Abraham Deflects to Save Himself

     Sarah, the princess, future mother of the nations, scheduled to birth Abraham's son, the first of many descendants, is in the hands of Abimelech, king of Gerar. What can her husband, a fellow human being, do about it?

     We all need God, at times more than others. Here, God saved the covenant himself by scaring Abimelech in a dream. He took another man's wife (unknowingly). God had not let the king touch her.  

     The next morning, Abimelech summoned his officials and called Abraham in. He read the riot act: "How could you...?" Then he cooled down and gave Abraham cattle, slaves and silver "to cover his offense" against Sarah. 

     Genesis 21: "Now the Lord was gracious to Sarah...and did for Sarah what he had promised. Sarah bore a son to Abraham at the very time God had promised him."

     "Sarah said, 'God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.'" 

     They stayed in the land of the Philistines for a long time. Happy days.

Next: The curtain rises on the last act. 

Isaac, then probably a young adult.