Gen 20:1 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Gen 20:1-18: 20:1-18 This second “sister story” in Genesis (cp. 12:10-20 ) occurred shortly before Sarah became pregnant with Isaac (ch 21 ). On both occasions, God protected Abraham and Sarah’s marriage in purity for the sake of the covenant promises. Participation in God’s plan requires separation from worldly corruption. • This story took place in the Promised Land; it showed Israel how God intervened in people’s lives to fulfill his plan, how God continued to protect them against threats from other tribes, and how God used his chosen people to mediate his relationship with the nations. • God’s preventing the destruction of Abraham’s marriage by adultery reminded the Israelites to keep their marriages morally and racially pure (Ezra 9:1-4 ; Neh 13:23-27 ; Mal 2:10-17 ); they should not allow any opportunity for temptation (Exod 20:14 , 17 ; Lev 20:10 ; 21:13-15 ). Adultery would eventually destroy the covenant and the covenant people. 20:1 Gerar was near the coast in Philistine land, about twelve miles south of Gaza and fifty miles southwest of Hebron.

a20:1-18►

b12:10-20►

c21►

dEzra 9:1-4►

eNeh 13:23-27►

fMal 2:10-17►

gExod 20:14►

h17►

iLev 20:10►

j21:13-15►

k20:1►

‏ Genesis 20:1

Summary for Gen 20:1-18: 20:1-18 ^a This second “sister story” in Genesis (cp. 12:10-20 ^b) occurred shortly before Sarah became pregnant with Isaac (ch 21 ^c). On both occasions, God protected Abraham and Sarah’s marriage in purity for the sake of the covenant promises. Participation in God’s plan requires separation from worldly corruption.

• This story took place in the Promised Land; it showed Israel how God intervened in people’s lives to fulfill his plan, how God continued to protect them against threats from other tribes, and how God used his chosen people to mediate his relationship with the nations.

• God’s preventing the destruction of Abraham’s marriage by adultery reminded the Israelites to keep their marriages morally and racially pure (Ezra 9:1-4 ^d; Neh 13:23-27 ^e; Mal 2:10-17 ^f); they should not allow any opportunity for temptation (Exod 20:14 ^g, 17 ^h; Lev 20:10 ⁱ; 21:13-15 ^j). Adultery would eventually destroy the covenant and the covenant people. 20:1 ^k Gerar was near the coast in Philistine land, about twelve miles south of Gaza and fifty miles southwest of Hebron.