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Today our text, reflecting on Jesus\u2019 words from Mark 9 about those who might not be as \u201cagainst us\u201d as we might presume, comes from Genesis 20:1-18.\xa0

May God bless you as you hear his word.

Now Abraham moved on from there into the region of the Negev and lived between Kadesh and Shur. For a while he stayed in Gerar, and there Abraham said of his wife Sarah, \u201cShe is my sister.\u201d Then Abimelek king of Gerar sent for Sarah and took her.

But God came to Abimelek in a dream one night and said to him, \u201cYou are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken; she is a married woman.\u201d

Now Abimelek had not gone near her, so he said, \u201cLord, will you destroy an innocent nation? Did he not say to me, \u2018She is my sister,\u2019 and didn\u2019t she also say, \u2018He is my brother\u2019? I have done this with a clear conscience and clean hands.\u201d

Then God said to him in the dream, \u201cYes, I know you did this with a clear conscience, and so I have kept you from sinning against me. That is why I did not let you touch her. Now return the man\u2019s wife, for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you will live. But if you do not return her, you may be sure that you and all who belong to you will die.\u201d

Early the next morning Abimelek summoned all his officials, and when he told them all that had happened, they were very much afraid. Then Abimelek called Abraham in and said, \u201cWhat have you done to us? How have I wronged you that you have brought such great guilt upon me and my kingdom? You have done things to me that should never be done.\u201d And Abimelek asked Abraham, \u201cWhat was your reason for doing this?\u201d

Abraham replied, \u201cI said to myself, \u2018There is surely no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.\u2019 Besides, she really is my sister, the daughter of my father though not of my mother; and she became my wife. And when God had me wander from my father\u2019s household, I said to her, \u2018This is how you can show your love to me: Everywhere we go, say of me, \u201cHe is my brother.\u201d\u2019\u201d

Then Abimelek brought sheep and cattle and male and female slaves and gave them to Abraham, and he returned Sarah his wife to him. And Abimelek said, \u201cMy land is before you; live wherever you like.\u201d\xa0

To Sarah he said, \u201cI am giving your brother a thousand shekels of silver. This is to cover the offense against you before all who are with you; you are completely vindicated.\u201d

Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelek, his wife and his female slaves so they could have children again, for the Lord had kept all the women in Abimelek\u2019s household from conceiving because of Abraham\u2019s wife Sarah.

This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

As you journey on, go with the blessing of God: \xa0 \xa0

Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping,
That awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep rest in his peace.
May Almighty God bless, preserve, and keep us, this day and forevermore.\xa0
Amen.

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