledgement of God’s presence with him (v.22). Possibly this insight comes from Abimelech’s earlier experience when God protected Sarah and, at Abraham’s prayer, He opened the women’s wombs in the king’s household (Gen 20:6, 17). Not only is the king thinking of his own lifetime but he also envisages Abraham’s descendants to have a substantial influence so that it pays to be on his good side. What a testimony from a pagan king to God’s power and what recognition of the Lord’s long-term investment in the family of Abraham!

Abraham’s vulnerability

At the same time, it is fascinating to observe Abraham’s situation and reaction. Abimelech sees him as a power to be reckoned with even beyond his own lifetime, yet the patriarch recognises his own vulnerability and complains to the king about his servants who seized the well Abraham dug (Gen 21:25). Perhaps he did not feel he could stand up for himself and argue his rights as only a resident in the land. It is also noteworthy that Abraham gifts sheep and oxen to the king before they seal their agreement (Gen 21:27) and generally, it is the one of lower status who gives presents to secure the stronger party’s help in covenant (cf. 1 Kings 15:18-19). Thus, it seems that the patriarch knows himself as the weaker party who needs the goodwill of his neighbours. Abraham also offers seven ewe lambs to Abimelech to establish his rights over the well he dug (Gen 21:28-29) and by accepting the gift, the king acknowledges Abraham’s water rights.

Power through weakness

This little episode demonstrates an important principle in the life of God’s people. When God shows His power and faithfulness, it does not mean that He takes away our vulnerabilities and weakness at the same time. Rather, it is through our weakness that He works out His will. Paul recognised this in his own experience when he was given ‘a thorn in the flesh’ (2 Cor 12:7-10). Whatever this was in the apostle’s life, it constantly reminded him that the Lord achieved His purposes through weakness. It is, of course, not an easy lesson to learn. We would dearly love to have our vulnerabilities removed, but it is our sinful human nature that when things go well, we are tempted to think that we have achieved them on our own steam and we stop trusting the Lord. Much as we may dislike our weakness, it may be God’s gift so that we do not exalt ourselves. Can we trust the Lord that just as He was faithful to Abraham, He will be faithful to sustain us?

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