God intervened to protect Sarah and the promised covenant son, Isaac, because Satan was seeking to thwart God's plan of redemption.
Abraham's fear led him to 'fence dwell' in Gerar, on the border of Egypt, and Les says the power of Satan was so strong that Sarah almost lost out. God had already told Abraham that Sarah, not Hagar, would bear Isaac, and He would not let that promise fail. The clip evidence focuses on this redemptive reason rather than the details of the dream itself.
Genesis 17:19 — God's covenant promise that Sarah would bear Isaac is the reason Sarah's safety in the Abimelech episode mattered.
In the passages quoted in the lessons, God makes an unconditional promise about Sarah and Isaac. When Abraham fell on his face and laughed, asking how a child could be born to a hundred-year-old man and a ninety-year-old woman, God answered directly: 'Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him' (Genesis 17:19). Earlier, when Abraham pleaded 'O that Ishmael might live before thee,' God refused to put Ishmael in the place of the promised son. The covenant would be with Isaac. At the same time, God did not cast off Ishmael; He promised to make him fruitful and to multiply him exceedingly, with twelve princes to come from him (Genesis 17:20). These verses show that Sarah's safety was not merely a personal matter. The birth of Isaac was the hinge of God's covenant purpose, and the protection of Sarah was the protection of that promise.
Les places Genesis 20 in the middle of a long, satanically inspired campaign against God's redemption plan. He points to Herod's slaughter of the infants and Haman's decree against the Jews as other examples. In Genesis 20, Abraham—although a man of faith—was under such satanic pressure that 'we just about see Sarah lose out' (Clip 0). Abraham stopped short of Egypt and settled in Gerar, a border town, which Les calls 'fence dwelling'—a picture of Christians who want one foot in the world and one in the things of God. Les emphasizes that this was no ordinary family crisis. God had sovereignly promised that Sarah would bear Isaac, and Isaac would be the son of promise. Abraham kept suggesting Ishmael, but God's 'I will' stood (Clip 2). In Clip 6, Les repeats that 'what God promises, He is not going to let fail.' Therefore, when Sarah's position was threatened in Abimelech's household, God intervened to keep the promised line intact.
Abraham journeyed toward the south country and sojourned in Gerar, which Les describes as a border town between Canaan and Egypt. Abraham had learned his lesson about going into Egypt, but he still got as close as he could. Les calls this 'fence dwelling' and compares it to Christians who want one foot in the world while keeping one in the things of God.
God told Abraham plainly that Sarah his wife, not the slave girl Hagar, would bear the promised son, and that his name would be called Isaac. Abraham asked 'O that Ishmael might live before thee,' but God made it clear that His covenant would be with Isaac. Because Abraham was nearing one hundred and Sarah was nearing ninety, the birth was humanly impossible, yet God's promise stood. This is why Les calls Isaac 'a promised son.'
Les shows a biblical pattern: Satan inspired Herod to kill the boy babies to remove the Messiah, inspired Haman to annihilate the Jewish people, and in Genesis 20 used Abraham's fear to put Sarah in danger. In every case, God's plan of redemption was the target.
Satanic Opposition in Genesis 20
Les explains that Abraham's 'fence dwelling' in Gerar opened the door for satanic pressure that nearly cost Sarah her place in the covenant, making divine intervention necessary.
Abraham's Age and the Impossible Birth
Les notes that Abraham is 99 and Sarah will need nine months of gestation, making the promised birth humanly impossible and showing why God's intervention was essential.
Sarah, Not Hagar, Bears the Promised Son
Les stresses that God's covenant promise was attached to Isaac, the son Sarah would bear, which is why Sarah had to be protected in the Abimelech episode.
The Birthright Explained: Why God Chose Jacob Over Esau
Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him who is a hundred years old? Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear? And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael may live before thee. Now look what God said in verse 19. Thy wife Sarah shall bear thee a son indeed, and thou shalt call his name Isaac. Now here it is, underline it, mark it down.
8 Privileges God Gave Only to Israel — Romans 9:4 Explained
And this also becomes intrinsic to another verse a little later in Romans 9. Genesis 17, verse 15. And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah. I will bless her, give thee a son of her. Verse 17.
Who is the Angel of the Lord? Genesis 16 Bible Study
She's going to go back to Abram and Sarai. But now the Lord makes some statements. Remember it's the sovereign God Himself who is speaking, and now in verse 10, verse 11, "...the angel of the Lord said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude." Verse 11, the angel of the Lord continues, and he says, "...
God's Promise Cannot Fail
Les teaches that God will not let His promises fail, so the threat to Sarah could not be allowed to derail the coming of Isaac.
Noah’s Ark & Your Salvation: A Deep Bible Study on Eternal Security
Now here I go chasing rabbits, I'm sorry, but you'll remember that Hagar was now pregnant, and she was causing such a problem in the home that finally Sarai, and that was before the name was changed, Sarai finally said what? Abraham, get her out of here. I can't stand it. And so Abraham did. But who came on the scene and says, now you go back to Sarah's tent? God did. God did.
Genesis 17:19: And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.
God's direct promise that Sarah would bear Isaac, showing why Sarah's protection mattered.
Genesis 17:17: Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?
Abraham's human doubt highlights the miraculous nature of the promise.
Genesis 17:20: And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.
God also blessed Ishmael, but the covenant line would still run through Isaac.
Genesis 16:11: And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction.
God sovereignly named Ishmael before birth, demonstrating His control over the family history.
Abraham sojourned in Gerar, a border town between Canaan and Egypt. He had learned not to go to Egypt, but he got as close as he could. Les compares this to Christians who want one foot in the world and one foot in the things of God.
God had said, 'Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac,' and He promised to establish His covenant with him. When Abraham suggested Ishmael, God made it clear the covenant would be with Isaac.
No. Les emphasizes that what God promises He will not let fail. The satanic attacks throughout history, including Genesis 20, could not stop the promised son from coming.
Watch the Teaching: Abraham, Sarah, and the Allegory of Law vs. Grace | Genesis 20-21