The Promise Fulfilled

Genesis 20 & 21:1-7

It’s a talk of two halves!

Abraham’s experience to date

• God’s covenant– I am your shield.. You will go to your fathers in

peace

• Covenant confirmed and the promise of a son

• Angelic visitors: promise of a son confirmed• Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah

…but not enough to quell his fear

God’s trial of Abimelech

You’re as good as dead!She’s married

Will you destroy the innocent?

My conscience is clear

I have kept you from sin.Return her

Abraham and Abimelech

What have you done?

How have I wronged you?

Why did you do it?

I was afraid of this place

What I said was half true

This is what we say everywhere

The outcome

• Abimelech gives generous gifts to Abraham

• Sarah is returned, untouched and with her reputation restored

• Abraham prays for healing• Abimelech’s household is restored

Abraham remembered for Faith

Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead…and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being full persuaded that god had power to do what he had promised. This is why it was ‘credited to him as righteousness’Romans 4: 19-22

Our hope of righteousness

The words ‘it was credited to him’ were written not for him alone, but for us, to whom God will credit righteousness – for us who believe in him who raised our Lord Jesus from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins, and was raised to life for our justification.Romans 4: 23-25

Fear of God?

‘There is surely no fear of God in this place…

?

The birth of Isaac

The promise fulfilled