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Abraham & Abimelech
The Well of the Oath
Now after seeing what Abraham was doing, the king asked Abraham: "What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs you have set apart by themselves?" And after hearing the king's question, Abraham responded by saying: "Accept these seven lambs from my hand as a witness that I dug this water-well."
(Bible Study Online Article Covers : Genesis 21:22-34)
Short Recap?
In the last article, we were able to follow the events of Hagar and Ishmael more closely after Abraham sent the two out into the wilderness. This was done after Abraham had decided to side with his wife, Sarah, by carrying out her demands. The Sacred Record also revealed how Hagar had to deal with Ishmael's near-death experience after their food supplies had diminished and their supply of water had entirely run out.
It was at this time that Hagar felt helpless in helping her son, which in turn caused her to become very upset. However, it would also be at this time that God would soon step in. For the Lord was determined to keep His promise to both Abraham and Hagar when it came to Ishmael:
God's Promise to Abraham
"Do not be so distressed about the boy [Ishmael] and your maidservant. Listen to whatever Sarah tells you, because it is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned. I will make the son of the maidservant into a nation also, because he is your [Abraham's] offspring." -- Genesis 21:12,13
God's Promise to Hagar
"God heard the boy [Ishmael] crying and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, 'What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation.'" -- Genesis 21:17-18
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Abraham and Abimelech
Confrontation Between their Camps?
However, we now begin to move forward. The Sacred Record would reveal that some time had passed. And it's at this point that we find Abraham's camp had some run-ins with some of Abimelech's servants. Understand that this spat involved a situation related to a water well that both camps had access to. However, it wouldn't be long before Abimelech's servants would end up claiming possession of the water well from Abraham's camp. And to make matters worse, Abimelech's servants would do this through tactics that involved force and intimidation
Now, understand that this didn't sit well with Abraham, and because of this situation, he would become distraught with Abimelech's camp. Now, it's possible to assume that Abimelech did not know or had given his servants specific orders when it came to claiming possession of the water well. Now, the reason why I'm suggesting that he didn't know deals with the way Abimelech had reacted to the situation. For we find that it was Abimelech coming to resolve this matter with Abraham. And not the other way around:
"...God is with you in everything that you do. Now swear to me here before God that you will not deal falsely with me or my children or my descendants..." -- (Genesis 22-23)
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Abimelech & Abraham's History
And on top of this, Abimelech didn't forget what had happened when, some time ago, Abraham had first entered his Philistine town and district. It was at that time that Abimelech had decided to take Abraham's wife, Sarah, against her will to make her his very own. And although Abraham deceived Abimelech into thinking that Sarah was his sister and not his wife. In the end, God had still found the Philistine king guilty of taking Sarah against her will.
Needless to say, God was not pleased with what Abimelech intended to do with Sarah. And this is why the Lord ended up visiting the Philistine king in a dream. It was also at this time that the Lord made it very clear to Abimelech that Sarah was to be unharmed and returned to Abraham immediately.
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If You Cross Abraham
You Cross God
Know that God also made it clear to Abimelech that He was very serious in His demands. God would prove this to the king by striking him with a disease that would have eventually ended his life. But God wasn't done, for He also made all the women in Abimelech's household barren as well, which prevented them from bearing any more children.
Now, it would take Abraham interceding with the Almighty God on Abimelech's behalf for the dire physical conditions to be removed from the king and the women in his household. Also, it was at this time that God had indicated to Abimelech that Abraham was His prophet, and it wouldn't be wise for the king to go against him.
These are the reasons why I believe the account of this meeting, which is now happening between Abimelech and Abraham, began the way it did.
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Abraham Makes A Promised
Now, as we turn our attention back towards the confrontation that had taken place between the camps of Abimelech and Abraham, know that Abimelech and Phicol, the commander of his forces, had a meeting with Abraham. And it would be at this time that we find Abimelech telling Abraham:
"God is with you in everything that you do. Now swear to me here before God that you will not deal falsely with me or my children or my descendants. Show to me and the country where you are living as an alien the same kindness I have shown to you." -- Genesis 21:22,23
Now, after hearing this, Abraham agreed by promising to uphold Abimelech's request. However, it's also known that at this time, Abraham would start complaining about the water well that Abimelech's servants had pushed Abraham's camp away from by forcibly claiming possession of it.
Now, after hearing this, Abimelech would reply to Abraham by saying: "I don't know who has done this. You did not tell me, and I heard about it only today." So perhaps this would explain why, earlier, he had Abraham promise that he would not have any harm brought against him or his family. Be that as it may, in the meantime, we now find Abraham bringing Abimelech some sheep and cattle to give to him as gifts. Now, keep in mind that these gifts would become part of the treaty that the two men had made between each other earlier.
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Why The Seven Ewe Lambs?
But know that Abraham would go a step further by separating the seven ewe lambs from his overall gift to Abimelech. Now, after seeing what Abraham was doing, the king asked Abraham: "What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs you have set apart by themselves?" After hearing the king's question, Abraham responded by saying: "Accept these seven lambs from my hand as a witness that I dug this water well."
So Abimelech would accept the seven ewe lambs as confirmation from the king that Abraham had indeed dug that water well. From this point forward, the place was now known as "Beersheba the Well of the Oath." Nonetheless, after the treaty had been made at Beersheba, Abimelech and Phicol, the commander of his forces, returned to the land of the Philistines. And a short while later, we find Abraham planting a grove in that place, and it's there he would call on the name of the Lord.
Now, Abraham was doing this because he was appreciative of the fact that God had, once again, shown him a favor, for the Lord had blessed him with a high-level, royal friendship with Abimelech. And because of this friendship and favor, Abraham would reside in the land of the Philistines for quite a while.
In the next Bible Study Online Article:
We have just discovered the oath that Abraham and Abimelech made with each other at a particular water well in the land of Beersheba. And because of this oath, this particular water well will be known as "Beersheba the Well of the Oath." However, we now move forward, and it's at this time that we find God giving Abraham another challenging faith test. Hmm, I wonder how Abraham will do this time around?
May God blessings be upon you, and thank you for your support
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The Sons of God - The Daughters of Men
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Jacob - The Path of Uncertainty
16) Abimelech Angry with Abraham
18) Hagar & Ishmael - Sent Away
Added to Page 19) Hagar the Mother of a Great Nation
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21) Abraham & The Great Sacrifice
25) Rebekah gets Permission to Leave
28) The Twelve Rulers of Ishmael
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