A covenant is a promise and so much more. What happens if you make an agreement with someone — but it’s only one way? Well, to my mind, Abraham made a one way covenant with Abimelech, and if that’s accurate, it’s clear the results have been a long lasting disaster.
Preparing the Bride for GOD’s Story
How do we prepare as the Bride of Christ? One aspect is to learn GOD’S STORY. He created us in His image…. Piece by piece, and peace by peace, we learn to walk as He has walked. And we learn His perspective.
Genesis 21:22-33
“And it came to pass at that time that Abimelech and Phichol, the commander of his army, spoke to Abraham, saying, “God is with you in all that you do. Now therefore, swear to me by God that you will not deal falsely with me, with my offspring, or with my posterity; but that according to the kindness that I have done to you, you will do to me and to the land in which you have dwelt.”
“And Abraham said, “I will swear.”
“Then Abraham rebuked Abimelech because of a well of water which Abimelech’s servants had seized. And Abimelech said, “I do not know who has done this thing; you did not tell me, nor had I heard of it until today.” So Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them to Abimelech, and the two of them made a covenant. And Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves.
“Then Abimelech asked Abraham, “What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs which you have set by themselves?”
“And he said, “You will take these seven ewe lambs from my hand, that they may be my witness that I have dug this well.” Therefore he called that place Beersheba, because the two of them swore an oath there.
“Thus they made a covenant at Beersheba. So Abimelech rose with Phichol, the commander of his army, and they returned to the land of the Philistines. Then Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there called on the name of the Lord, the Everlasting God. And Abraham stayed in the land of the Philistines many days.”
Staying in GOD’s Will
Walking intimately with GOD as Abraham did, I find it surprising that he would make a pledge with another man. But isn’t it like all of us to forget to follow and sometimes to take our own lead? It was the path that Adam took. We see Abraham take it. Samson. David did. And on and on throughout Jewish history… so many others.
We all at some point forget to stay close to GOD. Believers who carry the Holy Spirit within us, can stray onto our own paths. How much more help have we got and yet, sometimes we do forget to stick close to GOD.
When we make our own plans
When Sarah told Abraham to take Hagar as his wife, the family consequences were huge!
Well, in Genesis 21, we see Abraham make a covenant with King Abimelech — an everlasting promise — not to deal falsely with him. And the long term consequences have been a never ending conflict between Abraham and his people against Abimelech and his… David battled the Philistine Goliath. And even today, there are those who say the Palestinians are descended from the Philistines. This I don’t necessarily prescribe to; but, the land of the Philistines in Bible history sat where Gaza does now.
Do not swear
So, where did Abraham go wrong?
Advice from James is as follows,
“But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment.” (James 5:12)
The principle comes from Jesus’ own words. Jesus taught,
“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.” (Matthew 5:33-35)
So, Abraham made a big mistake in judgment when he pledged an oath to Abimelech; the price has been paid over and again, first by the Hebrews and now by the Jews. And so have many, many suffered along the way, Jew and Gentile alike.
And now we have been clearly instructed: do not take an oath with anyone unless you really mean it.
A covenant is unbreakable
GOD made a covenant with Abraham and He has never broken it.
GOD makes a covenant with every believer and He never wants us to break with him.
Marriage is a covenant. When it is broken it is catastrophic, causing disillusionment and pain to couples, families, children. GOD designed that marriage be unbreakable.
The Lesson
May we learn to let our yes be yes, our no be no, and tread carefully when considering to make any promise to anyone, weighing up the long term possible consequences.
Our words matter. So, let us speak wisely! I pray this for myself and we pray for all. Amen.