Genesis 20: Abraham Deceives Abimelech
Abraham travels and encounters Abimelech, king of Gerar. Abimelech takes a shine to Sarah because Abraham lets it be known that she is his sister, not wife. This results in the intervention of God who curses Abimelech and his family and who appears in a dream to Abimelech to let him know the truth of the matter. Abimelech is a pretty righteous man and God gives him a break. Abimelech reproaches Abraham and Sarah but gives them gifts. As a result, God backs down on his curse of Abimelech.
Fear inevitably leads to sin and death and not necessarily our own but to those of ones around us. Abraham got caught out but would not even own up to his deception. He even blames God by saying, “He caused me to wander from my father’s house.” And even to Sarah he says, “be kind to me by lying about our relationship”. After Abimelech finds out the truth then Abraham resorts to, “well, she IS my sister”.
Abimelech is sorry for his mistake, gives gifts all around, even coins for a veil for Sarah so that others will not see her face (Is she still beautiful even in her 90s?) and make the same mistake. Perhaps God even inspired Abimelech to do this to stop Abraham and Sarah from continuing this deception. Abimelech is then forgiven by God and blessed with children again.
We can again see that God can be reasoned with even by a pagan such as Abimelech. And He puts up with our fears and human foibles.
Thank you Father for your long-suffering patience with me. Sometimes, because I fear those around me, I resort to dissimulation and pretense. Forgive me and correct me Father and restrain your anger.