“Abimelech took sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and womenservants, and gave them unto Abraham, and restored him Sarah his wife” (Gen 20:14).
We don’t read of God appearing to Abimelech as He did to Abraham, or of Abimelech performing mighty miracles as Elijah and Elisha did. Nevertheless, in many respects Abimelech was much greater than Abraham, Elijah and Elisha.
In the face of the mendacity of Abraham and Sarah, which could well have led him and his righteous nation into sin, Abimelech showes no sign of malice; only of benevolence. “Love worketh no ill to his neighbour” (Rom 13:10). Abimelech could have ordered Abraham and Sarah to leave his country declaring, “We do not want such hypocrites and false prophets troubling us in our land.” Had he done so? it would have been justifiable. But instead, Abimelech just gave them gifts! Jesus taught that one ought to love one’s enemies, but we find no one in the entire Bible practising it such an outstanding way.
Abimelech is not known as a saint. His name doesn’t appear in the table of heroes in the 11th chapter of Hebrews. Nevertheless, his character shines out through all ages.
The people we think insignificant in saintliness often have more divine natures than the greatest of saints. Heaven is a place of surprises, it is said. How many unexpected people we are going to meet in heaven, we do not know. So dear child of God, let us not despise anyone but rather love everyone and live peacefully with all.
– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion
In the face of the mendacity of Abraham and Sarah, which could well have led him and his righteous nation into sin, Abimelech showes no sign of malice; only of benevolence. “Love worketh no ill to his neighbour” (Rom 13:10). Abimelech could have ordered Abraham and Sarah to leave his country declaring, “We do not want such hypocrites and false prophets troubling us in our land.” Had he done so? it would have been justifiable. But instead, Abimelech just gave them gifts! Jesus taught that one ought to love one’s enemies, but we find no one in the entire Bible practising it such an outstanding way.
Abimelech is not known as a saint. His name doesn’t appear in the table of heroes in the 11th chapter of Hebrews. Nevertheless, his character shines out through all ages.
The people we think insignificant in saintliness often have more divine natures than the greatest of saints. Heaven is a place of surprises, it is said. How many unexpected people we are going to meet in heaven, we do not know. So dear child of God, let us not despise anyone but rather love everyone and live peacefully with all.
– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion
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