Genesis 21:22-24 (ESV) (A Treaty with Abimelech)
At that time Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his army said to Abraham, “God is with you in all that you do. Now therefore swear to me here by God that you will not deal falsely with me or with my descendants or with my posterity, but as I have dealt kindly with you, so you will deal with me and with the land where you have sojourned.” And Abraham said, “I will swear.”
When you make a contract with world, mutual respect can go a long way. In the above passage we have the introduction of Abraham and his contract with two of the local power, Abimelech and his army leader, Phicol. In chapter 20 we read that Abraham had wandered into Abimelech’s territory. Out of fear, Abraham told Sarah, his wife, to say she was his sister, least they kill Abraham and take Sarah. When Abimelech almost does take Sarah for his sexual pleasure, but God intervenes. Abimelech, instead, gives Abraham sheep and oxen and sends him on his way (Genesis 20:1-18). So, in one respect, Abimelech is responsible for making Abraham a rich and powerful man. But, it was God’s hand upon Abraham that made Abimelech and Phicol want to sign a contract of agreement with him. When God’s hand is upon us, the world will see it, if we allow ourselves to be used by God. The world will approach US, as did Abimelech and Phicol, and want to make treaties with us. It is when they don’t think we have the power of God in our lives that they tend to want to think they can conquer us. Isn’t it interesting that the Queen of Sheba SOUGHT out Solomon because they heard of his wisdom (1 Kings 10). When we walk with God and fear God we can walk in confidence that God will make even our enemies be at peace with us. Just ask Solomon:
Proverbs 16:7 (ESV)
When a man's ways please the LORD,
he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
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