Genesis 20-21
We all make mistakes - make really poor choices - that will affect others negatively. But, somehow God can fix the messes for us - turn them around - and bless us richly.
Wandering around in questionable territory, Abraham's wife is taken by King Abimelech to be his wife. Abimelech doesn't know she's married to Abraham - Sarah covered up the marriage to protect Abraham. It's a favorite story because it shows Abraham's propensity to protect himself - willing to give his wife to another man - so that he will remain safe. It shows his weakness; yet, he is still one of God's favored ones. Seems like a pretty messy situation to me. Yet, God manages to use it so that everything is worked out for the good of both Abraham and Abimelech. They both end up blessed. And... Sarah gets to go back to her husband, Abraham. Not so sure if I'd want to go back to a husband who just gave me away. But, those were different times and places.
She not only goes back, but the Lord blesses her and she has a son, Isaac, for Abraham. She is overjoyed with Isaac's birth while a bit (a lot) jealous over Ishamael, the first-born son, that Hagar, her maid-servant, had for Abraham. At Sarah's request and with God's approval, Abraham sends his first-born and mother out into the wilderness where Ishmael almost dies from hunger and thirst. But, the Lord saves them.
Lots of wilderness in these stories, but more importantly, I think, is that the Lord manages to bless just about everyone. What appears to be a bad thing turns out for the good. And so it is in many of our own lives. Sometimes our lives get pretty messy. We struggle with fear and with jealousy. We may feel like we're lost and alone. But, God is with us working all things out for the good of those whom he chooses to favor. We don't deserve to be blessed, we just find (sometimes with time) that we are.
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