It is not certain whether the word “Then” at the beginning of verse 1 is actually the use of an adverb that depicts a meaning of ‘after everything in chapter 20 occurred, then what follows here occurred’. It may simply be that this “Then” is not a sequential adverb at all, but rather one that just takes the reader’s attention back to what God had promised to do for Sarah. For all we know, Sarah may have been pregnant at the time that Abimelech took her and the beauty in her that attracted him may have stemmed from the radiance that pregnancy often bestows upon an expectant mother. On the other hand, the very definitive phrase “So Sarah conceived” that starts off the second sentence in our passage seems to support the sequential interpretation – that is, that Sarah did not get pregnant until after the incident with Abimelech.
The important thing is that the Lord considered Sarah and did for her as He had promised. Sarah conceives and bares the aged Abraham a son. And here’s the bonus – the text says it all happened “at the appointed time of which God had spoken to him” about. Not only did God do what He said He would do. Not only was it a big surprise and out of the ordinary given both Abraham’s and Sarah’s ages. Not only were they forgiven for their wrongdoings. Not only did everything happen in God’s appointed time. But, it all took place just as God had said it would.
Here are the implications for us from these two short verses: God cares. God makes us promises (either directly or through His word). God keeps His promises. He can do the supernatural. He forgives our sins. He does things on His time. And if we listen, He often tells us what He will do. Abraham’s and Sarah’s God is your God and mine.
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